A foreign ministers’ meeting on Haiti on January 21, 2022 will be chaired by Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, informs a press release from the Office of Canada’s Chief of Diplomacy dated January 18, 2022.

This virtual gathering will allow the international community to demonstrate their commitment to supporting Haiti as the country faces several critical issues, including growing insecurity. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry will open the meeting, the Ottawa announcement said.

“The meeting will bring together Haitian officials, foreign ministers from like-minded democracies and representatives of multilateral organizations including the United Nations, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the International Organization of Francophonie and the Organization of American States (OAS) to discuss lasting and comprehensive solutions for the challenges facing Haiti and Haitians,” reads the press release, which states that Minister Joly will be accompanied by Secretary of State for International Development and Minister for Canada’s Pacific Economic Development Agency, Harjit S. Sayyan.

“Together they will emphasize the importance of regional and international cooperation in support of Haiti. They will also discuss the need to increase coordinated security efforts and support an inclusive political process and sustainable development,” the document, released to the public, reads.

“Canada and Haiti have long shared a deep friendship and close cooperation. As a longtime friend and partner, Canada stands ready to support Haiti’s solutions to the country’s most pressing problems and remains committed to helping Haiti advance a more democratic, secure and prosperous future. »

On Canadian-Haitian Relations

Canada and Haiti officially established diplomatic relations in 1954 and have maintained close diplomatic ties ever since.

Over the years, ties between the two countries have been cemented by their geographic proximity, French as a common language, the growth of a large Haitian community in Canada (which now numbers more than 165,000 people), and the continued presence of Canadian development agencies in Haiti.

Canada and Haiti work together in international organizations including the UN, OAS, CARICOM and La Francophonie.

For nearly 30 years, Canada has contributed to every United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti to support stabilization and reconstruction efforts. This contribution includes the financial support and commitment of members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as corrections officers.

Since the 2010 earthquake that struck Haiti, the Canadian government has allocated US$1.8 billion to Haiti. Canada is the second largest bilateral donor to Haiti after the United States. Currently, Canada has approximately $89 million in annual development assistance to Haiti, making Haiti the largest recipient of Canadian aid in the Americas.