On February 9, 2021, Ambassador Amalia Mai, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration, participated in the first Belize-Canada Bilateral Consultation.
The Government of Canada was represented by Ms. Sylvia Cesaratto, Director General for Central America and the Caribbean at Global Affairs Canada. Also present was the High Commissioner of Canada to Belize, Her Excellency Rita Rudaitis-Renaud.
Ambassador Mai and Director General Cesaratto exchanged views on the domestic and foreign policy priorities of their countries. They discussed issues on the bilateral agenda including the COVID-19 pandemic, cooperation in the justice sector, a seasonal worker program, educational opportunities for Belizeans and gender issues.
Additionally, they discussed enhancing cooperation on multilateral and regional issues including climate change, financing for development and migration. Belize agreed to support Canada’s initiative against the use of arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations.
Belize’s delegation also comprised Mrs. Orla Coleman, Director of International Affairs (Cooperation); Ms. Ayesha Borland, Director of International Affairs (Policy); Mr. Idelso Leslie, Foreign Service Officer; and Mr. Israel Alpuche, Crown Counsel in the Attorney General’s Ministry.
Belize and Canada will be celebrating 40 years of bilateral relations in November 2021.
