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NEWS RELEASES

October 24, 2002 (12:40 p.m. EDT) No. 126

CANADA MARKS UNITED NATIONS DAY

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham issued this statement today on the 57th anniversary of the United Nations:

"October 24 is United Nations Day. Today Canada celebrates the founding of the United Nations and its achievements in all areas of human activity in every region of the world. Canada is one of 191 member states that form this global institution that allows the views of the international community to be voiced. The UN enjoys widespread support throughout Canada, at a time when the need to uphold democracy and justice in the world has become a stronger preoccupation than ever.

"Since the UN's inception in 1945, Canada has actively supported and participated in a wide range of UN initiatives and programs. Recent achievements include: the World Summit on Sustainable Development, attended by the Prime Minister in Johannesburg last month; the UN Special Session of the General Assembly on Children; and the International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey, which reinforced the partnership between developing and donor countries in development cooperation. Canada has served on the Security Council, most recently in 1999, and has been an active participant in UN peacekeeping missions.

"Canada looks forward to continuing to work within and strengthen the UN system and to promote peace and security, a better standard of living, and respect for human rights around the world."

For more information about the United Nations, visit http://www.un.org/

For information about Canadian policies and participation in the UN, visit the Web site of the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations, http://www.un.int/canada

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