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H.E. Lilian Chatterjee, High Commissioner for Canada in Barbados

H.E. Lilian Chatterjee, High Commissioner of Canada in Barbados

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Welcome to the High Commission of Canada in Barbados!

It is my honour to represent Canada in the Eastern Caribbean, following in the footsteps of my respected predecessors and building upon my previous - experience as Canada’s Ambassador to the Caribbean Community. I bring with me a deep appreciation for Caribbean culture and a genuine eagerness to explore and engage with the people in the region.

The High Commission of Canada serves 7 sovereign nations – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines – as well as the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and 3 British Overseas Territories – Montserrat, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands. The Mission in Bridgetown also offers consular services for Sint Maarten, Sint Eustaius and Saaba, and trade services in Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Canada has a longstanding relationship with the countries of the Eastern Caribbean as hemispheric neighbours in the Organization of American States, and as members in the Commonwealth and – in the case of Saint Lucia – La Francophonie. Our shared historic roots, deep commercial ties, and respect for the common values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, lay the foundation for our strong bilateral relations and close people-to-people ties. Canada is very proud to have a large and vibrant Caribbean Canadian diaspora who have contributed to the political, economic and cultural fabric of the Canadian mosaic.

Canada’s support for the region is demonstrated through our robust international assistance program, which seeks to build a more inclusive global community by working collaboratively with foreign governments, local interlocutors, multilateral partners, and regional agencies, such as Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and the Caribbean Development Bank.

It is my privilege to act as a liaison between Canada and the people and governments the Eastern Caribbean. In this capacity, the High Commission in Bridgetown will work to advance Canada’s feminist foreign policy by strengthening existing bilateral relations, fostering innovative economic growth, and addressing climate change. I encourage my fellow Canadians, who are visiting the region, to register with us online to receive the latest country-specific travel advice. And, I invite you all to explore this website and to follow us on social media to learn more about Canada’s engagement in the region.

Thank you.

H.E. Lilian Chatterjee
High Commissioner of Canada
Facebook: @CanadaInBarbados
X (Twitter): @CanHCBarbados, @LilianCGAC
Instagram: @canadabarbad

Biography

Lilian Chatterjee (BJ Hons [Journalism], Carleton University, 1980; MA, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, 1985) joined the High Commission of Canada in Barbados in January 2021. As Canada’s High Commissioner, Ms. Chatterjee oversees a team of 47 diplomatic and locally-engaged staff, serving 7 sovereign nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and 3 British Overseas Territories (Montserrat, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands). The Mission in Bridgetown also offers consular services for Sint Maarten, Sint Eustaius and Saaba, and trade services in Martinique and Guadeloupe. The High Commission of Canada works to strengthen trade and commercial ties; enhance political, academic and cultural links; and assist Canadians visiting or living in the region.

Ms. Chatterjee joined the Canadian International Development Agency in 2003. She was director general for the Canadian Partnership Branch, Communications Branch and Strategic Policy and Performance Branch. At Global Affairs Canada, she served as director general for Social Development Partnerships, in the Partnerships for Development Innovation Branch, and was the director general for Strategic Integration in the Europe, Middle East and Maghreb Branch, and the departmental champion for psychological health and well-being in the workplace. Before becoming High Commissioner in Barbados, Ms. Chatterjee served as Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana and Ambassador to Suriname and the Caribbean Community (2017 to 2020).

Ms. Chatterjee started her career as a journalist, then worked at the House of Commons and subsequently worked for several international NGOs. She is fluent in English, French and Spanish.

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