Trudeau Urges Global Leaders at UN to Set Aside Disputes for Collective Progress

At a time of growing global instability, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says world leaders face a crucial choice: either ignore the challenges or come together for the sake of future generations.

“We must recognize that we have a shared responsibility to put aside our differences and confront serious global challenges, delivering on a pact for the future,” Trudeau stated on Sunday during the Summit of the Future in New York, part of the 79th United Nations General Assembly.

The Summit of the Future, initiated by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in 2021, continues through Monday. Meanwhile, the General Assembly, which commenced on September 10, will begin its high-level general debate on Tuesday.

The summit’s focus is on reforming the UN, revitalizing multilateral cooperation, and addressing new challenges at a time when the global body has faced criticism over its handling of key issues such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the war in Gaza.

Last week, Guterres called on member nations to compromise and support the Pact for the Future, a framework aimed at tackling a range of global challenges. However, countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia, and others have pushed back against certain provisions, particularly regarding climate change and reforms to international financial institutions.

Trudeau encouraged leaders to embrace the plan to ensure that future generations have “a real and fair chance.”

On Sunday, Trudeau was scheduled to meet with Guterres, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul. He is also set to appear on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Monday night.

In addition, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated the Biden administration’s support for reforms to the UN Security Council, proposing two permanent seats for African nations and a new elected seat for small island developing states.

Canada, a founding member of the United Nations in 1945, played a key role in drafting the UN Charter and has remained an active participant in its mission.

PM Co-Chair of Sustainable Development Group
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, co-chair of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocates group, will reaffirm Canada’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda. This 15-year global framework, adopted in 2015, envisions a world free from poverty and hunger, with access to equal education, universal healthcare, and other ambitious goals.

Trudeau will also co-host a discussion with Haiti’s acting prime minister, Garry Conille, to explore “Haitian-led solutions” to the country’s crises, according to a news release. Canada remains heavily involved in addressing Haiti’s ongoing humanitarian, security, and political challenges. A UN report from June highlighted the displacement of nearly 580,000 Haitians since March due to escalating gang violence.

In addition, Trudeau will co-host an event with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, focusing on climate change, carbon pricing, and industrial decarbonization.

The assembly is overshadowed by pressing geopolitical challenges, including the Middle East conflict. Last week, Canada abstained from a UN vote demanding that Israel end its “unlawful presence” in Gaza and the occupied West Bank within a year. The non-binding resolution, brought by the State of Palestine, passed 124-14, with Canada among the 43 abstentions. The United States voted against it.

“We cannot support a resolution where only one party, Israel, is held solely responsible for the conflict,” said Bob Rae, Canada’s ambassador to the UN.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address the UN Security Council on Tuesday regarding Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Russia, holding a permanent seat on the Security Council, has faced widespread condemnation for violating the UN Charter with its aggression.

Trudeau will attend the General Assembly in New York until Wednesday morning, after which his government will face its first major test in the House of Commons. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has put forward a motion declaring no confidence in the government or the prime minister. The vote, set for Wednesday, will be critical, though the New Democrats and Bloc Québécois have stated they will oppose the motion, avoiding an immediate election.