Minister Joly concludes visit to Peru and announces projects in Latin America and the Caribbean

October 7, 2022 – Lima, Peru – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, yesterday concluded her visit to Peru, where she attended the 52nd General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS).

During the General Assembly of the OAS, Minister Joly met with her counterparts to discuss how Canada and other OAS member states can work together to advance diversity and inclusion, promote democracy and human rights, protect international security, address the situations in Nicaragua and Venezuela, and mitigate the global consequences of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Minister Joly also delivered Canada’s national statement at the first in-person General Assembly since 2019 and vowed to promote and defend diversity and inclusion, and democracy. She called for collective action in response to the egregious human rights violations and political persecution taking place in Nicaragua and Venezuela. In her engagement with partners from across the hemisphere, Minister Joly also called for solidarity with Iranian women, and all those supporting them, who are fighting for their rights and their future.

Minister Joly also co-hosted a roundtable with Haiti, and the United States, and they were joined by several other countries from across the hemisphere to discuss how the international community can help respond to the crisis in Haiti. In the meeting, they affirmed to: support Haitian-led solutions; urge parties to set up humanitarian corridors and restore the supply of fuel from the Varreux terminal; call on the international community to provide robust security assistance; and, work closely together to restore a climate of peace in Haiti. 

During her visit, the minister had the opportunity to meet with Indigenous Peoples and civil society partners to discuss Canada’s support for Indigenous Peoples in Peru, and highlighted Canada’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous communities.

Minister Joly also announced on behalf of The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development, four new development assistance projects, totalling $9.7 million, to advance 2SLGBTQI+ rights and gender equality and to support Venezuelan refugees, migrants and their host communities across Latin America and the Caribbean.