Canada will toss its hat back in the ring for a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, the Liberal leader announced his intention to win back a seat on the council for a two-year term beginning in 2021.
“It’s time for Canada to step up once again,” he said in his speech. “We are determined to revitalize Canada’s role in peace-keeping."
Canada has held a seat on the UNSC every 10 years since 1948, but lost its bid in 2010 to Germany and Portugal, marking its very first failure to obtain a position. Trudeau said Canada will continue to strengthen its relationship with the UN and expand its contribution to international peace and security.
"From John Humphrey's work on the UN Declaration on Human Rights to Lester B. Pearson's pivotal role in the development of peacekeeping, Canadians have accomplished extraordinary things in support of the UN's mission to promote human rights, development, and peace and security," he explained in a press statement.
"We are determined to help the UN make greater strides in support of its goals for all humanity."
The UNSC consists of five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States — and 10 temporary members, whose goals are to settle international disputes peacefully and recommends dispute settlement terms or adjustment. The council also has the collective authority however, to impose sanctions when necessary and authorize the use of force.
Campaigns for the council typically take years, and involve much diplomatic horse trading, something the previous Harper government considered to be a compromise. The UN General Assembly will vote on new candidates for the council in fall 2020, which means Trudeau will have to win another federal election in 2019 if he wants to see Canada on the council under his leadership.
Trudeau was in New York City for talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, whom he met in Ottawa in February.
- with files from Canadian Press
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