Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is set to deliver Canada’s national statement at the United Nations General Assembly, outlining the government’s foreign-policy priorities on issues including Arctic security, Ukraine, the Middle East and the protection of civilians in conflict.
Anand is scheduled to deliver the statement on September 26 during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York. Her address comes as Canada seeks to strengthen relationships with international partners and advance its interests on security, sovereignty and economic prosperity.
The Arctic is expected to feature prominently in Canada’s international agenda. Ottawa has increasingly emphasized the strategic importance of the region as geopolitical competition grows and security concerns extend across the North Atlantic, Arctic and Nordic-Baltic regions.
During High-Level Week, Anand has also been involved in discussions with Canada’s Nordic-Baltic partners, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. The countries have highlighted the interconnected security importance of the Baltic Sea, North Atlantic and Arctic regions.
The meetings have also focused on threats to critical infrastructure, maritime security, economic security and hybrid activities. Canada and its Nordic-Baltic partners have pledged to deepen cooperation in areas including defence, infrastructure protection and collective security.
Canada Reaffirms Support for Ukraine
The war in Ukraine is another major issue on Canada’s foreign-policy agenda.
Anand has participated in meetings focused on maintaining international support for Ukraine and reaffirming the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Canada and its Nordic-Baltic partners have said they will continue coordinating their efforts to support Ukraine and have called for a comprehensive and lasting peace.
Canada has also emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and upholding international humanitarian law amid continuing conflicts around the world.
The government says Anand’s UN engagements are intended to build international cooperation on pressing global challenges while reinforcing Canada’s role in multilateral institutions.
Middle East Also on the Agenda
Anand’s UN activities also include discussions on the Middle East, including Canada’s participation in a leader-level event focused on the two-state solution and the Gaza Peace Plan.
She is also scheduled to participate in a ministerial event highlighting the need to protect civilians during armed conflicts, as humanitarian needs remain severe in several parts of the world.
The minister’s schedule reflects Canada’s broader effort to engage with international partners on conflicts, humanitarian crises and global security concerns.
Canada’s Broader Foreign-Policy Priorities
Beyond the Arctic, Ukraine and the Middle East, Anand’s UNGA engagements include discussions with G7 foreign ministers, a meeting on Sudan and cooperation on maritime security.
Canada is also working with its Nordic-Baltic partners to strengthen cooperation on trade diversification, supply chains, defence and economic security.
Anand’s national statement will provide an opportunity for Canada to set out its position on these issues before representatives of the United Nations’ 193 member states and other international stakeholders.
Her address comes at a time of significant geopolitical uncertainty, with conflicts, shifting alliances, Arctic security concerns and challenges to international law shaping Canada’s foreign-policy priorities.
The speech is therefore expected to highlight Canada’s approach to protecting its sovereignty and security while working with allies and international institutions to address conflicts and other global challenges.
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