H.E. Lilian Chatterjee Begins Her Tour As Canada’s High Commissioner To The OECS

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (21st May 2021) – On May 21st, H.E. Lilian Chatterjee presented her letter of introduction to H.E. Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), formally assuming her position as Canada’s representative to the commission of states. The ceremony, hosted virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, marked the first meeting between Director General Jules and High Commissioner Chatterjee, who previously served as Canada’s Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from 2017 to 2020. 

H.E. Lilian Chatterjee began her career with the Government of Canada in 2003 when she joined the Canadian International Development Agency. She previously served as Director General in both CIDA and Global Affairs Canada prior to her appointment as High Commissioner to Guyana, with concurrent accreditation as Ambassador to Suriname and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Ms. Chatterjee is a former journalist who worked in Canada and Southeast Asia. She subsequently worked in Canada’s House of Commons and with several international NGOs before beginning her diplomatic service.  

In today’s meeting, High Commissioner Chatterjee reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to the Organisation and its membership, particularly in the areas of gender equality, economic resilience and climate action as the region builds back stronger from COVID-19. High Commissioner Chatterjee and Director General Jules also discussed the ongoing situation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Canada’s continuous support, through local and multilateral partners, to assist in the country’s response to and recovery from the volcanic eruption at La Soufrière. Ms. Chatterjee noted, “Since 2018, Canada has supported volcano preparedness and readiness training for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines through multilateral and regional partners. As the region responds to an unprecedented challenge, Canada will continue to assist our friends and allies in their recovery from this devastating natural disaster.”  

High Commissioner Chatterjee looks forward to deepening the bilateral relationship between Canada and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States over the next three years.