Carney advances Canadian security, climate and peace priorities at UN General Assembly

Prime Minister Mark Carney used this week's United Nations General Assembly in New York to announce new international partnerships and funding commitments focused on multilateral cooperation, ocean protection, global health and aid for Palestinians.

Carney attended the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, where he met with international leaders to discuss global security, climate change, peace and the future of the international system.

Canada joined Australia, Barbados, Brazil, the European Union, India and Kenya in launching the Partners for Multilateralism (P4M) coalition. The group aims to strengthen international cooperation and promote principles including international law, peace and prosperity.

The coalition is intended to support practical cooperation on issues including artificial intelligence, climate change, health security and digital transformation.

Canada announces ocean funding

Carney also announced new measures aimed at strengthening global ocean observation and protection.

Canada is providing $82 million to support ocean observation and the Global Ocean Observing System, matching a €50-million commitment previously announced by the European Union.

Canada also ratified the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, commonly known as the High Seas Treaty.

More than $24 million will support implementation of the treaty and efforts to protect and sustainably manage marine biodiversity in international waters.

Canada also endorsed the Annual Joint Leaders' Communiqué on Ocean-Climate.

The country is preparing to host the next Our Ocean Conference in Halifax from May 10-11, 2027. A youth summit will be held alongside the conference. Canada's new Ocean Envoy, Diana Fox Carney, will chair the event.

$100 million announced for Palestinian aid

Carney co-hosted a high-level meeting on implementing a two-state solution and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 with the prime minister of the United Kingdom and the president of France.

During the meeting, he announced an additional $100 million in aid for Palestinians.

The funding includes:

$20 million for peace and stabilization initiatives.

$80 million for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank.

The federal government says the new funding brings Canada's total contribution to support Palestinian civilians to more than $600 million since October 2023.

Global health and diplomatic ties

Carney also announced more than $16 million to strengthen global biosecurity through international efforts to mitigate deliberate disease threats and improve preparedness for diseases such as Ebola.

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Carney met with leaders from Chile, Angola and Jordan as Canada seeks to expand its diplomatic, trade and security relationships.

The federal government says the initiatives announced during the visit are part of efforts to strengthen Canada's international partnerships while advancing security, economic opportunities and cooperation on global challenges.