The Port of Belledune Becomes the Founding Presenting Partner of Perspectives 2026

A strategic partnership to place Northern New Brunswick and Acadie at the heart of key discussions on the province’s economic future

Belledune, August 24, 2026 – The Belledune Port Authority is proud to announce that the Port of Belledune will be the founding presenting partner of Perspectives 2026, an inaugural event organized by the Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick (AFMNB).

This partnership brings together the AFMNB and the Port of Belledune—two organizations that share a common conviction: Northern New Brunswick and Acadie have the resources, infrastructure, expertise, and leadership needed to play a decisive role in the economic future at the provincial, national, and international levels.

The choice of the Port of Belledune as a founding presenting partner stems from a natural alignment. Through its activities, the port builds bridges between the region’s potential and business opportunities elsewhere in the country and around the world. Perspectives pursues a complementary goal: to bring together the driving forces capable of transforming these opportunities into projects, partnerships, and tangible benefits for communities.

“The Port of Belledune embodies exactly the kind of leadership that Perspectives seeks to highlight leadership rooted in Northern New Brunswick and Acadie, but whose reach extends far beyond our region. Through its infrastructure, vision, and partnerships, the port helps position New Brunswick within Canada’s and the world’s major economic corridors. Its commitment as a founding presenting partner sends a strong message: our region intends to participate fully in the decisions that will shape our collective future,” said Kassim Doumbia, president of the AFMNB and mayor of Shippagan.

“The opportunities available to Northern New Brunswick and Acadie require collaboration, dialogue, and a long-term vision. Perspectives 2026 will provide a unique forum to bring together public decision-makers, businesses, municipalities, and communities for frank discussions about the projects and partnerships our region needs. The Port of Belledune is proud to partner with the AFMNB for this inaugural event and to help drive development that benefits the region, the province, and the country,” said Denis Caron, President and CEO of the Belledune Port Authority.

Perspectives 2026 will take place on Thursday, September 17, at the K.C. Irving Regional Center in Bathurst.

This inaugural event will bring together key leaders and decision-makers from the municipal, government, business, community, and non-profit sectors to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and ambitions for Northern New Brunswick and Acadie.

The evening will feature a keynote address by New Brunswick Premier, the Honorable Susan Holt, focusing on the development of Northern New Brunswick and Acadie. It will also place a strong emphasis on direct dialogue and informal meetings among those who influence decisions, spearhead projects, and contribute to regional development.

Designed to travel annually to different regions of New Brunswick, Perspectives aims to create a forum where regional priorities can be addressed directly with the stakeholders capable of advancing them. This engagement is particularly important in Northern New Brunswick and Acadie, where geographical distances make it rare to bring together so many decision-makers from diverse backgrounds in one place.

The Port of Belledune’s commitment thus goes beyond a simple event partnership. It helps establish a new platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action to support the development of Northern New Brunswick, Acadie, and the province as a whole.