Prime Minister Carney advances collective security, climate, and peace priorities at the 81st United Nations General Assembly

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2026 /CNW/ -- As the international order faces a rupture, Canada is stepping up to build and shape a new one. We are forging new partnerships, deepening our existing ones, and building a dense web of connections that will enable Canada to be a more influential force in the world. We are leading with our values to build greater security, stability, and prosperity for ourselves and our allies.

This week, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, attended the 81^st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He met with international leaders to discuss the world's most pressing opportunities and challenges and to help shape a stronger United Nations (UN), better equipped to meet today's challenges.

During his visit, Prime Minister Carney emphasised Canada's commitment to multilateral cooperation. Canada joined Australia, Barbados, Brazil, the European Union (EU), India, and Kenya in launching a new Partners for Multilateralism (P4M) coalition on multilateralism, international law, and peace and prosperity to help strengthen the multilateral system and turn shared principles into practical action. Grounded in the principles of the UN Charter, P4M is a new forum that reaches across divides – connecting universal institutions, practical coalitions, and capabilities beyond government. It will help build trust among members, bring together those ready to act, and help promising solutions gain wider legitimacy and scale, advancing collective action on shared challenges from artificial intelligence and climate change to health security and digital transformation.

At an OceanEye International Alliance event co-hosted with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Prime Minister Carney mobilised international support to strengthen global ocean observation. As co-chair of the Alliance, the Prime Minister emphasised the role of ocean monitoring in strengthening maritime safety, supporting sustainable ocean economies, responding to climate change, and protecting ecosystems. To strengthen ocean observation and governance, he announced:

• $82 million to support ocean observation and the Global Ocean Observing System – matching the €50 million commitment announced by the EU earlier this year.
• Canada's ratification of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the High Seas Treaty, backed by over $24 million to implement the treaty and help protect and sustainably manage marine biodiversity in international waters.

At UNGA, Prime Minister Carney announced Canada's endorsement of the Annual Joint Leaders' Communiqué on Ocean-Climate. With Canada preparing to host the next Our Ocean Conference in 2027, Prime Minister Carney underscored the need for coordinated international action to advance a sustainable ocean economy and address the interconnected challenges facing our oceans and climate. The conference will be held in Halifax from May 10 to 11, 2027, alongside a youth summit. It will be chaired by Canada's new Ocean Envoy, Mme. Diana Fox Carney.

Prime Minister Carney co-hosted a high-level meeting on the implementation of the two-state solution and UN 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 Palestine. This includes $20 million for peace and stabilisation initiatives and $80 million for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank. It brings Canada's total contribution to the needs of Palestinian civilians to more than $600 million since October 2023.

While in New York City, Prime Minister Carney also reaffirmed Canada's commitment to global health and security, announcing more than $16 million to strengthen global biosecurity through work with international partners to mitigate deliberate disease threats and help prevent and respond to diseases like Ebola.

On the margins of UNGA, the Prime Minister met with leaders from Chile, Angola, and Jordan to diversify Canada's diplomatic, trade, and security relationships.

In a more uncertain world, Canada is taking control of its future. By building our strength at home and forging new connections abroad, Canada is strengthening its sovereignty, expanding opportunities for Canadians, and helping build a more secure and prosperous international system.

Quotes
"At this pivotal moment in history, the world can count on Canada. In the face of upheaval and uncertainty, Canada shows up, builds coalitions, and gets work done – for our environment, our security, and our shared prosperity. The United Nations is vital to this work as a pillar of global stability and dialogue. Canada is a steadfast supporter of this institution, and we will ensure it remains an effective force for peace, stability, and prosperity for all."
-- The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada

"The world is changing, and Canada is meeting that change with purpose. By deepening our relationships and advancing our interests abroad, we are strengthening Canada's position in the world and contributing to a more stable international system. We will continue to build the partnerships and capacity Canada needs to advance our interests and strengthen our place in the world."
-- The Hon. Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs

"This year's UNGA brings together countries from around the world at an important moment for the international community and for multilateralism. Canada came to the table ready to strengthen longstanding partnerships, build new ones, advance shared priorities, and contribute to a stronger and more effective multilateral system. Our engagement this week reflects Canada's continued commitment to confronting, through UN institutions, the challenges we face together."
-- The Hon. David Lametti, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations

Quick facts

• Prime Minister Carney was accompanied at UNGA by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, and the Secretary of State (International Development), Randeep Sarai.
• Following its launch on September 21, the following countries have also joined the Partners for Multilateralism coalition: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, Guatemala, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Norway, San Marino, Slovakia, Spain, Türkiye, and Uruguay.
• The OceanEye International Alliance is a new initiative to strengthen global ocean observation capacity in support of climate forecasting, maritime security, and sustainable economic growth.
• Canada will host the 12^th Our Ocean Conference (OOC), in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from May 10 to 11, 2027. As host of the OOC, Canada will work with global partners to accelerate commitments, strengthen ocean governance, and translate international ambition into tangible results. The OOC will be chaired by Canada's new Ocean Envoy, Mme. Diana Fox Carney.
• Canada recognised the State of Palestine in 2025 and continues to support a two-state solution in which an independent and viable Palestinian state lives alongside a safe and secure Israel. Canada, France, and the United Kingdom have committed to coordinated action to protect the viability of a two-state solution, including measures related to goods originating from Israeli settlements.
• The funding announced today brings Canada's total assistance contribution in response to the humanitarian and resilience needs of Palestinian civilians to more than $600 million since October 2023.
• As part of its participation in the UNGA High-level Week, Canada also announced new sanctions against five individuals and five state-directed Iranian entities under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations for their participation in gross and systematic human rights violations.
• Canada has actively contributed to the UN since its creation, including as its sixth-largest donor, contributing over $2.2 billion in 2024 to initiatives that advance sustainable development, promote human rights, address urgent humanitarian needs, and uphold international peace and security.
• Canada's participation at this year's UNGA builds on the government's broader efforts to diversify and deepen the country's international partnerships. Over the past 18 months, we have signed more than 20 new economic and security partnerships across five continents. Foreign direct investment in Canada is at its highest level in two decades, running at twice the rate of our nearest G7 competitor.

Related products

• Backgrounder: Prime Minister Carney advances collective security, climate, and economic missions at the 81^st United Nations General Assembly
• Prime Minister Carney meets with President of Chile José Antonio Kast
• Prime Minister Carney meets with President of Angola João Lourenço
• Prime Minister Carney meets with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan
• A joint commitment to multilateralism, international law, peace and prosperity
• Ocean Panel leaders reaffirm commitment to ocean action on the road to COP31

Associated links

• Canada and the United Nations
• General Assembly High-level Week 2026
• Our Ocean Conference

This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca

SOURCE Prime Minister's Office

PMO Media Relations: [email protected]