Canada welcomed the invitation for a strategic partnership with the Alliance for Development in Democracy, the regional block started by the Presidents of Panama, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic after meeting in September 2021 in the General Assembly of the United Nations.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly tweeted: “Democracy is facing significant threats in the hemisphere. The Alliance for Development in Democracy represents bright spots for democracy and I look forward to continuing our work together.”
Foreign Relations Minister Roberto Alvarez joined Arnoldo André Tinoco of Costa Rica, and Erika Mouynes of Panama held a working meeting in Los Angeles, California, during the 9th Summit of the Americas with their Canadian counterpart, Mélanie Joly, to present a joint declaration focused on strengthening this alliance and Canada’s cooperation.
The full text of the statement follows:
Fostering strategic dialogue between Canada and the members of the Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD).
Canada, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Panama, members of the Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD), confirm our shared commitment to establish a strategic dialogue to ensure continued collaboration to promote inclusive economic growth and strengthen democracy in our hemisphere. This is in line with the 11 December declaration of the Alliance Presidents in Puerto Plata on the need for Alliance Ministers to establish priorities at the highest level with strategic partners.
We affirm our shared commitment to the rules-based international order, democracy, human rights, gender equality, climate action, inclusive growth and a sustainable recovery from the pandemic in the Americas.
We recognize the need to drive inclusive economic growth and a green transition in the region and understand that our goals in this area require collective action in the region. An inclusive and sustainable recovery from the pandemic can be facilitated by deepening our trade relations, promoting greater trade and investment flows, and increased investments in education and capacity building.
We commit to work together to address democratic challenges and prevent the erosion of democracy in our hemisphere.
We recognize that the rule of law, freedom of the media and the independence of the judiciary are fundamental to stable economies and democracies and to attracting foreign investment.
We express our condemnation of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and recognize the vulnerabilities – including food insecurity and inflation – that have been exacerbated in our hemisphere as a result of this crisis.
Accordingly, Canada, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Panama:
● Will collaborate and maintain a political dialogue on key foreign policy issues.
● Work to strengthen cooperation on common challenges facing the hemisphere, including through joint initiatives and support for inclusive and participatory solutions.
● Seek potential opportunities for collaboration to address the effects of climate change.
● Will explore how to strengthen trade and investment ties between us to support an inclusive and sustainable economic and health recovery from the pandemic.
● They will work closely together with a view to strengthening inclusive democratic societies by protecting civic space, media freedom and gender equality, and promoting freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, and freedom of religion or belief.
To strengthen our strategic dialogue, we have agreed that Canada will host a meeting on democracy in the Americas in the coming months.”
During the 9th Summit, Ecuador announced it would join the Alliance for Development in Democracy. Laurentino Cortizo Cohen of Panama; Rodrigo Chaves of Costa Rica; and Luis Abinader, the founding countries of ADD, welcomed Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso, president of Ecuador to the regional group.
Ecuador is the fourth country to join this initiative of political dialogue, cooperation and trade promotion for sustainable development, based on a commitment to democratic institutions, respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Read more in Spanish:
Presidency
El Dia
13 June 2022