Speaking Notes for the Honorable Beverley J.Oda - The Canadian Statement to the Caribbean Development Bank Annual General Meeting

Halifax, Nova Scotia
Wednesday, May 28, 2008

• President Bourne of the Caribbean Development Bank, Honourable Governors, Ladies and Gentlemen.
• As I said this morning, I am very pleased that you and your delegations have been able to join us in Halifax.
• As you know, Canada and the Caribbean Development Bank have a long relationship.
• We take great pride in our relationship with the Bank and with the region as a whole.
• We see the CDB as an important partner in our effort to make our development assistance in the Caribbean more effective, accountable, and more results-oriented.
• In this respect, I would like to commend the CDB on your achievements over the past years, under the leadership of President Bourne.
• First, we've seen the new membership of Haiti to the Bank, and recent progress on the development and implementation of an operational strategy for that country.
• We encourage the CDB to maintain this momentum.
• The needs in Haiti are vast and we need to work together effectively.
• Canada would also like to welcome Brazil.
• Let me again congratulate the Bank on its momentum in attracting new membership. Canada is very pleased with the enthusiasm with which the Bank has addressed key issues such as poverty reduction, equality between men and women, and environmental sustainability.
• These are all priorities that Canada shares.
• And, Canada is very proud of the Bank's successful flagship poverty-reduction initiative: the Basic Needs Trust Fund.
• Canada has supported the Fund since 2001 and provided $38 million to help transform it into a program with strong local ownership.
• At the community level, these local groups are making a difference.
• And, we would like to acknowledge the progress being made on the reorganization of the Bank.
• This reorganization will allow the CDB to be more accountable, as it aligns itself with the priorities of its member countries.
• Mr. Chairman, I would now like to speak briefly about the priorities and future direction of the CDB.
• Canada fully supports the current strategic priorities of the Bank and its focus on economic growth, inclusive social development, good governance, and regional cooperation and integration.
• We anticipate that the Bank will continue to move in these directions, while creating a vision of where it wants to be within the region in the next 15 to 20 years.
• We believe that the cornerstone of this vision is that the Bank must be strategic.
• It should work in those areas where it can add value and make the most impact.
• In my view, focusing on our strategic priorities is essential to ensure that the CDB is efficient and effective in achieving results on the ground.
• And the Bank's strategic focus will serve as an example of how the cohesion, effectiveness and accountability of the inter-American system can be improved.
• The priorities that the CDB has identified also align closely with the pillars of Canada's strategy of enhanced engagement in the Americas.
• In the Caribbean region we will focus in three main areas.
• We will continue to support regional cooperation, in an effort to facilitate economic renewal and help the region to adapt to a single market that will improve trade and competitiveness.
• We will work to improve democratic governance and create more accountable public institutions.
• And we will expand opportunities by training a new generation of Caribbean leaders, through strengthening vocational training programs for young people so that at-risk youth will gain the skills they need to find a job.
• Before closing, I would like to say a few words about the replenishment of Special Development Fund.
• I understand that the initial replenishment meeting in Belize was very positive, as were the discussions here yesterday.
• I would like to confirm that Canada is committed to working with the Bank and other member countries to ensure that we have a successful replenishment.
• I have asked my staff involved in these negotiations to keep me updated on your progress.
• I look forward to the successful completion of the process before the end of this year.
• Finally I would also like to thank you, President Bourne, and all the staff of the Bank for your tireless efforts and commitment on behalf of the people in the region.
• You are making a difference.
• Let me assure you once again that Canada will continue to work closely with the Caribbean Development Bank as one of our long-standing partners in the region.
• Thank you.