Canadian Minister Melanie Joly successful participation in G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting
Canadian Minister Melanie Joly successful participation in G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting
The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, concluded a productive trip to Bali, Indonesia, where she participated in the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on July 7 and 8.
The Minister reaffirmed Canada’s strong commitment to multilateralism, recognizing that the most pressing issues of our time cannot be solved without global cooperation. She reiterated that the G20 could not ignore that one of its members, Russia, is violating international law with the invasion of its sovereign neighbour, Ukraine.
Throughout the meeting, the Minister met with a number of counterparts, including those from regions most affected by the growing food security crisis caused by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, and defended the principle of sovereign equality for all states with all G20 members.
The Minister rejected in the strongest terms Russia’s assertion that sanctions are responsible for the current global food security crisis. She noted Russia’s longstanding and well-known pattern of relying on disinformation to deflect blame onto Western countries and that Russia continues to attack one of the breadbaskets of the world, destroying Ukraine’s capacity to supply the world with key agricultural products.
To help address the global food security crisis, Canada is committed to doing its part. In addition to working hard to increase crop production at home, Canada is also looking for ways to increase its exports of fertilizers to help countries that will struggle the most with the food crisis. Canada has also recently announced $250 million in funding to help address the global food security crisis. This funding will address increasing global food and nutrition needs – especially for the most vulnerable and with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. Canada has also announced $52 million in funding to support agricultural solutions in Ukraine, including grain storage.
Minister Joly also called on the international community to fight against all export barriers and protectionist measures that would increase the price of food. She highlighted Canada’s support for the UN initiative to ensure the safe passage of grain and highlighted the need for a diplomatic solution reached with all parties acting in good faith.
Minister Joly thanked Indonesia for hosting this year’s G20 in difficult circumstances. Canada remains committed to the G20 and to working with its G20 partners to build a greener, fairer and more equitable future where no one is left behind.