PRIME MINISTER TO ATTEND 58^TH 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 58^th 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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