Canada & The World

1. Statement on International Day of Democracy

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, today issued the following statement

2. G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Iranian missile transfer to Russia

   We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the EU, condemn in the strongest possible terms Iran's export and Russia's procurement of Iranian ballistic missiles.

3. Backgrounder: RT’s hostile activities 

   Russia is using non-traditional assets, including state media, to sow disruption and support its hostile activities on an international scale, including in Canada.

4. Canada announces vaccines in support of the mpox outbreak in Africa

   Vaccines are a critical part of the global response to the current mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighbouring countries. Canada is committed to health security in Africa and vaccine equity, to ensure vaccines reach those who need them most.

5. Minister Hussen announces multi-year funding of Canadian Foodgrains Bank to help feed people affected by humanitarian crises

   Conflict, economic shocks and extreme weather events continue to drive food insecurity around the world, causing displacement and acute hunger and worsening living conditions. Urgent assistance is needed, and Canada is stepping up.

6. Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs on situation in Venezuela

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: “Canada unequivocally condemns the ongoing and escalating repression in Venezuela by Nicolas Maduro’s regime, particularly in the aftermath of the presidential elections. This has resulted in dozens of deaths and more than 2,000 arbitrary detentions, sometimes followed by the enforced disappearance of individuals—including more than 100 youth—who have participated in demonstrations.

7. Announcement of new diplomatic appointments

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

8. Biographical notes

   Christopher Boehm (BA Hons [Political Science], University of Toronto,1994) joined External Affairs and International Trade Canada in 1994. Myriam Montrat (BA [Government and International Relations], Colby College; MA [Public Policy and Public Administration], Concordia University) has held the position of director general, inclusive growth, governance and climate action, at Global Affairs Canada, delivering on key international development commitments, such as climate crisis response, sustainable economic growth, civil society and democratic spaces strengthening, food systems resilience, human rights, women’s economic empowerment and Canada-Africa relations.

9. Statement on the second anniversary of the UN assessment on human rights situation in Xinjiang

   Today, Global Affairs Canada issued the following statement:“Two years have passed since the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights released a landmark assessment, detailing grave human rights violations in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. The assessment describes serious human rights violations that have been committed in Xinjiang, and notes that the extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detention of Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.

10. Announcement of new diplomatic appointments

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

11. Biographical notes

    Mylène Paradis (BA [Communications], Laval University, 1991; MA [Journalism], Laval University, 1993) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2002.

12. Diplomats for Equality Joint Statement

    “We, Canada and the undersigned Diplomatic Missions, join together once again as Diplomats for Equality to express our solidarity and support for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and all other queer persons in Canada and around the world.

13. Statement on Ukraine’s Independence Day

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today issued the following statement: “Today, we celebrate the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. Ukraine continues to bravely defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence from Russia’s aggression.

14. Minister Hussen visits Ukraine to reaffirm Canada’s solidarity with people of Ukraine

    The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, concluded his first visit to Ukraine on August 21, 2024. The visit reaffirmed Canada’s solidarity with and ongoing support of Ukraine as it faces the devastation brought by Russia’s war of aggression.

15. Minister Joly concludes successful visit to Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today concluded a successful trip to Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa from August 19 to 22, 2024.

16. Minister Joly announces funding for mpox response

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, today announced additional funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) for mpox response in Africa.

17. Statement on World Humanitarian Day

    The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, today issued the following statement: “Today, we recognize the courage and resilience of humanitarian workers who help communities around the world respond to extreme weather events, emergencies and armed conflicts. This year’s World Humanitarian Day theme of #ActForHumanity underscores the critical importance of facilitating aid access, protecting humanitarian workers and reducing the suffering of civilians.

18. Minister Joly to visit Côte d'Ivoire and South Africa

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will visit Côte d'Ivoire on August 19 to 20, followed by South Africa from August 21 to 22.

19. Joint statement on Venezuela

    “The undersigned countries, gathered in Santo Domingo de Guzmán, make a firm call for good sense and sanity in Venezuela. At this critical moment for Venezuela and the region, all social and political actors must exercise maximum restraint in their public actions.

20. Statement by ministers Joly, Hussen and Miller on third year since fall of Kabul, Afghanistan

    It has been 3 years since the Taliban took over Afghanistan. During this time, 2 decades of gains in democracy, human rights and education have eroded in the country and for its people. The treatment of women and girls by the Taliban is nothing short of horrifying. The egregious violations of women’s and girls’ human rights have led to restrictions on their freedom of movement and dress as well as their access to education, health services and justice, along with their ability to work. Women and girls have become prisoners in their homes and communities and have little hope for a brighter future.

