Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, will be in Barbados for the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Trudeau announced on Tuesday he would be here on February 17 and 18 to participate in the conference and build even stronger ties with the region.
A release from the Government of Canada said the Caribbean region and Caribbean states remain “important political, economic and cultural partners” and the visit will strengthen the partnership. It said Trudeau would discuss “challenges of mutual interest, including protecting oceans and the environment in the fight against climate change – in a region that is particularly vulnerable to its impacts –  as well as creating good jobs for the middle class and sustainable economic growth”.

He will also take part in bilateral talks. Prime Minister Mia Mottley is the current chairman of CARICOM and host of the meeting, which will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

The release also added as Canada pursues its candidacy for election to the United Nations Security Council in 2021-2022, it will “continue to advance shared interests to benefit people and businesses in Canada, the Caribbean, and around the world”.

“Canada and Caribbean countries have always had strong relationships and almost one million people of Caribbean descent live in Canada. These relationships are based on shared values and partnerships in the fight against climate change, the promotion of democracy, trade, economic growth and security. Look forward to meeting the leaders of CARICOM to discuss how we can work together to strengthen the Caribbean, and build a better world,” Trudeau said. (PR/SAT)