Intervention by the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas) The Honourable Diane Ablonczy International Conference in Support of the Central American Security Strategy Guatemala City, Guatemala June 22-23, 2011 Mr. Chairman, colleagues. I too would like to begin by thanking President Colom, Minister Rodas, the Guatemalan Government, and the people of Guatemala for the warm welcome and hospitality provided to me and our Canadian delegation. Thank you also for organizing this important conference jointly with SICA and its Secretary General, Dr. Aleman. As your much colder northern neighbour, Canada is especially pleased to be with you today in the Country of Eternal Spring. This conference comes at a crucial juncture. Transnational criminal organizations have increased their presence in our countries. They are challenging public security, commerce and the development of our societies. In response, Central American countries declare their commitment, and seek to bolster their capacity, to address this rising tide of violence and insecurity. Central American countries are not alone. These security challenges affect us all, and improved security benefits us all. All Governments in the region and indeed around the globe, are acknowledging that we must become as nimble as the criminal networks. We know we must bridge our efforts across borders. Canada is participating in this conference as a donor, but also as a target of transnational criminal organizations. Helping to fight organized crime helps strengthen our partners in Central America and also enhances security for Canadians. 1 To my Central American Friends, I say, ‘you are not alone’. We share a challenge, and we also share responsibility to address it. Earlier this month in El Salvador, Canada joined with leaders and ministers from the countries of the hemisphere to discuss “citizen security in the Americas” at the OAS General Assembly. It was the third year in a row that a security-related topic was chosen as the central theme for hemispheric discussion. Security in Central America was front and centre when North American Foreign Ministers met for discussions six months ago in Canada. We have since made progress toward meeting the commitments North American Foreign Ministers agreed to. Among the most important is advancing the development of a North American - Central American Dialogue on Security. This dialogue is intended to be broad and transparent, in the spirit of the Friends of Central America process. There can be no question that we all recognize the importance of security. The fact that we are gathering again today in Guatemala, attests to the importance we attach to working together to fight the plague of organized crime and violence in our hemisphere. Today, those of us present, including Canada, are here to lend both political and practical support to this process. I am confident that together, we can make a difference, and help stop the increasing criminality and violence. SICA has played a key role in this process. We all here commend SICA for its efforts. They have worked closely with the countries of Central America and with the Group of Friends to establish a Regional Security Strategy and set priorities. We thank you for that, Mr. Secretary General. 2 Enhancing security is a pillar of Canada’s Americas engagement and is also a foreign policy priority for my government. Canada is already providing targeted support to strengthen the capacity of governments and institutions in the region to effectively confront the interrelated challenges of crime, violence and impunity. Rest assured that we will continue our robust engagement in the region and will strongly support the implementation of the Regional Security Strategy. As a further important step, together we will ensure that a monitoring mechanism is put in place by the Central American countries and the Group of Friends. This monitoring mechanism will provide the people of all our countries with a measure of the progress that they expect us to make in meeting the challenges before us. But donors cannot do it alone. Our support can only complement national efforts led by Central American nations. To this end, Canada urges all SICA member States and their legislators to tackle the issue of fiscal reform. We believe that such fiscal reform is necessary to provide a solid financial foundation upon which to implement a meaningful Security Strategy. Fiscal reform is also necessary to better provide quality education and employment opportunities as an important means to deter young people from taking the path to crime. President Colom spoke so passionately about the young people of Central America and we applaud the region’s determination to provide hope and opportunity for future generations. I also wish to acknowledge the critical contributions civil society organisations make to improve security and strengthen our societies. I am pleased to see the dialogue with civil society and private sector representatives that took place earlier this week. Their voice is crucial and must be heard. Their partnership is crucial and must be welcomed. 3 Today I am very pleased to announce that the Government of Canada will contribute more than $5 million dollars to support the implementation of SICA’s Regional Security Strategy. This money comes through Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program. It will support several initiatives. For example, Canada’s contribution will support the SICA priority of joining efforts with INTERPOL to improve regional and international coordination against transnational criminal organisations and gangs. Specifically, we will assist INTERPOL to build capacity and operational connectivity of police and related security sector services in the Central American region. Canada will also continue to support the further professionalization of local law enforcement institutions. We see this as a key element in the fight against corruption and impunity. In addition, Canada will help implement the Strategy’s priority focus on the prevention of migrant smuggling and human trafficking by enhancing border controls and the identification of false documents. These initiatives are complemented by Canada’s support for the ongoing work of the UN Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). At the same time, we welcome efforts to replicate the CICIG (SEE-SIG) model in other countries of the region, adapted to local conditions, and we would support further discussions in this area. We share the view others have expressed today that we can not deal with security in isolation. It is firmly linked to democratic governance, rule of law and the prosperity of our communities. Canada also recognizes the importance of demand reduction in addressing the security and stability of the region. Canada has developed a National Anti-Drug Strategy which is currently being implemented. This strategy addresses priority issues in the areas of Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement as it relates to illicit drugs. 4 In summary, Mr. Chairman, the regional nature of the challenges that we face requires regional, coordinated solutions. We all have a shared responsibility to address trans-national crime with practical, effective and measurable action. You, our Central American friends, have asked us for concrete, immediate action and we have heard you . This gathering is a good beginning, but only a beginning. Rest assured that Canada fully intends to continue to work together with you, our hemispheric friends and neighbours, as you take the lead on meeting those challenges. Gracias. 5 .