Address by Minister Dion about the Global Demining Initiative for Colombia on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly

September 18, 2016 – New York City, New York

Check against delivery. This speech has been translated in accordance with the Government of Canada’s official languages policy and edited for posting and distribution in accordance with its communications policy.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and all the people of Canada welcome the peace agreement signed in Colombia after so many decades of suffering.

As a determined peacebuilder, Canada applauds the efforts of all parties involved in this peace effort in a world that desperately needs good news.

And what good news it is.

We must realize what this means: for the first time ever, perhaps in world history, a full hemisphere is free from violent conflict.

I will be travelling to Colombia on September 26 to usher in the symbolic and crucial start of that achievement: the signing of the peace deal.

This crucial step is the beginning of a new journey, because, as you know, consolidating peace will be a long process that will take enormous effort, will and resources. Bonds that were previously shattered must be rebuilt between people and communities.

The international community must continue to help support Colombia—its people, schools, institutions and government.

At the very least, Colombians need to have safe ground under their feet where kids may play and adults may live in security. Therefore, demining is a critical aspect of the peacebuilding effort now under way.

As you know, in too many places in the world—in Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic—landmines cause devastation.

Colombia is considered to be one of the most landmine-contaminated countries in the world, ranking second only to Afghanistan in number of victims, including children.

Canada will be an active partner in the Global Demining Initiative for Colombia launched last year by Norway and the United States.

Because of conflict, the world has not been in a position to actually measure the full extent of landmine contamination in Colombia. Canada is already supporting the effort with the $12.5 million recently committed for landmine surveys and clearances in as many as 10 municipalities identified by the Government of Colombia through HALO Trust, an international NGO.

Additionally, Canada will provide $1.3 million to the Organization of American States for logistical support in demining action.

Canada is especially committed to demining efforts given it was Canada and Colombia that were among the first countries to ratify the Mine Ban Treaty in 1997. The Ottawa Convention is all the more meaningful for Canadians as it was completed under the guidance of my former colleague Lloyd Axworthy, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs at the time.

Also, we have committed $20 million to the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for post-conflict programming in Colombia, some of which will be for demining.

In conclusion, I would like to stress the vital importance of the Ottawa Convention in promoting a world free of landmines.

Canada calls on all nations to join the Ottawa Convention and to work to achieve this goal: a world free of landmines. A world free of these devastating, horrific and indiscriminate weapons.

Contacts

Chantal Gagnon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
343-203-1851
chantal.gagnon@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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