UNICEF Canada President and CEO responds to Prime Minister Trudeau`s address at UN General Assembly

TORONTO/NEW YORK, September 20, 2016 – Today, as the UN General Assembly gets underway, Prime Minister Trudeau addressed the global body for the first time. His remarks emphasized the importance of embracing diversity, supporting a strong humanitarian response for those who have been uprooted around the world, promoting global health, and achieving the agenda for sustainable development. David Morley, UNICEF Canada`s President and CEO, is in New York and had the following response:

“We are very pleased to see Canada stepping forward on the global stage and showing leadership on so many of the most important issues facing the world`s children today.

Today, Prime Minister Trudeau`s speech epitomized Canadian values. As a society, we are already doing so much for women and children and, while we may not be perfect, our diversity, our compassion, and our action can be a lesson to the whole world. Canada is not only putting money into tackling these critical global issues, but is putting all its effort into being a model country – for all Canadians, and for the world. That is something we at UNICEF Canada stand behind.  We know we still have much to do at home but we are learning in the process.

Like Canada, we aspire to build a safe and prosperous world where all children have the right and opportunity to be healthy, educated and protected and the chance to reach their full potential. Nothing exemplifies this more than our outpouring of support when the world’s most vulnerable children and families are in crisis. We are bombarded every day with breaking news that highlights the world’s challenges and feeds our greatest fears – violent conflicts, health epidemics, climate-driven disasters and economic and political crises. We must not be paralyzed into inaction, but boldly determined to join together to act for the millions of people affected by these crises every day. Canadians care about these children and Canada’s humanitarian assistance is the greatest expression of these values.

Canada has demonstrated global leadership through a comprehensive response to the Syrian sub-regional and refugee crises. Through the additional funding announced yesterday, including $20 million to the Education Cannot Wait Fund and $78 million for the No Lost Generation initiative, more children will be able to go to school, to dream of a brighter future, and to gain the skills they need to achieve those dreams. 

UNICEF welcomes the ambitious and bold 2030 agenda for sustainable development. The new Global Goals provide an historic opportunity to advance the rights and well-being of every girl and boy, especially the most disadvantaged and most vulnerable. They shape a new agenda that integrates social and economic outcomes, underpinned by human rights, and works to address climate change. The Global Goals will drive action and investment in every country, marking a new era for sustainable development. At UNICEF, we commit to doing all that we can to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

Canada has a demonstrated track record of saving lives though leadership in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health. We commend Canada for hosting the Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and we stand with Canada to ensure the health gains made for women and children in recent years are not lost - and to reach those left behind

We welcome Canada`s revitalized engagement in addressing global challenges and look forward to working together to realize brighter futures for every child.”