Minister Sajjan Reaffirms Peace Operations Pledge at UN Defence Ministerial

News Release

September 8, 2016 – London, UK – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan today highlighted Canada’s renewed commitment to international peace support operations, including Canada’s intention to host a major United Nations conference on peacekeeping in 2017.

The Minister was attending the 2016 UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial in London, where he also reaffirmed that Canada stands ready to deploy up to 600 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel for future UN peace operations. The date and Canadian site for the 2017 conference will be announced later.

Canada remains committed to building a more peaceful and prosperous world. Its increased support to UN peace operations is centred on a whole-of-government approach, combining diplomacy, deployment, training, and capacity-building—and includes conflict prevention, mediation, peace operations, and peacebuilding efforts.

While in London, Minister Sajjan also met with his counterparts from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, as well as UN officials, to discuss common defence, security, and peace support operation priorities.

Quick Facts

  • The exact size and composition of any future CAF deployment to a UN mission will be based on discussions with the UN and Canada’s partner nations, as well as an assessment of where Canada can best make a meaningful impact.

  • On August 26, 2016, the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced the launch of Global Affairs Canada’s new Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs). Canada is devoting $450 million to PSOPs. The new funding will help better protect civilians, including the most vulnerable groups, such as displaced persons, refugees, women and children.

  • The 2016 UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial focused on the implementation of pledges and improving peacekeeping in the areas of Women, Peace and Security; Tackling Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; Rapid Deployment; and Pre- and Post-Deployment.

Quote

“Canada is committed to leading international efforts in peace support operations. That’s why we’re here today, pledging our support and reaffirming our commitment to the United Nations. We want to ensure the dialogue continues next year, so we have committed to host the next UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial in 2017.

“Conflicts today are more complex than ever before and we’re serious about being part of the solution—that’s the reason we’re bringing our resources and skills to the table. I’m confident that our unique whole-of-government approach will make tangible contributions to peace support operations around the world.”

Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan

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Contacts

Renée Filiatrault
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Defence
613-996-3100

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca


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