The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will welcome the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, to Canada from October 16 to 17, 2023.

“I look forward to welcoming High Commissioner Türk to Canada for the first time since he assumed office in October 2022 to discuss pressing human rights issues and how we can address together the increasingly challenging situation of human rights around the world. Canada is fully committed to supporting the United Nations human rights system and harnessing its great potential.”

- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

• The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is tasked with coordinating human rights throughout the UN system. The OHCHR provides a forum for identifying, highlighting and developing responses to today's human rights challenges.

• Volker Türk assumed his position as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in October 2022.

• Canada maintains a collaborative relationship with the OHCHR, and actively participates on the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) as a non-member.

• Canada last held an elected seat on the HRC during the council’s inaugural term of 2006 to 2009. On May 9, 2023, Canada announced its candidacy for a seat on the HRC for the 2028 to 2030 term.

Associated links

• Canada and the United Nations
• Minister Joly announces Canada’s United Nations Human Rights Council candidacy

Isabella Orozco-­Madison
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Isabella.Orozco-Madison@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca

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