UN General Assembly Remarks by Ambassador Marc-André Blanchard (CANADA) on Afghanistan Resolution - November 20, 2017 - UN General Assembly, New York

Mr. President,

I would like to sincerely thank Germany for leading the preparation of this year’s resolution on the situation in Afghanistan. I would like to also express appreciation on behalf of Canada for the presence of Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah at this assembly.

Canada remains steadfast in its desire for peace and security in Afghanistan. Fighting in Afghanistan has intensified and we are dismayed by the unacceptable toll it takes on the Afghan people. We hope that all domestic, regional and international actors will continue to focus on bringing an end to this violence.

For our part, we remain committed to ensuring Afghanistan does not become a haven for international terrorism again. We are dedicated to helping Afghans create a sustainable future and a country that is well governed, respects human rights and is in control of its own destiny.

Canada fully supports an Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process. We commend the Government of Afghanistan for their efforts towards fostering peace, including by convening the Kabul Process Conference in June of this year. The Kabul Process, held shortly after the devastating attack in Kabul on May 31, is but one example of an unwavering commitment to peace despite formidable challenges.

We also welcome the important role so many states and civil society actors are playing to bring about peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Especially important in this process are the tireless efforts of those who work to assist the most vulnerable and, in particular, internally displaced people, refugees, minority communities and women and girls.

Canada pledged $465 million in security sector support and development assistance to Afghanistan for the 2017 to 2020 period. At the core of our support is a focus on women’s and girls’ rights. This is in line with Canada’s Feminist Foreign Policy as well as our second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security commitments.

As we are all aware, sustainable peace and security cannot be achieved without the active and substantive participation of all members of society, including women and girls.  We are pleased to see the commitment in this resolution to achieving the full and equal participation of women in all spheres of Afghan life. Women play a vital role in the peace process and we echo the resolution in emphasizing the importance of respecting the rule of law and human rights in Afghanistan.

Furthermore, we note the vital role that police forces play in ensuring peace and security and lament the tremendous sacrifices Afghan police have made over the past year. We stand by our commitments to improve the capacity of the Police Forces through our funding and in co-chairing along with the Ministry of the Interior the International Police Coordination Board.

As we move forward on this resolution, I would like to note that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Ottawa convention to ban anti-personnel land mines. The use of anti-personnel landmines and the number of victims are decreasing around the world. I hope that achievements like this will continue to motivate us all in our efforts towards peace, emphasizing the importance of sustained international assistance as we work towards the goal of declaring Afghanistan mine-free by 2023.

Mr. President, Canada supports this resolution. We stand with the Afghan people, especially Afghan women and girls, as they strive for a more secure, prosperous and peaceful future.

Thank you.