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September 21, 2023
New York City, United States of America
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry, on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
Ahead of their participation at the High-Level Meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, the two leaders had a frank exchange on the current situation in Haiti. Prime Minister Trudeau expressed his deep concern over the worsening humanitarian, security, and political crises in Haiti, and reiterated the importance of easing the suffering of Haitians. He further urged Prime Minister Henry to build a political consensus as a sustainable path toward elections and the reestablishment of democratic order in Haiti.
Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed that Canada remains committed to helping re-establish peace and security in Haiti, including by coordinating international security assistance and building the capacity of the Haitian National Police.
The two leaders also discussed the important role of Haiti’s fellow Caribbean Community (CARICOM) members in fostering inclusive political dialogue to advance Haitian-led solutions, which will promote democratic stability and pave the way for free and fair elections.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Henry agreed to remain in regular contact.
Associated Links
- Canada-Haiti relations
- Canada and the United Nations
- Prime Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly in New York
- Canada and Latin America and the Caribbean
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Haiti Ariel Henry
September 21, 2023
New York City, United States of America
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded his participation in the 78th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) high-level week, where he worked together with the international community to build a healthier, cleaner, and secure future.
As the world marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights this year, Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated Canada’s commitment to working with its international partners to defend the principles of freedom, peace, and equality the Declaration stands for, and to create a more just future for the generations to come. During UNGA, the Prime Minister met with world leaders and raised global issues, including foreign interference, the importance of the rule of law, climate change, and progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He also took the opportunity to condemn the Russian regime’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine as well as its decision to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which affects the most vulnerable by exacerbating global food insecurity.
While in New York City, Prime Minister Trudeau advanced ambitious international action to support the 2030 SDG Agenda, a pathway for a peaceful, equal, and healthy world. In his role as Co-Chair of the SDG Advocates group, the Prime Minister spoke at the SDG Summit and announced over $125 million to support projects in line with the SDGs that advance quality education, sustainable public health care systems, efforts to help eradicate tuberculosis, and support for the empowerment of women and girls, including advancing through sexual and reproductive health and rights. He also reaffirmed Canada’s support for the UN and its efforts to advance the SDGs, announcing a $78 million contribution to support programs such as UNICEF, UN Women, and the UN Population Fund.
In the face of wildfires and storms in Canada, and extreme weather around the world, Canada continues to take action to fight climate change while building an economy that works for everyone. The Prime Minister highlighted a price on pollution as one of the most effective tools to cut emissions, and in the case of Canada, make life more affordable for people at the same time. He welcomed four new members to Canada’s Global Carbon Pricing Challenge, which calls on countries to put a price on carbon to cover 60 per cent of global emissions by 2030. At the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Ambition Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau announced new commitments from Canada to increase ambition on emissions reduction, notably on further reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector.
To support Canada’s work globally, Canada will invest up to $168.6 million for climate adaptation and leadership, with a focus on women and girls. At UNGA, the Prime Minister also underscored the critical role that oceans play in the fight against climate change. Canada will invest $6.5 million to combat illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing to support oceans governance. During meetings with leaders, the Prime Minister discussed shared work to continue taking climate action while investing in clean energy and growing sustainable economies.
During the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, the Prime Minister acknowledged that international public financing alone will not be enough to face the world’s challenges and emphasized the need to encourage more private capital toward the realization of SDGs, including by addressing how risk is assessed on investments in developing countries. The Prime Minister also announced Canada’s intent to allocate an additional 700 million Special Drawing Rights, representing approximately $1.3 billion, to the International Monetary Fund’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust to provide concessional financing to low-income countries. SDRs are an international reserve asset created by the IMF to supplement the official reserves of its member countries.
At UNGA, Prime Minister Trudeau met with international partners to advance stability and sustainable development in Haiti. He highlighted Canada’s ongoing support to Haiti and announced $45 million to help feed school children through the World Food Programme and $3 million to strengthen the judicial system in the country through the UN Development Programme’s Basket Fund on Justice. He also announced the allocation of almost $26 million in previously announced funds to strengthen elements of the Haitian National Police. The Prime Minister commended the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for its ongoing leadership in addressing the needs of the Haitian people. He reiterated Canada’s support for inclusive political dialogue that allows for Haitian-led solutions to the crises, and he highlighted Canada’s commitment to pressuring those responsible for violence and instability, including through additional sanctions announced today on three members of Haiti’s economic elite.
Quote
“A better tomorrow requires effort, ambition, and dedication from those who want to create it. Canada and our like-minded partners have made clear that we’re serious about addressing the most pressing global challenges of our time, ranging from fighting climate change, to improving access to financing for developing countries, to supporting Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s war of aggression. Even in the face of overlapping challenges, I am optimistic we can face them and build a better future.”
