Minister Dion announces new support for sustaining UN peace efforts

September 21, 2016 - New York City, New York - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that the Government of Canada is taking concrete action to prevent and respond to conflicts abroad and to support UN peace operations in building a more peaceful and prosperous world.

Building on Canada’s strengths and commitment to multilateralism, Minister Dion, at the UN General Assembly, announced a package of up to $25 million of support over three years to enhance UN capacity in the area of conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding. The funding is provided as part of Canada’s new Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs), which was unveiled in August 2016.

The new funding includes:

• $10 million over three years to the UN Department of Political Affairs to reinforce the UN’s ability to find political solutions to conflict through conflict prevention, mediation and conflict-resolution efforts, and;
• up to $15 million over three years to the UN Peacebuilding Fund to provide rapid, targeted funding to respond to emerging crises in fragile and conflict-affected states and strengthen efforts to build lasting peace and stability in countries emerging from conflict.

This funding demonstrates Canada’s commitment to the UN’s peace operations and mediation, conflict prevention and post-conflict efforts.

Canada has a long and proud history as a founding member of the UN. From the very beginning, Canada has made significant contributions to the organization’s mandate to promote international peace, human rights and development.

Minister Dion also announced $2 million in funding from Canada’s Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program that will support two Global Counterterrorism Forum initiatives. The first, the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, aims at addressing violent extremism at the community level. The second, the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law, works for judicial and prosecutorial cooperation.

Quotes

Quick facts

• Canada will extend its support to the UN in the area of international peace beyond peacekeeping and strengthen the critically important civilian-led domains of conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding, including through the deployment of Canadian civilian expertise.
• Canada has been one of the top contributors to the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) since its establishment in 2006. The PBF supports activities, actions, programs and organizations that seek to build a lasting peace in countries emerging from conflict.
• Canada’s contribution of $324 million makes it the ninth-largest donor to the UN peacekeeping budget.
• Canada is devoting $450 million to its new initiative PSOPs. The new funding will help better protect civilians, including the most vulnerable groups, such as displaced persons, refugees, women and children.
• There are approximately 200 Canadian military and police personnel deployed in UN and non-UN peacekeeping missions around the world.
• On August 26, 2016, Canada announced a pledge of up to 600 Canadian Armed Forces personnel to be available for deployment to UN peace operations.
• In March 2016, Canada announced its candidacy for election to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for the two-year term that begins in 2021.
• The Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program provides $40 million annually to support the development of local capacity to prevent and respond to terrorism.
• The Global Counterterrorism Forum is an informal body created to strengthen international efforts to combat terrorism. Canada is an active member and is co-chair, with Algeria, of the forum’s Sahel Region Capacity-Building Working Group.

Associated links

• Canada to support peace operations
• Prime Minister announces Canada’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council
• Canada and the United Nations
• The Peace and Stabilization Operations Program
• Counter-terrorism capacity building assistance

Contacts

Chantal Gagnon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
343-203-1851
chantal.gagnon@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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