November 3, 2021

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OTTAWA, Ontario—Good day, everyone, bonjour, and welcome to Rideau Hall, which stands on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people, who have lived on and cared for this part of the world for thousands of years.

Rideau Hall is a home to all Canadians and a gathering place to exchange ideas. It is neutral ground, a place where we can put aside our political and cultural differences.

This painting reflects the very meaning of this place. Jean Paul Riopelle painted Point de rencontre in 1963. The title of the artwork refers to a Huron word meaning “place of meeting” and describes the area where Indigenous peoples made their way between lakes Ontario and Huron.

It was displayed in Canada until it was gifted to France in 1989. It comes back to us today on loan, a great example of art bringing people and countries together, which is what Canada hopes we can do while you are here.

High Commissioner Wambua, welcome to Canada. Kenya and Canada have had excellent relations since our countries established diplomatic relations in 1963, the year of Kenya’s independence. This relationship is anchored by our people-to-people ties.

In addition, we are working together to promote shared interests and to achieve common goals, including poverty reduction, sustainable economic growth, the empowerment of women and girls, supporting refugees, and regional security and stability.

I invite you to experience all that we have to offer while you are here in Canada, and to visit our country from coast to coast to coast.

Ambassador Van Gheel, we are pleased that you are here with us today.

Belgium and Canada are both multilingual countries, and, as I am working to improve my skills in French, I will take this opportunity to say: bienvenue au Canada, Monsieur l’ambassadeur.

Our countries are natural allies, co-operating at many levels, including the UN, NATO, La Francophonie and many more. We are also collaborating in such areas as science, technology and transportation.

As you assume your new post, I hope we can continue to find ways to work together as we build back our societies after the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

High Commissioner Tšeole, thank you for being here with us today.

Lesotho and Canada also have a long-standing relationship, dating back to the year of your country’s independence. Our relations are based on Commonwealth ties and our bonds created through developmental co-operation and shared interests, including trade and investments and climate action.

I would also like to commend our mutual commitment to increasing the capacity of female entrepreneurs to access international markets for their products.

It is my hope that we can use this time together to learn from each other and to further broaden the relationship that exists between Lesotho and Canada.

In closing, allow me to congratulate each of you on your new posting. We look forward to collaborating in the spirit of partnership and co-operation towards a better tomorrow.

Thank you.