Canada is a pillar of the United Nations and a critical element behind the organization’s vitality, according to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

March 16, 2004
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Paul Martin says Canada will lead the way in making globalization work for everyone

Canada is a pillar of the United Nations and a critical element behind the organization’s vitality, according to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

"For years, Canada has been one of the pillars of the United Nations,” he said. “In fact, it would be difficult to imagine the United Nations without Canada. I would even go so far as to say that it would be difficult to imagine Canada without the United Nations.

"Multicultural and bilingual, your country is a model amongst the members of the organization."

The Secretary General made the comments in a speech to parliament as part of his two-day official visit to Ottawa.

Annan was the first foreign dignitary invited by Prime Minister Paul Martin since being sworn-in on Dec. 12, 2003.

Annan said Canada's involvement in the United Nations is absolutely integral to the organization's livelihood. He encouraged Canada to "aim higher" in its quest strengthen world governance.

"Canada is already playing a leadership role which will allow the other developed countries to even better work together... to surmount difficulties,” he said. “Not only in respect to development but also with respect to humanitarian interests, with respect to governance, and... the fight against AIDS in which Canada has been a great leader – that is very important.”

The Secretary General praised Martin for his involvement in the UN Commission on the Private Sector and Development, a working group that recently released a report recommending ways to alleviate poverty by boosting entrepreneurship in developing countries.

"I hope that Canada will remain engaged and propose concrete measures to implement the report," said the Secretary-General.

Martin confirmed that Canada is intent on making globalization work for everyone.

"We all share the profound Canadian commitment to the cause of multilateralism and to the continuing health and vitality of the United Nations," he said. "Canadians were among the first and continue to be among the world's most steadfast supporters of the United Nations."

The Prime Minister said Canada will continue to maintain its solid track record of protecting human rights, involvement in peacekeeping and other areas of international importance such as being the first developed country to introduce legislation to provide inexpensive drugs for HIV/AIDS to developing nations.

"No country is more open to the world than Canada, and no country has a greater stake in making sure that our international institutions work fairly and effectively," the Prime Minister said.

In a funding announcement that coincided with the visit, the Prime Minister and International Cooperation Minister Aileen Carroll pledged $5 million immediately to help support the United Nations humanitarian assistance, reconstruction and transition efforts in Haiti. This will bolster an earlier commitment of 450 Canadian Forces personnel.