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PRIME MINISTER TO ATTEND
58TH SESSION OF UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
September 18, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that
he will attend the opening of the 58th session of the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA), September 22-23, 2003. While in New York, he will
participate in a number of meetings with other leaders and address the General
Assembly on September 23.
"The Secretary-General and I share the desire to see multilateral
cooperation strengthened through the UN," said the Prime Minister. "In
particular, my priority at the General Assembly will be to discuss with other
leaders ways in which we can build greater consensus and move forward on
"the responsibility to protect." Given the continuing tragedy of
widespread civilian suffering in areas of conflict, Canada has taken a lead in
following up on this landmark report and underlining the responsibility of
sovereign states for protecting their own people."
On September 22, the Prime Minister will participate in the Leaders'
Roundtable at the "Fighting Terrorism for Humanity" conference.
Organized by the Norwegian Government in cooperation with the Elie Wiesel
Foundation for Humanity and the International Peace Academy, the conference aims
to provide leaders a forum to discuss the roots and origins of terrorism as well
as policy measures in the global campaign against terrorism.
Later that day, he will attend a Leaders’ interactive panel discussion on
HIV/AIDS. This discussion is part of the UN General Assembly's Special Session
on HIV/AIDS taking place that day. Canada is working with partners to meet the
Millennium Development goals and the UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS.
In doing so, Canada has increased its financial commitment to HIV/AIDS and
continues to provide increased human resources and technical assistance where
they are needed most.
Prior to his address to the United Nations General Assembly in the afternoon
of September 23, the Prime Minister will attend the Ad Hoc Meeting Between G8
and African Leaders and the UN Secretary-General on their Partnership in Support
of NEPAD.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Bill Graham will also be in attendance.
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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
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