Quick Facts
- The Canadian delegation to UNGA included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, the Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault.
- While in New York City, Prime Minister Trudeau had bilateral meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President of Chile Gabriel Boric, Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, President of Kenya William Ruto, and Prime Minister of Haiti Ariel Henry.
- Following the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 2021 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) allocation, Canada has been working closely with other G7 and G20 countries to channel $100 billion USD (or 20 per cent of their newly allocated SDRs) to the benefit of low-income and vulnerable countries. Canada was among the first to complete its $1 billion contribution to IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT), which provides concessional lending to low-income countries, and a $2.4 billion contribution to the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust, which helps countries address longer-term structural issues such as climate change. Canada’s plan to contribute an additional 700 million in SDRs to the PRGT brings Canada’s total SDR channeling commitment to the two IMF trusts to 25 per cent. Including Canada’s contributions to the IMF Administered Account for Ukraine, which provides SDRs to Ukraine, brings Canada’s total SDR channeling commitment to 48 per cent.
- In 2021, Canada launched the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge to expand the use of pollution pricing by strengthening existing systems and supporting emerging ones. The Challenge also serves as a forum for dialogue and coordination to make pricing systems more effective and compatible and to support other countries in adopting carbon pricing and cutting emissions on the path to net-zero by 2050.
- Canada is one of the largest contributors to the UN. In 2022-23, Canada’s funding to UN organizations totaled $2.49 billion.
- In 2022, Prime Minister Trudeau was named Co-Chair of the UN SDG Advocates group by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, with Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley. SDG Advocates work to raise global awareness of the SDGs and the need for accelerated action by using their respective platforms. Advocates include academics, politicians, artists, musicians and more, from around the world.
- In 2015, Canada joined all UN Member States in adopting ambitious goals for sustainable development, as outlined in Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda centres on a set of 17 SDGs, and encompasses the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The SDGs aim to improve the lives of all people, while protecting the planet.
- Over the past decade, Canada has been at the forefront of financing for development discussions at the UN. Canada has co-chaired the UN Group of Friends of SDG Financing since 2016. In May 2020, the prime ministers of Canada and Jamaica, alongside the Secretary-General of the United Nations, launched the Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond Initiative.
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Associated Links
- Canada and the United Nations
- United Nations – Sustainable Development
- The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
- Global Carbon Pricing Challenge
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
September 21, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Armenia’s Independence Day:
“Today, we join Armenian communities in Canada and around the world to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of Armenia’s independence.
“Canada was one of the first Western countries to officially recognize Armenia as a free and sovereign nation, and our two countries have been strong partners ever since.
“The recent military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh exemplify the need for commitments and measures to stabilize the situation in the South Caucasus and encourage continued progress in the dialogue for durable peace in the region. Canada supports these efforts and is pleased to have been accepted by the European Union (EU) as a third-party contributor to the EU Mission in Armenia to help build confidence.
“Canada is proud of its growing relationship with Armenia. Last year, we committed to expanding our diplomatic presence in the country, and we are now on track to open a full embassy with a resident ambassador in Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, this fall. We will continue to work together to make progress on important priorities, including advancing Armenia’s democratic development and promoting inclusive economic growth and new opportunities for people in both countries. Together, in forums such as the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, we continue to promote democracy, peace, and security around the world.
“The Canada-Armenia relationship is rooted in warm ties between our peoples. Almost 70,000 Canadians of Armenian descent call Canada home, and they are tightly woven into our national fabric. On this day, I invite everyone to learn more about the contributions, past and present, of Armenian Canadians to making Canada the country we know and love.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my best wishes to everyone celebrating Armenia’s Independence Day.”
September 21, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day of Peace:
“To be enduring, peace requires effort, ambition, and dedication from those who wish to create a better future for the generations to come. Today, on the International Day of Peace, we recognize the critical importance of promoting a more peaceful and inclusive world for everyone, and we recommit ourselves to working with diverse partners around the world to build it.
“Seventy-five years ago, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, recognizing for the first time the fundamental human rights that serve as the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.
“The theme of this year’s International Day of Peace, ‘Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals’, shines a light on our collective responsibility to promote long-lasting peace, including by working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a pathway to building a peaceful future that fosters inclusion, equal opportunity, participation, and access to justice for everyone. At the mid-point of our collective efforts to implement the SDGs, Canada’s commitment hasn’t wavered. In my role as co-Chair of the SDG Advocates Group, I continue to advocate for the accelerated action required to achieve the SDGs.
“In the face of rising global challenges, including Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and its far-reaching impacts, we continue to stand up in defence of peace, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. For as long as it takes, Canada will stand with the people of Ukraine, and will work with our allies and partners to support Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts toward a just and sustainable peace. We also uphold our long-standing tradition of actively supporting peacekeeping efforts around the world, including by championing initiatives like the Vancouver Principles, which help prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers in peacekeeping operations. In line with our Feminist International Assistance Policy, we also continue to advocate for the full and meaningful participation of women in all peace and security spaces, including through the Canada-led Elsie Initiative.
“On this International Day of Peace, I encourage Canadians and our friends around the world to reflect on our shared values of tolerance, compassion, and co-operation. It is only by working together now that we can build a peaceful future for the world of tomorrow.”
September 20, 2023
New York City, United States of America
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Prime Minister and the President discussed global issues. They reiterated their commitment to stand with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion for as long as it takes, and agreed to continue working closely together to coordinate efforts.
The leaders underscored the importance of their trusted partnership and their intention to continue working alongside each other on a number of shared priorities, including addressing the impacts of climate change, advancing clean energy development, and supporting economic growth. Canada has an opportunity to strengthen resilient and sustainable supply chains with Europe, including with regard to critical minerals, green steel, and energy.
The Prime Minister and the President agreed to stay in close contact and looked forward to seeing each other again, including at the next Canada-European Union Summit.
Associated Links
- Canada and the European Union
- Canada and the United Nations
- Prime Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly in New York
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
September 20, 2023
New York City, United States of America
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The two leaders discussed global issues, and reaffirmed the close co-operation between their countries, anchored in common priorities such as inclusive trade, economic growth, clean innovation, and the fight against climate change and its impacts. Prime Minister Trudeau thanked President Boric for Chile’s firefighting support to Canada this devastating wildfire season.
The Prime Minister and the President discussed their shared commitment to strengthening multilateralism and the rules-based international order, including in response to Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine. They discussed joint action to advance gender equality, human rights, and global and regional security. They also emphasized their support for Haitian-led solutions to address the security and humanitarian crises in Haiti.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Boric agreed to stay in close contact and looked forward to ongoing collaboration.
Associated Links
- Canada-Chile relations
- Canada and the United Nations
- Prime Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly in New York
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Chile Gabriel Boric
September 20, 2023
New York City, United States of America
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The prime ministers discussed global issues. They highlighted the strength of the Canada-Italy relationship, and agreed to continue working closely on key priorities including challenges to international peace and security, and the rules-based international order. They spoke about supporting growth in Africa, stability in the Sahel region, promoting safe migration policies, and maintaining unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion.
The two leaders looked forward to future opportunities to work together, particularly during Italy’s G7 Presidency in 2024 and Canada’s subsequent G7 Presidency in 2025. They agreed to remain in close and regular contact.
Associated Links
- Canada-Italy relations
- Canada and the United Nations
- Prime Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly in New York
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Canada and the G7
September 20, 2023
New York City, United States of America
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Chancellor Scholz underscored their pledge to stand with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion for as long as it takes, including through the establishment of long-term bilateral security commitments. They discussed their ongoing concerns regarding the security of the Black Sea region and the related impacts on global food security, further to Russia’s decision to withdraw their participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July. The leaders also noted other global issues, including support for Haitian-led solutions to address the security and humanitarian crises in Haiti.
The Prime Minister and the Chancellor highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration on a number of other shared priorities, such as enhancing trade and investment and supporting the clean energy and critical minerals sectors.
The Prime Minister and the Chancellor emphasized the depth and strength of the bilateral relationship between Canada and Germany, and their commitment to continue working together to tackle global issues.
Associated Links
- Canada-Germany relations
- Canada and the United Nations
- Prime Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly in New York
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Prime Minister concludes a successful visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
September 20, 2023
New York City, United States of America
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of Kenya, William Ruto, on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Prime Minister and the President shared concerns about global issues, including ongoing insecurity and instability in Sudan and Haiti. The leaders spoke about violence against civilians in Sudan and agreed on the urgent need to take action. Prime Minister Trudeau congratulated President Ruto on Kenya’s intention to lead a multinational force (MNF) to improve stability in Haiti, and he offered to align Canada’s security efforts with a future MNF.
The two leaders agreed on the need to improve global financing to fight climate change in vulnerable countries. The Prime Minister emphasized Canada’s support for reforming international financial institutions so that emerging economies can access financing and take necessary climate action.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Ruto agreed to continue working closely together and stay in regular contact.
Associated Links
- Canada-Kenya relations
- Canada and the United Nations
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Kenya William Ruto
