Prime Minister Carney to attend 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly to diversify Canada's partnerships and press for a more effective UN
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OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 17, 2026 /CNW/ -- From day one, Canada's new government has been focused on what we can control: building our strength at home and diversifying our partnerships abroad. We are forging a dense web of new connections with reliable partners. We are pursuing flexible coalitions to tackle shared challenges and create greater security, stability, and prosperity for our peoples.
To advance this mission, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, today announced that he will travel to New York City from September 21 to 23, 2026, to participate in the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Building off the success of the first Canada Investment Summit and his visit to Strasbourg and Liverpool to further strengthen Canada's ties with the European Union and the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister will meet with international leaders and investors to further position Canada as a trusted ally and partner to build with.
At UNGA, Prime Minister Carney will participate in various forums and hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from around the world. He will work to deepen Canada's economic and security partnerships, broaden our network of partners, and advance peace and security – including Canada's steadfast support for Ukraine and its commitment to advancing a two-state solution for lasting peace in the Middle East. The Prime Minister will also position Canada at the forefront of international cooperation on key global priorities – including maritime security and ocean protection – while unlocking new opportunities for Canadian workers, businesses, and industries. As co-chair of the OceanEye International Alliance and in the lead up to the Our Ocean Conference that Canada will host in 2027, Prime Minister Carney will mobilise international support to advance a sustainable ocean economy and address the interconnected challenges facing our oceans and climate.
This year's UNGA takes place at a consequential moment for the United Nations (UN), as Member States advance discussions on reform and the selection of the organisation's next Secretary-General. During his visit, Prime Minister Carney will work with partners to help build a more effective UN, better equipped to deliver on its core responsibilities of peace and security, development, and human rights.
In a rapidly changing world, Canada is setting a new course. We are building stronger and more resilient partnerships to strengthen Canada's sovereignty, expand economic opportunities, and build greater security and prosperity for all Canadians.
Quote
"The world is looking at Canada differently. Investment in Canada is growing, our partnerships are deepening, and our influence is expanding. At a moment when the international order is being remade, Canada intends to help shape it. At the General Assembly, we will sit down with partners old and new, defend the rules that protect our sovereignty, and turn cooperation into real opportunity for Canadian workers and businesses."
-- The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick facts
- Canada is a founding member of the UN and has actively contributed to its work for over eight decades.
- Over the past year, sustained engagement by Member States, including Canada, has helped advance ambitious reforms to rationalise the UN's budget, improve administrative and financial efficiency, reduce duplication, and strengthen prioritisation across the organisation.
- Canada is the UN's sixth-largest donor, contributing approximately over $2.2 billion in 2024 to support the UN's core work on sustainable development, human rights, and international peace and security. Canada always pays its mandatory contributions to the UN on time, in full and without preconditions.
- Canada is a proud host state to UN entities, in particular the International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialised agency of the UN headquartered in Montréal for over 80 years.
- This year's Session of UNGA is being held under the theme "Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all".
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres' second term will end on December 31, 2026. The process to select his successor is underway, with the next Secretary-General expected to take office on January 1, 2027.
Associated links
This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca
SOURCE Prime Minister's Office
PMO Media Relations: [email protected]
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