Speaking Notes for The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence - Halifax International Security Forum: Closing Press Conference
Speech
Please check against delivery
HISF, Halifax, Nova Scotia
November 19, 2017
This Halifax International Security Forum has, as every year, been a tremendous opportunity to exchange ideas and thoughts with our allies … and with our defence and security partners.
Our talks had great range and depth… on topics as varied as the future of peace operations following the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Vancouver … the evolving concerns about the nuclear threat and North Korean belligerence.
We spoke about the coming defeat of DAESH and what comes after … and discussed how the security and defence environments are increasingly shaped by the space and cyber realms.
We know that we must all pull together to reach what is I believe a common goal of ours: peace and stability for our own nations and for the global community.
As we could appreciate throughout these three days, there is no simple solution to the world’s security problems … no easy fix. We definitely have our work cut out. But following the Forum this year, I think there is certain room for optimism.
We saw in Halifax that we are willing to make concerted efforts … to be united, while remaining open to diverse opinion and differing perspectives.
We have made progress in the face of challenges, both old and new.
Women are becoming more and more involved, bringing unique value to the peace and security process.
Canada is proud to be among those raising awareness about the importance of gender in both peace and conflict.
More countries are seeing the positive results of integrating gender perspectives into the planning and conduct of their missions and activities… acknowledging the fact that different people are impacted in different ways by tragedies such as conflict or natural disaster.
As discussed here and at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Vancouver… we are committed to the protection of at-risk populations, as we always have been.
We spoke about how countries can rebuild and ensure that the rights of women, the vulnerable, and children are acknowledged and respected.
We must involve women and youth in decision-making. We must work with the private sector … acknowledging that when youth pick up a pen, they are less likely to pick up a weapon. And we must work to address the root causes of conflict.
And so, after such a busy and successful 150th year, Canada thanks our allies and trusted partners who made the journey to join us here in Halifax …friends who are truly dedicated to the cause of global peace and international security.
I’d like to thank Peter Van Praagh and HISF Inc., once again, for this tremendous feat of organisation.
It is no small accomplishment to bring decision makers, experts, academics and others from around 60 countries together and get them to speak so insightfully about some of the world’s most pressing issues.
You and your team do this very successfully.
I would also like to thank the National Defence Team who contributed much energy and effort into making this forum a success.
As participants return to our respective countries, I know we will continue the momentum we have built at this Forum …
I look forward to continuing these discussions throughout this year.
I would be happy to take your questions.