Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of International Development and La Francophonie to attend United Nations General Assembly in New York

From: Global Affairs Canada

News Release

September 17, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

To advance the interests of Canadians at home and abroad, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today announced that they will join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Minister Freeland will attend the UNGA from September 19 to 22 and Minister Bibeau from September 18 to 20. Along with the entire Canadian delegation, the ministers will advocate for human rights, advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, promoting peace and security, and leading the global fight against terrorism.

Minister Freeland’s program at the UNGA will cover a wide array of current international issues, including the deteriorating situation in Venezuela and the ongoing and unacceptable violence in Myanmar, particularly the situation in Rakhine State for Rohingya Muslims and other ethnic minorities.

Minister Bibeau’s UNGA program will focus on engaging youth and her counterparts to empower women and girls and accelerate the financing and implementation of the UN’s sustainable development goals.

Canada’s participation at UNGA will seek to promote a rules-based international order, strengthen multilateral institutions, champion diversity and inclusion, and expand Canada’s leadership on global issues, including gender equality, climate change, refugees and migration, health and open government.

Quotes

“We are working hard to strengthen all the international bodies to which Canada belongs, to make them more responsive to the needs of the middle class, not just in Canada but worldwide. ‎Working through the UN allows us to have a greater impact and to amplify our voice by shaping international programs, policies and practices on a range of issues, from security and trade to climate change and human rights.”

- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

“Our government has a clear vision on how best to tackle poverty and inequality. We firmly believe that women and girls must be empowered as they are true agents of change. This feminist vision for Canada’s international assistance has been welcomed by the international community, and I look forward to continuing to present it during this year’s General Assembly.”

- Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau, P.C., M.P., Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

Quick Facts

  • The annual week-long high-level opening of the UNGA is the largest leader-level and ministerial gathering of the UN’s 193 member states.

  • This will be the first UNGA opening for newly appointed UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

  • Canada is currently the fifth-largest donor to the UN system.

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Contacts

Adam Austen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Adam.Austen@international.gc.ca

Marie-Emmanuelle Cadieux
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-6238
marie-emmanuelle.cadieux@international.gc.ca

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