Close X
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
ADVT 
National

Trudeau meets with Haiti's acting prime minister, calls for humanitarian help

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Sep, 2024 01:54 PM
  • Trudeau meets with Haiti's acting prime minister, calls for humanitarian help

Justin Trudeau will turn his focus to the ongoing crises in Haiti as he speaks with some world leaders Monday ahead of the 78th meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.

The prime minister met with the Caribbean country's acting prime minister, Garry Conille, on Monday morning before delivering remarks at a high-level meeting for a UN advisory group for Haiti.

Conille stepped into his role earlier this year after former prime minister Ariel Henry was forced out amid surging unrest and violence by criminal gangs that had overrun much of Haiti's capital.

At their meeting, Trudeau spoke about the "slow but real progress that is being made" in Haiti and affirmed Canada's ongoing support. Conille said the country is preparing for elections, possibly in 2026.

Later in the morning, Trudeau told other world leaders at a high-level advisory group for Haiti that "we must come together" with a serious plan to address the humanitarian needs in the country first, and to ensure there is support for a political transition.

He called on the international community to support the transitional government while cautioning that the status quo cannot continue.

Trudeau repeated calls he has made for two years for more countries to sanction Haiti's political and business elites who have helped gangs sow anarchy.

He also said Kenyan police officers must be given more support in leading a global effort to rout the gangs. Kenya is leading an international mission that has been controversial in Haiti but that the UN says is necessary to stop violence and curb the flow of weapons to other Caribbean countries.

Canada is closely invested in the response to the ongoing humanitarian, security and political crises. A UN report released in June said surging gang activity had displaced nearly 580,000 people in the Caribbean country since March.

The prime minister also met with Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, before attending a working luncheon hosted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Later Monday, Trudeau is scheduled to have a much different type of conversation while making his guest debut on CBS's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."

Trudeau arrived in New York on Sunday where he delivered remarks to the Summit of the Future, telling leaders they can choose to stick their heads in the sand or come together to confront global challenges.

The summit has a goal to reform the UN, reinvigorate multilateralism and find solutions to new challenges at a time when the global institution has struggled resolve conflicts and been largely relegated to faltering humanitarian efforts, including with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the war in Gaza and Sudan's civil war.

Trudeau told leaders to embrace the "Pact of the Future," a 42-page blueprint to address a wide range of 21st-century global challenges.

It was approved by the UN General Assembly during the opening of the two-day summit. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres thanked leaders and diplomats for taking the first steps and unlocking "the door" to a better future.

The pact had seen significant pushback from Russia, Saudi Arabia and other countries that object to some of the language on issues including climate change and reforming international financial institutions.

Its fate was in question until the last moment and UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Guterres had three speeches prepared to be ready for any outcome.

Guterres warned last week that "international challenges are moving faster than our ability to solve them." The passing of the pact brought some optimism at a time when increasing geopolitical instability around the world has cast a shadow over the assembly.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to address a special meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday about Russia's ongoing invasion. Russia has a permanent seat on the Security Council and has been resoundingly criticized over its aggression in Ukraine being a violation of the UN Charter.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly will join Trudeau in New York and will later deliver Canada's national statement to the UN General Assembly. The speech will emphasize "Canada's commitment to promoting multilateral co-operation, human rights, democracy and the rule of law," a news release from her office said.

"In the face of multiple global crises, the world needs a strong, effective and modern UN," Joly said in the statement.

"Through constructive dialogue, shared learning and collective problem solving at this year's (UN General Assembly), I am confident that we can effectively work together to address some of the most critical issues of our time.”

Joly will also take part in a panel with representatives from Ukraine and Estonia "that will underscore the urgent need to restore the rights of children worldwide and enhance child protection, including addressing the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia," the statement said.

She will co-host a panel discussion on the subject of media freedom and attend other events

MORE National ARTICLES

Poilievre urges Singh to end NDP deal with Liberals, force fall election

Poilievre urges Singh to end NDP deal with Liberals, force fall election
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is asking the New Democrats and Bloc Québécois to stop supporting the minority government and force an early election, saying Liberal policies are making life less affordable for Canadians. Poilievre called for the other opposition parties to vote non-confidence in the government when the House of Commons resumes next month. 

Poilievre urges Singh to end NDP deal with Liberals, force fall election

Incumbent BC United MLAs ponder futures as Conservatives after party demise

Incumbent BC United MLAs ponder futures as Conservatives after party demise
The political landscape in British Columbia has shifted with John Rustad's Conservatives now carrying the centre-right banner heading into a fall election campaign. BC United Leader Kevin Falcon's decision to pull his party from the upcoming campaign has opened the province to a clear left-versus-right choice for voters, but almost two dozen incumbent BC United politicians are now pondering their futures.

Incumbent BC United MLAs ponder futures as Conservatives after party demise

Cybersafety needs to be a priority for school aged kids: Coquitlam RCMP

Cybersafety needs to be a priority for school aged kids: Coquitlam RCMP
The Coquitlam R-C-M-P is urging parents to be mindful of what information about their children they share online. The Mounties say while sharing a back-to-school photo can be exciting, it could also give away important and private information without intention.

Cybersafety needs to be a priority for school aged kids: Coquitlam RCMP

Anti theft measures at Tim Hortons

Anti theft measures at Tim Hortons
A Tim Hortons location in Vancouver's Chinatown neighbourhood has removed most of the furniture from its dining area. The coffee shop is moving to a standing-room style of service as other stores in the city make changes of their own to discourage theft.

Anti theft measures at Tim Hortons

Help needed to solve BC cold case

Help needed to solve BC cold case
Mounties in West Kelowna are appealing to the public for new information that could help solve a double homicide in Peachland 20 years ago. Police say Dean Desimone and an unknown male suspect entered a home and got into a shootout with an occupant, Anthony Gorkoff, in April 2004.

Help needed to solve BC cold case

CBSA seizes drugs at YVR

CBSA seizes drugs at YVR
The Canada Border Services Agency says officers at the Vancouver International Airport seized nearly 25 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in passenger suitcases destined for Sydney, Australia, in two separate incidents last month. The agency says border officers used a detector dog to intercept 10 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in false compartments in two suitcases on July 27th.

CBSA seizes drugs at YVR