Canada & The World

1. Minister Hussen concludes successful G20 Development Ministerial Meeting and visit to Salvador in Brazil

   The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, concluded a visit to Brazil, from July 22 to 25, 2024. In Rio de Janeiro, he took part in the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting (DMM) and a joint meeting of G20 development and finance ministers to establish the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.

2. Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador to the UN, elected president of UN’s Economic and Social Council

   Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, has been elected president of the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a 1-year term.

3. Announcement of new diplomatic appointments

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointments: Mark Berman becomes High Commissioner in Jamaica. Mr. Berman replaces Emina Tudakovic.

4. Biographical notes

   Mark Berman (BA [Political Science and International Relations], University of Saskatchewan, 1982; LLB, University of Saskatchewan, 1986; LLM, London School of Economics, 1989) joined the Government of Canada in 1989 as adviser to the minister of the environment; he then served as executive assistant to the deputy minister of the environment. In 1993, he joined the UN Environment Programme in Nairobi as a legal officer. After 6 years in Nairobi and Geneva, he returned to Canada as a director in the Office of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. He then joined the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in 2000 as deputy director for human security and peacebuilding. In 2005, he returned to Environment Canada as director for climate change negotiations. In 2008, he was seconded to CIDA’s Multilateral Branch as acting director general for environmental sustainability and economic growth. In 2009, Mr. Berman joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade as executive director for Climate and Energy and Canada’s representative on the Compliance Committee of the Kyoto Protocol. He served as executive director for international crime and terrorism in 2012 and was appointed director general for consular policy in 2017. Most recently, he served as high commissioner in Guyana and ambassador to Suriname and the Caribbean Community.

5. Parliamentary Secretary Damoff to travel to Costa Rica

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs), will travel to Costa Rica from July 24 to July 26, 2024, for an official consular relations and bilateral visit.

6. Minister Joly to attend Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings in Laos

   July 24, 2024 - Tokyo, Japan - Global Affairs Canada Since the elevation of Canada’s Strategic Partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in September 2023, Canada has increased its diplomatic and political engagement across the ASEAN region, demonstrating its value and concrete commitment as an active and reliable partner to ASEAN.

7. Minister Joly to travel to Japan

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will visit Japan from July 22 to 24, 2024.

8. Minister Hussen to travel to Brazil to attend G20 Development Ministerial Meeting

   The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, will participate in the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 22 and 23, 2024.

9. Minister Hussen announces a total of $41.15 million in funding for projects in Guatemala and Honduras and attends Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity meeting in Washington, D.C.

   From July 14 to 16, 2024, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, visited Central America and announced $35.75 million in development funding and $5.4 million in humanitarian funding, met with counterparts and saw first-hand the impact of Canadian development projects in Guatemala and Honduras.

10. Backgrounder: Minister Hussen announces $41.15 million in development and humanitarian funding

    During his trip to Guatemala and Honduras, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, met with local authorities, partners representatives and beneficiaries with whom he discussed the challenges and barriers women and young people face daily. There, he announced $41.15 million in funding to tackle these issues.

11. Minister Joly meets with China’s Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid an official visit today to Beijing, People’s Republic of China, at the invitation of Wang Yi, China’s Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

12. Minister Ng advances Canada’s trade priorities at G7 Trade Minister’s Meeting

    During the meeting, Minister Ng reiterated Canada’s strong commitment to an open, fair, inclusive and rules-based trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core. She also highlighted that countries, including Canada, are facing unfair competition from the increased use of non-market policies and practices that are leading to significant overcapacity, including in electrical vehicle (EV) production.

13. Minister Ng meets Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry at G7 trade ministers’ meeting

    The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, met with Ken Saito, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, on the margins of the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Trade.

14. Minister Ng meets with Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action

    The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, met with Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, on the margins of the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting.

15. Action Plan: Implementing the Canada-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

    Canada and the Republic of Korea (Korea) are building a stronger bilateral partnership. As directed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Yoon Suk Yeol in May 2023, we, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Canada and Korea, have agreed to an Action Plan to implement the Canada-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).

16. Minister Joly deepens ties with Republic of Korea

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today concluded a successful visit to Seoul, Republic of Korea.

17. Minister Joly to visit the People’s Republic of China

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she is visiting Beijing, People’s Republic of China, on July 19, 2024, at the invitation of Wang Yi, China’s Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

18. Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs marking 10 years since the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17

    “Today, Canada honours the memory of those who lost their lives in the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17..."

19. Minister Ng meets Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

    Minister Ng expressed Canada’s appreciation of Italy’s 2024 G7 presidency and welcomed the strong outcomes of the G7 Summit in Apulia, which will foster global economic growth that will benefit all citizens and future generations.

20. Minister Holland provides update on requirements for dogs entering the U.S. from Canada

    The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, will provide an update regarding the United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) import requirements for all dogs entering the U.S. from Canada, coming into effect on August 1, 2024.

21. Minister Joly to travel to the Republic of Korea

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will travel to Seoul, Republic of Korea (Korea), on July 18, 2024.

22. Media Freedom Coalition statement on transparency law in Georgia

    The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition express their deep concern about the declining freedom of media in Georgia.

23. Announcement of new diplomatic appointments

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointments:

24. Biographical notes

    Patricia Atkinson (BA Hons [Social Sciences], University of Ottawa, 2002) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2003, following an internship in Lithuania.