21. Launch of public consultations on Canada’s approach to partnerships in Africa

    The African continent is a dynamic continent of growing geopolitical and economic importance – a continent with which Canada shares strong people-to-people ties. The Government of Canada is seeking input on the renewed approach for partnerships across the African continent...

22. Statement by Minister Ng on U.S. Department of Commerce fifth review of duties on Canadian softwood lumber

    The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, today issued the following statement on the final results of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s fifth administrative review of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on certain Canadian softwood lumber products:

23. Announcement of new diplomatic appointments

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

24. Announcement of new diplomatic appointments - Biographical notes

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

25. Statement following establishment of new interim government in Bangladesh

    Canada supports a peaceful way forward in the resolution of the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh. In this regard, we welcome the inauguration of a new interim government, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. This is the first step in restoring peace, to pave the way for free and fair elections and democratic governance.

26. Joint Statement from the Governments of Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States on Belarus

    The Governments of Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States, today issued the following statement on Belarus:

27. Backgrounder – Sanctions on fourth anniversary of fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus

    Effective immediately, Canada is imposing sanctions against ten individuals and six entities in response to their involvement in ongoing and systematic human rights abuses in Belarus and support for Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

28. Minister Joly announces sanctions on fourth anniversary of fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing sanctions against ten individuals and six entities under the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations. These persons are sanctioned on the fourth anniversary of the fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus, in response to their involvement in ongoing and systematic human rights abuses in Belarus and support for Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

29. Statement on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

    Today, on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion and International Trade and Economic Development; and the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, issued the following statement from the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people:

30. Global Affairs Canada temporarily relocates Canadian embassy staff’s dependent children from Tel Aviv, Israel

    “The health, safety and security of Canada’s diplomatic staff and their families remain a priority for the Government of Canada”

31. Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant to travel to Namibia and Zambia

    In Windhoek, Namibia, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will engage with senior government officials on shared priorities, including creating opportunities for young people, achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, mining responsibly and building supply chains for critical minerals...

32. Statement following resignation of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister

    Canada strongly condemns the human rights violations, deaths, torture, arbitrary arrests and lethal force used against the people of Bangladesh in recent weeks. We reiterate our deep condolences to all those impacted.

33. Statement by Minister Joly on results of presidential election in Venezuela

    Canada condemns the human rights violations, as well as the acts of violence that are occurring following the presidential elections and calls for the immediate release of the arbitrarily arrested, imprisoned or detained individuals. Citizens cannot be target of repression or reprisal for exercising their democratic rights.

34. G7 foreign ministers’ statement on the situation in the Middle East

    We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the EU, express our deep concern at the heightened level of tension in the Middle East, which threatens to ignite a broader conflict in the region.

35. Canada and United States conclude negotiations on Technology Safeguards Agreement

    Enabling Canadian space launch capability will support the growth of the commercial space launch industry in Canada, while providing new opportunities for the sector and encouraging innovation and research.

36. Statement on Romani Genocide Remembrance Day

    Eighty years ago, on August 2, 1944, a group of around 4,000 Romani children, women and men imprisoned in the ‘Gypsy family camp’ of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp in occupied Poland were murdered in its gas chambers.

37. Canada to announce milestone reached in negotiations with the U.S. to enhance commercial space launch capability

    Thursday August 1, 2024 – The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, accompanied by Members of Parliament Mike Kelloway (Cape-Breton – Canso) and Lena Metlege Diab (Halifax West),  will be announcing on behalf of Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs and François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the most recent milestone reached by Canada and the United States in terms of enabling commercial space launch capability in Canada.

38. G7 foreign ministers’ statement on Venezuela

    “We, the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, express our solidarity with the people of Venezuela, who peacefully exercised their right to vote in large numbers on July 28 to shape the future of their country.

39. Minister Hussen visits Caribbean community impacted by Hurricane Beryl and attends the 47th CARICOM meeting

    The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, today concluded a 2-day trip to Grenada, from July 28 to 29, 2024, where he visited a community affected by Hurricane Beryl and represented Canada at the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

40. Announcement of new diplomatic appointment

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

41. Biographical notes

    Ulric Shannon (BA Hons [History and Political Science], McGill University, 1997; MA [International Relations and Security Studies], York University, 1998) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1999.

42. 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.

43. 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.

44. 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.

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. 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.

48. 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.

49. 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.

50. 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.