The sixtieth anniversary of the United Nations is cause for inspiration, concern and action. It is a source of inspiration because 60 years of collective action for peace and development is an anniversary to celebrate. And what better time to do so than on the International Day of Peace? It is a cau…
Thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to speak before the Council on the role of civil society in conflict prevention and the pacific settlement of disputes. This discussion comes at a critical time, as we collectively begin to chart the course ahead on implementation of the outcome of last …
The international response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina reminds us once again that there are connections between people that have nothing to do with a common language, race or creed and everything to do with the most fundamental considerations of what it means to be a human being,…
Canada is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this discussion on the situation in Afghanistan, and we are grateful to the presidency of Japan for putting this matter on the agenda.
At the outset, may I say that Canada’s commitment to Afghanistan has been significant. We have committed ov…
Canada is honoured to introduce draft resolution A/59/L.68. The objective of the draft resolution is to achieve the fairest and most democratic approach to the complex and controversial question of Security Council enlargement, while seeking the broadest possible consensus on how to proceed.
Let me…
Canada wishes to congratulate Greece on assuming the presidency and to express our thanks for this opportunity to take part in an open discussion on this important issue.
Canada firmly believes that the Security Council has a dual role in regard to humanitarian crises. It must not only respond quic…
Canada welcomes this opportunity to express its views about proposed changes in the membership and working methods of the Security Council. These issues arise as we are discussing a wide range of proposals that leaders will take up when they meet here in September. Let me say at the outset that, whi…
This year, the attention of the entire world is on its poorest citizens. This year promises to be a turning point in the fight against poverty. The global community has mobilized, and momentum is building. The achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is squarely on the international ag…
I am pleased to address the Council on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. At the outset, I would like to reaffirm our strong support for the call to action that we heard today from Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland.
Our Governments continue to attach the highest importance to the p…
I welcome this opportunity to present the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group of the Economic and Social Council on its visit to Haiti, which took place in conjunction with the Security Council mission from 13 to 16 April.
In recent months, within the Organization, we have discussed the cause of la…
Sixty years ago, Canada’s ambassador to the United States was attending the founding conference of this Organization in San Francisco when he was told that victory in Europe had been achieved. Lester B. Pearson wrote in his diary that day,
“Those who were trying to organize the peace were hardly co…
I first want to record Canada’s sorrow at the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II. Our Prime Minister is today at the Vatican, joining leaders from around the world as humanity mourns the loss of that remarkable messenger of peace.
I also want to extend, on behalf of Canadians, our sympathy and…
Canada’s position on cloning is clear. All forms of human cloning, for whatever purpose and by whatever technique, are prohibited in Canada under the law relating to assisted reproduction. Although certain elements of the Declaration are in line with Canadian national law, such as the prohibition of…
The Security Council has an important role to play in facilitating and enforcing international efforts to control the pervasive impact of the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons. Canada is encouraged by the progress made in that regard, particularly the establishment of mechanis…
Canada would first like to extend its deepest sympathies to all the nations, communities, families and individuals affected by the earthquake and tsunami of 26 December 2004. The magnitude of the loss of human life and the destruction impacting such a huge number of people is beyond the realm of und…
On this draft resolution, in the Second Committee and today, Canada abstained in the vote on operative paragraph 12. We did not make an explanation of vote in the Second Committee; in retrospect, it would appear that it would have been wise to do so. Since the vote, a number of delegations
have app…
It is a great honour for Canada to address the General Assembly as the current Chair of the Kimberley Process and, on behalf of the sponsors, to introduce draft resolution A/59/L.46. We also add the following sponsors to the draft resolution: Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, the Central African Republ…
I am delighted to speak today not only on behalf of Canada, but also on behalf of the members of the Human Security Network (HSN), which include Austria, Chile, Greece, Ireland, Jordan, Mali, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Thailand and South Africa as an observer. I will abbreviate …
Canada wishes to thank the Secretary-General for his report on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish to extend congratulations to President Karzai on his inauguration yesterday as President of Afghanistan…
Canada joins other delegations in dissociating itself from the consensus on draft resolution A/59/L.29. Canada attaches great importance to the family and to family-related issues. Although we support the aim of that text, we are concerned by what is not in the text. In particular, we
believe that …
