The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:
"Today we mark 79 years since the United Nations was founded based on peace, equality and the rule of law. Eight decades later, Canada firmly believes that the United Nations is still the only global institution capable of addressing the challenges of our time. There's no alternative that brings together nations of all sizes on an equal footing to collectively address the complex issues we are all facing.
"We need this unique and essential forum more than ever. This year, we have seen the most armed conflicts since the United Nation's inception. They have displaced millions, with women and girls often bearing the brunt of the violence and instability they bring. Climate change has led to more frequent and severe weather events, including flooding and droughts, and contributed to rising levels of extreme poverty, inequality and instability. In a rapidly changing world, the United Nations is critical in driving global solutions.
"Canada is a key contributor to the United Nations and its sixth-largest donor. Our contributions are numerous and varied. We champion efforts to speed up the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs], with our prime minister serving as co-chair of the SDG Advocates. We firmly support sustainable development and climate change initiatives and strongly advocate for human rights and gender equality.
"At the recent United Nations General Assembly, Canada reiterated that countries around the world are faced with a choice. We can choose a world where rules can be broken by the powerful, bringing us back to darker times of tension and conflict. Or we can choose a world that upholds human rights, opportunities for all, peace and prosperity-bringing us to a world where people solve problems by working together.
"Canada remains committed to ensuring that the United Nations continues to be a force for good in the world. We are actively working with partners so that the organization remains fit for purpose now and in the future. This means a United Nations that embodies the principles on which it is founded. This should be reflected in the top leadership which is why Canada calls for the next secretary-general to be a woman and for countries intending to put forward candidates to give due consideration to women candidates.
"As we look ahead, Canada is committed to working with the United Nations and its member states to consolidate the gains in gender equality made to date and to confront efforts to reverse the progress made on existing rights and principles and stifle further needed progress. Together, we will work toward a strong, effective United Nations as a pillar of the rules-based international system."
