Canada’s commitment to global collaboration and human rights was front and center as Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly and Parliamentary Secretary Rob Oliphant attended the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week in New York City.
Their participation in major discussions underscored Canada’s active role in addressing critical global issues, from media freedom to gender equality.
Canada’s Role at the UNGA
Minister Joly, alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, represented Canada at the UNGA from September 22 to 30, 2024.
This gathering of world leaders, policymakers, and civil society groups provided a platform for Canada to champion multilateralism and promote human rights.
One of Minister Joly’s key events was co-hosting a high-level panel discussion on media freedom.
This event culminated in the presentation of the 2024 Canada-United Kingdom Media Freedom Award, alongside the UK’s Lord Collins of Highbury.
By focusing on media freedom, Canada emphasized its longstanding support for independent journalism—a critical pillar for maintaining democratic societies.
Minister Joly’s Top Engagements
Throughout the week, Minister Joly participated in high-profile discussions, including:
- A UN Ad Hoc Advisory Group meeting on Haiti, co-hosted with Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille and Prime Minister Trudeau. This meeting aimed to mobilize international support for Haitian-led solutions to the country’s ongoing crisis.
- A joint event with Ukraine and Estonia on child protection, highlighting the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Minister Joly reiterated Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
- Delivering Canada’s national statement at the UNGA, where she focused on promoting multilateral cooperation, human rights, and the rule of law.
Advancing Gender Equality
In addition to media freedom and child protection, Minister Joly emphasized gender equality. She attended several events aimed at enhancing the role of women in leadership, including a gathering of women leaders from around the world.
During these discussions, Joly advocated for the meaningful participation of women in decision-making processes and spoke about securing reproductive choice for women and girls globally.
Rob Oliphant’s Focus on the Commonwealth
Parliamentary Secretary Rob Oliphant played a pivotal role during the UNGA, particularly in discussions surrounding democracy and human rights within the Commonwealth.
As part of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, Oliphant met with counterparts to discuss key issues related to democracy and human rights, focusing on countries like Bangladesh and Gabon.
Topics to be addressed by Oliphant include:
- Promoting the rights of women and girls during the Summit of the Future Action Days.
- Preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, set to take place in Samoa in October 2024.
Canada’s Multilateral Commitments in Numbers
The following table outlines Canada’s significant contributions to the Commonwealth and multilateral initiatives:
Canada’s Focus |
Contribution |
|---|---|
| Media Freedom | Co-hosted panel and Media Freedom Award |
| Gender Equality | Advocated for women’s leadership and reproductive rights |
| Haiti Crisis | Supported Haitian-led crisis solutions |
| Child Protection | Highlighted Ukrainian children’s rights |
| Commonwealth Contributions | 2nd largest funder of Commonwealth initiatives |
Why Canada’s Involvement Matters
Canada’s participation at the UNGA this year reflected its steadfast dedication to international collaboration and problem-solving. Here’s why this engagement is crucial:
- Promoting Media Freedom: In a world where independent journalism is increasingly under threat, Canada continues to champion press freedom and protect democratic values.
- Addressing Global Crises: From the situation in Haiti to the unlawful deportation of children in Ukraine, Canada is working with international partners to foster solutions that prioritize human rights.
- Gender Equality Advocacy: Minister Joly’s focus on gender equality underscores Canada’s belief in the transformative power of inclusive leadership and reproductive rights.
As Minister Joly aptly stated,
“Through constructive dialogue and collective problem-solving at this year’s UNGA High-Level Week, we can effectively work together to address some of the most critical issues of our time.”
Canada’s active role in this dialogue is not only timely but essential in navigating today’s global challenges.
Bottom Line
By championing media freedom, human rights, and gender equality, Minister Joly and Rob Oliphant continue to solidify Canada’s position as a global leader committed to fostering peace and stability worldwide.
Their efforts at the UNGA underscore Canada’s enduring commitment to multilateralism and the belief that, together, the international community can create meaningful change.
Sources: THX News & Global Affairs Canada.
