The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, concluded her participation in the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Panama.
While there, she delivered Canada's national statement, reinforcing Canada's commitment to democracy, its support for security in the Americas and its objective of advancing shared prosperity and resilience. She also met with international counterparts, including Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, Panama's Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mauro Vieira, Brazil's Minister of Foreign Affairs; Roberto Velasco Álvarez, Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs; and Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the OAS.
Minister Anand announced a total of $35.3 million in funding to help support security and stability in the Americas, including to reinforce the Gang Suppression Force in Haiti, support maritime security and the dismantling of organized crime networks, advance the peace process in Colombia and provide additional assistance for Hurricane Melissa disaster relief.
During the General Assembly, the Minister also announced Canada's ratification of the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women (known as the Convention of Belém do Pará).
On the margins of the General Assembly, she co-chaired a meeting with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), where ministers jointly launched a renewed action plan, building on the 2023 Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership, and advanced key priorities, including regional security and stability, competitive and resilient economies and climate action.
Minister Anand also met with Canadian embassy staff in Panama, whose work has been essential to strengthening Canada-Panama relations and advancing cooperation on trade, security and regional development.
