October 14, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
Canada values the convening power of the Commonwealth as a forum to exchange information and discuss collective action on global challenges.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, took part in the virtual Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting to discuss multilateral solutions in addressing the global COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, and action on climate change.
The foreign ministers endorsed a strong Commonwealth Ministerial Statement on Racism and exchanged views on the global COVID-19 recovery plan. They discussed the impact of climate change on small and vulnerable states and reviewed preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which is scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, in June 2021.
“Canada is committed to strong and sustained engagement in the Commonwealth as a means to contribute to global recovery and transformation in these challenging times. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to devastating socio-economic impacts across the Commonwealth family, highlighting the need for greater international cooperation. At the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting today, I was pleased to discuss how Canada can support multilateral solutions for COVID-19 recovery and climate change and to endorse the Commonwealth Ministerial Statement on Racism.”
- François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Commonwealth foreign affairs ministers meet annually in the fall. This year’s meeting took place virtually and under the chairmanship of Dominic Raab, the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and First Secretary of State, as the United Kingdom is the current Commonwealth chair in office.
The modern Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 countries in five continents, most with historic links to the United Kingdom, a shared heritage and English language and a common attachment to democratic values and principles.
Canada joined the modern Commonwealth in 1949 and has played an important role in its evolution into the Commonwealth of today.
Canada’s engagement in the Commonwealth contributes to strengthening its relations with the 53 other member countries, in line with Canada’s support for multilateralism, the rules-based international order and its development and foreign policy priorities.
Syrine Khoury
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
[email protected]
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
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