Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the International Day for Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace

April 24, 2020 - Ottawa, Canada - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“Today marks the second International Day for Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, an opportunity to promote the values of the United Nations and the rules-based international order.

“Canada cannot respond alone to the unprecedented global threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only in collaboration with other nations will we be able to eradicate the disease and limit its negative impact. Our multilateral institutions are the backbone of this international collaboration.

“On this day, we pay particular tribute to the UN system—the peacekeepers, the international assistance workers, the peacebuilders, the medical personnel and the human rights defenders, who put themselves in harm’s way to respond where their help is needed most.

“Today is also an opportunity to look ahead and ensure that our multilateral institutions can help respond to the economic, social and security impacts of this pandemic and other collective challenges. This is what Canada is focused on achieving as Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission and why Canada fully supports the UN Secretary-General’s appeal for an immediate global ceasefire in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Together, we are stronger.”

Quick facts

• Canada is a proud member of the Ministerial Coordination Group on COVID-19, first convened on March 15, 2020 as a forum for responding to common pandemic concerns.
• Canada supports the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan.
• Canada is a strong supporter of the United Nations Peace and Security Architecture, a system that helps to mitigate threats posed by COVID-19 in fragile and conflict affected states.
• As a member of the board of the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund—a partnership between the UN, member states and civil society—Canada is pleased that the fund is backing women’s organizations in response to COVID-19.
• Canada is one of the largest supporters of voluntary contributions to the UN’s Peacebuilding Fund. The Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations are organizations critical to the world’s collective response to security threats and to advancing peace.
• In 2020, Canada is playing a leadership role in multilateral institutions and forums to advance peacebuilding by chairing the UN Peacebuilding Commission and co-chairing, with Sierra Leone, the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding.

Associated links

• Foreign ministers from 14 countries agree on key principles to keep transportation links and supply chains open
• Joint statement of the Alliance for multilateralism
• Statement of Canada at the High-Level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations for the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace