Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in New York City

The Permanent Mission of Canada delivers on Canada’s multilateral foreign policy priorities at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York City. Through diplomacy, negotiation and analysis of UN activities, the Mission works to advance Canada’s interests and strengthen the pillars of the UN:

international development
peace and security
human rights

One of Canada’s key priorities is protecting and enhancing the international rules-based order by championing values of inclusive and accountable governance, including by promoting human rights, women’s empowerment and gender equality and peaceful pluralism.

The Permanent Mission consists of the following policy sections:

The Political Section works to advance Canadian peace and security objectives, including through engagement on crisis management, conflict prevention, peacebuilding and enhancing support for UN Peace Operations. The Political Section covers the Security Council, 1st (Disarmament & International Security), 4th (Special Political & Decolonization) and 5th (Administrative & Budgetary) Committees, and leads on reform initiatives to modernize the UN.
The Development Section is engaged in following up on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UN Development system reform and oversight for UN Funds and Programs (UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women). The section, which covers ECOSOC and 2nd Committee (Economic & Financial), also works on climate change action, ocean protection and SDG financing.
The Legal, Social and Human Rights Section works to promote respect for human rights, facilitate Canada’s response to humanitarian crisis and further the development of international law and respect for rule of law. The section is also responsible for global refugee and migration issues, gender equality and women’s empowerment, Indigenous affairs, and transnational crime and drugs. The section covers the 3rd (Social, Humanitarian & Cultural) and 6th Committees (Legal).
The Military and Police Section provides subject matter expertise to the Ambassador and Political staff on the full range of security considerations and issues related to UN peace operations. The section works to advance Canadian objectives through engagement with the UN and Member States on conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peace enforcement and capacity building. Officers cover the Security Council, 4th Committee (Special Political & Decolonization), C34, and work with military and police experts from Member States to modernize and improve the effectiveness of UN Operations. The section works with the UN on training, deployment of personnel and contingents, and development of peacekeeping policy.