+34
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand addresses the United Nations General Assembly around 5 p.m. local time, speaking on Arctic and Ukraine issues as well as Canada's middle-power strategy, in place of Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is set to address the United Nations General Assembly around 5 p.m. local time, following her counterparts from Oman and Tunisia.
Anand will deliver the speech instead of Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was at the UN from Monday to Wednesday. His officials said scheduling issues prevented him from delivering Canada's address. Anand said the speech will touch on the middle-power strategy that Prime Minister Mark Carney outlined at the start of this year. The address is also expected to cover Arctic and Ukraine issues, underscoring Canada's focus on those files at the world body.
Diplomacy And Conflict Approach
On Friday, Anand said Canada does not lean back from uncomfortable conversations. She said if people hide under a rock until conflicts disappear, you are not doing the work of diplomacy. Her remarks come as CTV News Political Commentator Scott Reid described the preparations for a U.S. invasion as mind-blowing and noted Carney's meetings with multiple world leaders. That commentary reflects the intense diplomatic activity surrounding this year's General Assembly session, where leaders and ministers gather for high-level meetings.
The UN gathering is the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Anand was photographed outside United Nations headquarters during the session on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. Anand's speech is one of many addresses by foreign ministers and heads of state during the high-level debate. Canada's turn comes late in the day, after Oman and Tunisia.
The middle-power strategy referenced by Anand is a framework Carney laid out earlier this year, aimed at positioning Canada among like-minded countries on global issues. Anand's approach, as she described it, favors direct engagement rather than avoiding difficult subjects. She said diplomacy requires facing conflicts rather than waiting for them to fade. Beyond the UN speech, the broader news cycle on Parliament Hill is busy.
Parliament Hill And Defense Deals
MPs are back on the Hill, and a major new bill is bringing significant drama, according to Capital Dispatch. Ottawa is also taking the next step in negotiations on a possible GlobalEye purchase from Saab, a defense file that could shape Canada's military procurement. The timing of Anand's address places Canada's message before the assembly during a session focused on multiple international crises, including the war in Ukraine and Arctic security concerns.
Carney's attendance earlier in the week allowed him to meet with multiple world leaders, though he left before Canada's scheduled address. Anand, as foreign affairs minister, is delivering the country's statement instead. The speech will be watched for how Anand frames Canada's middle-power role and how she addresses the Arctic and Ukraine files in front of the assembled delegations.
natnewswatch
CTVNews:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Federal Government Liberal Conservative NDP Anita Anand UN General Assembly Canada Middle-Power Strategy Arctic And Ukraine Mark Carney
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'We Rose and Fought Like Lions': Netanyahu Addresses UN General Assembly'The days when Jews were defenseless victims marched to the slaughter, those days are over.'
Read more »
Netanyahu delivers defiant speech at UN General Assembly, condemns genocide accusationsWatch Netanyahu delivers defiant speech at UN General Assembly, condemns genocide accusations Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
Read more »
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to Address United Nations General AssemblyForeign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is scheduled to deliver Canada's address to the United Nations General Assembly, with her speech expected to include the middle-power strategy outlined by Prime Minister Mark Carney. She also said Canada will not shy away from difficult conversations in efforts to resolve conflicts.
Read more »