Activities of Secretary-General in Canada, 11-13 February
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Madam Ban Soon-taek arrived in Ottawa, Canada, from New York, on Thursday morning, 11 February.
Upon arrival, the Secretary-General held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and the two leaders discussed climate change, the importance of conflict prevention, Canada’s support to peace operations and the resettlement of refugees, as well as strengthening humanitarian assistance. Speaking to the press afterwards with the Prime Minister, the Secretary-General said that the United Nations “enthusiastically welcomes” Canada’s recommitment to the organization.
In the afternoon, the Secretary-General visited the Glebe Collegiate Institute with Prime Minister Trudeau. The institute’s high-level students asked them questions ranging from the Syria crisis to climate change to the global economy.
The Secretary-General also visited the Catholic Centre for Immigrants and met seven Syrian refugee families who had arrived in Ottawa in December 2015 and January 2016. He told them that the United Nations “works day and night” to help those affected by the Syria crisis through political negotiations and humanitarian assistance.
In the evening of 11 February, the Secretary-General attended an official dinner hosted by Prime Minister Trudeau.
On 12 February, the Secretary-General met with the Governor-General of Canada, David Johnston, with whom he discussed the refugee/migrant crisis, humanitarian assistance, climate change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Following that meeting, he left for Montréal, where he met with Mayor Denis Coderre.
Speaking to the media with the Mayor, the Secretary-General said that, although his visit to Canada was short, he was confident that “with so much Canadian goodwill, we can strengthen the very important partnership between Canada and the United Nations for our common future”.
In the afternoon, the Secretary-General went to McGill University to deliver a keynote speech on the power of young people to shape a new future. Addressing students, he urged them to help turn major global responses, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris climate change agreement, into action. (See Press Release SG/SM/17535.)
“You are not here at McGill just for yourselves, but for our common future,” said the Secretary-General, calling on the students to rise to the challenges of their generation and join forces with the United Nations for a better world.
Later in the day, the Secretary-General addressed representatives of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), saying that the organization has always had a special place in the international community, linking us all and enabling us to travel the world safely and with confidence. Today, it continues to address some of the most pressing issues on the global agenda, he added. (See Press Release SG/SM/17536.)
He also met with the Premier of Quebec, Philippe Couillard, and the Minister of International Relations, Christine St-Pierre. They discussed various global issues, including violent extremism and the importance of addressing contributing factors such as marginalization, lack of employment and economic opportunities for youth, as well as radicalization through the Internet and social media.
That evening, the Secretary-General attended an official dinner hosted by Mayor Coderre.
On 13 February, the Secretary-General met with representatives of the Mohawk Nation at Kahnawake, who welcomed him to Montréal at a ceremony.
Following that, he visited the Centre for Prevention of Radicalization Leading to Violence. Speaking to Mayor Coderre and representatives at the Centre, the Secretary-General called the Centre’s plan to help individuals and families before the problems escalate “a compassionate and effective approach”. (See Press Release SG/SM/17538.)
Speaking to journalists at the Centre, the Secretary-General commended Canada’s efforts to tackle radicalization, as well as its support for the United Nations in addressing the issue.
The Secretary-General and his delegation departed Montréal for New York later in the afternoon.