The Honourable Peter Mackay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages, today announced that Canada will host the 38th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), in Halifax, Nova Scotia in May 2008. The announcement was made at this year’s meeting of the Board of Governors in Caracas, Venezuela.



Minister MacKay is Governor for Canada of the CDB.



“Canada is honoured to host the Board of Governors of the CDB, in our new capacity as Chair,” said Minister MacKay. “I am proud that we are one of the largest contributors to the Bank. It is a major force for economic development and regional integration, targeting systematic reduction of poverty in the Caribbean. This is an important opportunity for Canada to work with our Caribbean partners on issues of common interest and value.”



“Canada supports the increasing policy leadership role of the CDB, which is paving the way to reducing poverty in the Caribbean,” said Minister Verner. “We are particularly pleased that Haiti is now a full member of the Bank.”



The Board of Governors is the highest policy-making body of the CDB. At the Annual Meeting, the Bank and the governors review results, future challenges and goals to ensure that the institution continues to be a constructive, effective and sustainable partner in the region. The meeting is also an occasion for the international community to come together and discuss the development issues pertinent to the Caribbean region.