G7 ministerial meeting: Building a more peaceful and secure world

This ministerial meeting is co-chaired by the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

Joint statement of foreign and security ministers

Under the theme of “building a more peaceful and secure world,” the foreign and security ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, together with European Commissioners in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship and the Security Union, met jointly in Toronto on April 23, 2018. We discussed collective efforts towards reinforcing democracy by addressing destabilizing behaviour, including interference in countries’ democratic systems, including through digital technologies and unacceptable actions.

Among other issues, we discussed Russia and emphasized the need to protect and promote a rules-based international order. We also looked at how best to manage the risks associated with foreign terrorist fighters, and associated travellers. It was noted that special attention must be given to the challenges associated with returning family members, including women and youth. We issued “Toronto Commitments” on defending democracy and managing foreign terrorist fighters and associated travellers.

Commitments

• Defending democracy – Addressing foreign threats
• Managing foreign terrorist fighters and associated travellers

G7 foreign ministers joint communiqué

G7 foreign ministers gathered in Toronto on April 22 and 23, 2018, to exchange views and coordinate action with respect to building a more peaceful and secure world. Bound together by respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law, they discussed four broad themes: (1) a rules-based international order, (2) non-proliferation and disarmament, (3) transnational threats to security and (4) conflict prevention and support for United Nations efforts and reform. The ministers reaffirmed their belief in open economies, open societies and open governments where diversity is respected and inclusion is valued and embraced.

Read G7 foreign ministers joint communiqué

Co-chairs

The Co-chairs set the agenda of the ministerial meeting and deliver a summary of the discussions. The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs will chair the discussion sessions on foreign affairs with her G7 counterparts. The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness will chair the discussions sessions on security with his G7 counterparts. Ministers will co-chair a joint session on April 23^rd .

Related information

• Media advisory: G7 Foreign and Security Ministers’ meeting on Building a more peaceful and secure world: Itinerary
• G7 Leaders’ Statement on Syria
• G7 foreign ministers’ statement
• Building a more peaceful and secure world
• G7 public engagement paper – Building a more peaceful and secure world