25. Strengthening the Health Care System in Canada

    Canadians deserve better access to health care services and affordable medicines, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. However, the health system in Canada has been facing significant challenges, such as overwhelmed emergency rooms, lack of access to a family doctor, and health care workers under enormous strain. The Government of Canada knows concerted and collaborative efforts by federal, provincial, and territorial governments are needed to continue to address these challenges.

26. G7 foreign ministers’ statement on situation in West Bank

    “We, the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States and the High Representative of the European Union, join the UN and the European Union in condemning the announcement by Finance Minister of Israel Smotrich that five outposts are to be legalized in the West Bank..."

27. Statement on Srebrenica genocide remembrance day

    “Today, Canada reflects on the genocide of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys and the displacement of over 20,000 women and children, who were forcibly expelled from their homes by Bosnian Serb forces in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

28. Announcement of new diplomatic appointment

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointment:

29. Biographical notes

    Christopher Duggan (BA Hons [International Development Studies and Earth Sciences], Dalhousie University, 1999; MA [Public Policy and Administration—International Stream], Carleton University, 2002) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2002.

30. Canada provides over $1.2 million in response to Hurricane Beryl in Caribbean

    At the start of what is predicted to be a devastating hurricane season, Canada is providing support to the Caribbean Region in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.

31. Minister Joly to participate in 75th anniversary NATO Summit

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced today that she will participate in the 75th anniversary Summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Washington, D.C., from July 9 to 11, 2024, alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence.

32. Minister Joly meets with her United Kingdom counterpart in London

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today met with the Right Honourable David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom.

33. Media Freedom Coalition statement on Evan Gershkovich's Trial

    The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition note with deep concern the trial of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in Russia.

34. Minister Joly to travel to the United Kingdom

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will visit London, United Kingdom, from July 7 to 8, 2024.

35. Biographical notes

    Michelle Cameron (BSc [Advanced Major Biology], Dalhousie University, 1992; BSc [Health Promotion], Dalhousie University, 1995) was a teacher and entrepreneur before joining the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2002.

36. Announcement of new diplomatic appointments

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointments:

37. Statement on Canada’s attendance at UN meeting on Afghanistan

    Canada is extremely disappointed that the UN organizers have excluded non-Taliban Afghan participants, including women's advocates, religious and ethnic minorities, and human rights groups from participating in the meeting’s main sessions.

38. Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant concludes participation in General Assembly of Organization of American States and announces new funding to support Colombia’s peacebuilding process

    The Honourable Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, today concluded his visit to Paraguay, where he led Canada’s delegation to the 54th regular session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) from June 26 to 28, 2024.

39. Backgrounder: Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant concludes participation in General Assembly of Organization of American States and announces new funding to support Colombia’s peacebuilding process

    Canada has announced a total of $6.3 million in funding for three projects that support Colombia’s peacebuilding process. It is being distributed as follows:

40. Canada imposes second round of sanctions on perpetrators of extremist settler violence against civilians in West Bank

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations.

41. Canada imposes second round of sanctions on perpetrators of extremist settler violence against civilians in West Bank

    Effective immediately, Canada is imposing sanctions against seven individuals and five entities in response to the grave breach of international peace and security posed by their violent and destabilizing actions against Palestinian civilians and their property in the West Bank.

42. Minister Joly meets with president-elect of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today met with Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president-elect, and with Juan Ramón de la Fuente, the incoming Secretary of Foreign Affairs, in Mexico City. Minister Joly congratulated president-elect Sheinbaum on her historic electoral victory that will see her become the first woman president of Mexico and congratulated the incoming Secretary on his appointment.

43. Minister Hussen reaffirms Canada’s engagement and support to the Pacific Islands

    In line with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, important strides have been made towards establishing Canada’s first mission to Fiji. Canada now has a second resident diplomat in Suva as Canada’s first Head of Cooperation in the region to strengthen development cooperation with Pacific Island Countries.

44. Forecasting safety abroad: Advice for Canadians during storm season

    As we enter hurricane season, which usually lasts from June 1 to November 30, Global Affairs Canada is reminding Canadians to be well prepared when travelling or living in areas prone to severe storms during this time.

45. Government of Canada announces $5.7 million in new funding to support the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada will provide $5.7 million in new funding to support Haiti, in addition to $12.5 million that has been previously announced.

46. Canada announces an additional $5.7 million in funding to support the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti

    Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Canada will provide an additional $5.7 million to the United Nations Trust Fund for the MSS mission in Haiti.

47. Minister of Foreign Affairs urges Canadians to leave Lebanon while they can

    Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement urging Canadians to leave Lebanon while they can:

48. Backgrounder: Canada imposes additional sanctions in response to Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel

    Effective immediately, Canada is imposing additional sanctions against nine individuals and two entities pursuant to the Special Economic Measures (Hamas Terrorist Attacks) Regulations, in response to the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the threat that Hamas and its affiliates pose to regional security.

49. Canada imposes additional sanctions in response to Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Hamas Terrorist Attacks) Regulations. These sanctions are another clear example of Canada’s commitment to countering Hamas and its acts of terror, as well as its affiliates and financial networks.

50. Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant to travel to Paraguay to attend the General Assembly of the Organization of American States

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that the Honourable Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will travel to Asunción, Paraguay, from June 26 to 29 to participate in the 54th regular session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS).