Under the theme “Strategic Partners for a Resilient Future,” the Canadian leader and CARICOM presidents will promote shared priorities, including building inclusive and sustainable economies, increasing trade and investment, and promoting multilateral collaboration, according to the statement. The press release added that participants will also discuss issues related to climate change and its impacts on the Caribbean, and ways to improve access to financing for small island developing States.

During the Summit, the Canadian prime minister “will highlight the importance of reinforcing democratic values, promoting human rights and a rule-based international order, and strengthening coordination on regional security issues, including the response to the political and humanitarian crisis in Haiti.”

Finally, the leaders will meet with Canadian business leaders and investors to expand business opportunities in the region, he said.

“Canada and the Caribbean Community have built an enduring partnership over the past 50 years (…) At this Summit and in the future, we will continue to work together to take climate action, build strong economies and keep people safe, now and in the future,” Trudeau said about the meeting, which will be co-chaired by Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica, the country that is leading CARICOM.

According to the source, bilateral trade of goods between Canada and the regional bloc reached 1.8 billion dollars in 2022.

Meanwhile, bilateral trade in services totaled 3.9 billion dollars in 2021.

In addition, more than two million Canadians travel to CARICOM countries every year, while more than 10,000 students from the CARICOM countries study in Canada annually.

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