Canada urges 'strategic autonomy' and a 'partners for multilateralism' push at the United Nations

Minister Anita Anon, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, told the United Nations General Assembly that Canada seeks "greater strategic autonomy" to reduce reliance on any single partner while strengthening collective action on pressing global problems. She said Canada will form "issue-based coalitions of nations" with partners that share urgency on common challenges.

Anon framed the approach as "values-based realism," arguing that Canada will diversify diplomatic and economic ties while deepening cooperation on emerging technologies, critical minerals, defense production and energy. "We will prioritize decisive, effective action by forging issuebased coalitions of nations that share a sense of urgency on common challenges," she said.

The minister announced a new initiative called "partners for multilateralism" intended to support United Nations reform and make global institutions more representative and effective. She said the initiative aims to strengthen the UN and related institutions, not replace them, and that Canada will work with small states, middle powers and great powers alike to advance reforms.

The minister closed by inviting other nations to join Canada in collective efforts to manage the 'rupture' in the global order and to defend principles of the UN Charter. The address stressed diplomacy and coalition-building as the primary tools Canada will use going forward.