OREANDA-NEWS. The Honourable Stephane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that the Government of Canada is taking concrete action to prevent and respond to conflicts abroad and to support UN peace operations in building a more peaceful and prosperous world.

Building on Canada’s strengths and commitment to multilateralism, Minister Dion, at the UN General Assembly, announced a package of up to $25 million of support over three years to enhance UN capacity in the area of conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding. The funding is provided as part of Canada’s new Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs), which was unveiled in August 2016,

The new funding includes:

  • $10 million over three years to the UN Department of Political Affairs to reinforce the UN’s ability to find political solutions to conflict through conflict prevention, mediation and conflict-resolution efforts, and;
  • up to $15 million over three years to the UN Peacebuilding Fund to provide rapid, targeted funding to respond to emerging crises in fragile and conflict-affected states and strengthen efforts to build lasting peace and stability in countries emerging from conflict.

This funding demonstrates Canada’s commitment to the UN’s peace operations and mediation, conflict prevention and post-conflict efforts.

Canada has a long and proud history as a founding member of the UN. From the very beginning, Canada has made significant contributions to the organization’s mandate to promote international peace, human rights and development.

Minister Dion also announced $2 million in funding from Canada’s Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program that will support two Global Counterterrorism Forum initiatives. The first, the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, aims at addressing violent extremism at the community level. The second, the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law, works for judicial and prosecutorial cooperation.