September 29, 2024 – Iqaluit, Nunavut – Global Affairs Canada
From September 27 to 29, 2024, Canadian and Nordic foreign ministers met in New York and Iqaluit, Nunavut, as part of the Canada-Nordic Strategic Dialogue. This meeting follows the commitment made by foreign ministers to hold a strategic dialogue during the prime ministers’ meeting in Iceland on June 26, 2023. On September 27, 2024, the foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark , Iceland, Norway and Sweden, as well as the State Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, met in New York. On September 28 and 29, they traveled to Iqaluit, Nunavut, where they were joined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Faroe Islands and a representative of the Government of Greenland (Naalakkersuisut). In Iqaluit, Iceland was represented by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of State and Ambassador for the Arctic.
Canada and the Nordic countries enjoy a strong and deepening partnership, anchored in our common democratic values, our shared interests in the North Atlantic and the Arctic region, and our commitment to the international order based on rules, multilateral cooperation, international law, democracy, human rights and the fight against disinformation. The transatlantic relationship is key to our collective security, and we will work together to strengthen it. This is the basis on which we commit to working together pragmatically to address the various complex global challenges, including those arising from challenges to the global order.
In New York, substantive issues were discussed regarding Russia’s illegal and large-scale invasion of Ukraine, transatlantic cooperation and worrying events unfolding in the Middle East, including the Gaza Strip. . The foreign ministers reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s continued aggression and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing to provide Ukraine with the means to defend itself for as long as necessary. They also condemned Russia’s hostile hybrid operations in response to its support for Ukraine.
The Iqaluit portion of the dialogue focused on Arctic issues. As Arctic nations, Canada and the Nordic countries share a deep commitment to multilateral cooperation and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. An inclusive engagement with those who live in this region, including indigenous peoples, is essential to ensure the stability, prosperity and security of the Arctic region. Foreign ministers pledged to work together to achieve these goals. To this end, they agreed to explore how to better maintain security dialogue among like-minded Arctic states.
In Iqaluit, delegations heard valuable perspectives from the Government of Nunavut, Inuit leaders including Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, national defense officials and the Canadian Rangers on the context, realities and challenges facing faced northerners in the Canadian Arctic. Foreign ministers expressed serious concern about the intensifying effects of climate change, particularly in the Arctic. They reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate pragmatically to address the complex challenges of climate change, promote sustainable economic growth in the Arctic, foster regional stability and support closer collaboration, including North-North and Indigenous ties. -Indigenous people.
Canada and the Nordic countries will continue to explore opportunities to deepen their collaboration to combat northern wildfires and ensure healthy oceans and ecosystem resources, as part of an oceans management approach global, sustainable and knowledge-based.
Foreign Ministers recognize that our countries have significant deposits of essential minerals and confirm their commitment to promoting the responsible development of sustainable and resilient value chains for these essential minerals, and to working together to advance economic well-being , defense and security, infrastructure, energy security and connectivity, including in the Arctic.
Foreign Ministers agreed to continue the dialogue on common political priorities and to further strengthen transatlantic cooperation between Canada and the Nordic countries.
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