September 12, 2000 (1:25 p.m. EDT) No. 225

AXWORTHY TO ATTEND

55TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will be in New York from September 12 to 14 to attend the 55th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and to further advance Canada's foreign policy priorities. Minister Axworthy will deliver Canada's address to the General Assembly in the afternoon of September 14.

Canada's focus at this year's General Assembly will be the human security agenda and consolidating Canada's Security Council initiatives from over the last two years. Priority will be given to war-affected children, the protection of civilians, humanitarian intervention and peacekeeping reform, the International Criminal Court, and small arms and disarmament issues.

"Canada is securing lasting changes as a result of our Security Council initiatives," said Mr. Axworthy. "The Millennium Declaration, adopted by all UN members, is an affirmation of the centrality of Canada's human security agenda."

Reform of peacekeeping is also essential. "It will be an important follow-up to the report from the panel of experts, led by UN Under Secretary-General Lakhdar Brahimi, studying all aspects of peacekeeping. We will work with Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette, who has been tasked by the Secretary-General to develop an action plan for its implementation," added the Minister.

On September 13, Mr. Axworthy will launch Canada's campaign to bring the International Criminal Court into force. Initiatives related to the promotion of the signature, ratification and implementation of the International Criminal Court Statute will be unveiled.

On the morning of September 14, he will also launch the independent International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty. The Commission is being established by Canada to promote and structure debate on the range of issues encompassed under the heading of Intervention and State Sovereignty.

During his time at UNGA 55, Minister Axworthy will hold various bilateral meetings. These will include meetings with Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and foreign ministers from Britain, Mongolia, Peru and Egypt. Mr. Axworthy will also meet with counterparts of the Rio Group Troika, and will attend the G-8 dinner.

In addition, on September 13, Minister Axworthy will host his annual UNGA working session with foreign ministers of countries participating in the Human Security Network. This will provide an opportunity to promote concrete actions in support of the human security agenda and identify areas for co-operation. Ministers will also brief their colleagues on their human security initiatives in the follow-up to commitments made at their last Ministerial meeting in Switzerland in May 2000.

Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan will represent Canada at the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which will meet on September 15 and 16. The group will discuss key issues including the situations in Pakistan, Fiji and the Solomon Islands.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874