The Honourable Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs), today concluded her participation in the 2023 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial (UNPKM) meeting hosted by Ghana.
She participated on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and delivered Canada's pledges on her behalf, as well as on behalf of the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs.
During the UNPKM, the Parliamentary Secretary announced that Canada will provide specialized expertise, training and personnel, as well as over $20.4 million in funding for new projects and contributions to continue supporting UN peacekeeping operations, and will pledge up to an additional $6.2 million in support of protection of civilians. Canada's pledges will respond to the critical needs identified by the UN, help enhance the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations and address priority themes outlined by Ghana, including advancing the Agenda for Peace. Today's pledges will:
- Extend operational support through episodic tactical airlift to provide necessary goods and equipment to UN peace operations
- Strengthen and support the UN system through specialized training and capacity-building with new projects, such as combating misinformation and disinformation and hate speech in peace operations
- Advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda through the Elsie Initiative and renewed efforts towards the meaningful participation of uniformed women in peace operations
- Increase the protection of civilians, with a focus on women and children, and
- Support the safety and security of peacekeepers.
Canada's pledges signal an enduring commitment to the UN and multilateral engagement to address global peace and security challenges and strengthen the rules-based order.
While in Accra, Parliamentary Secretary Damoff met with representatives of other UN member states, as well as with senior UN officials. She also concluded a bilateral visit to Ghana, including a meeting with Ghana's Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
