Ottawa – Canada’s partnership with the Caribbean region is rooted in our strong people-to-people ties and mutual goals to advance sustainable development, strengthen our relationship and reduce poverty.
At the 54th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), which was held from June 17 to 20, 2024, in Ottawa, Ontario, Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, and host and chair of the meeting, announced a total of $11.2 million in funding from Canada for economic development in the Caribbean.
During the meeting’s opening ceremony of the Board of Governors, Minister Hussen announced Canada’s contribution as follows:
The Inter-American Development Bank, a sister organization of the CDB, will receive $5 million for the project Compete Caribbean+. This project aims to enhance productivity and foster economic growth in the Caribbean by promoting private sector competitiveness and innovation.
The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica will receive $4.2 million for the project Jamaica Urban Solutions for the Environment (J-USE). This project will increase climate resilience through gender-responsive and nature-based solutions for urban areas vulnerable to storms and other climate hazards. J-USE will also mobilize funding from public and private sources to ensure long-term support.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will receive a $2-million top-up for the program Enhancing Quality, Access and Logistics of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (EQUAL SRHR). This program aims to improve the protection of women and girls in Guyana and in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly those who are Venezuelan migrants and their host communities, by increasing sexual and reproductive health and protection from gender-based violence.
During the meeting, Canada welcomed more than 300 participants from around the world. This meeting, the CDB’s flagship event, emphasized the importance of regional and international collaboration as a driving force for sustainable development.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of vocational training, especially for youths, echoing the recently announced $9.5 million in funding to support the One Guyana Digital Skills Development Programme. This program will provide more than 2,000 thousand young Guyanese, with skills and training for the digital economy.
Minister Hussen participated in several constructive bilateral discussions with global partners and hosted Board of Governors sessions on the topics of climate change, gender equality, economic growth, private sector engagement and financing and disaster preparedness. In addition, Anita Vandenbeld, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, participated in conversations focused on private sector mobilization, as well as in the meeting’s Youth Forum and Indigenous Peoples’ Forum.
“Canada and the Caribbean are long-standing partners, sharing vibrant communities, close business ties and shared development priorities. As the 2024 chair of the Board of Governors, Canada brought together members to tackle economic growth, address solutions for climate change and emphasize the importance of gender equality. We look forward to continuously strengthening our ties with the Caribbean region as together we chart a course toward a collaborative, prosperous and bright future.” – Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development