Ottawa – Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, yesterday concluded the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula, which she co-hosted in Montréal with Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha and Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.
At the conference, the ministers announced the Montréal Pledge —concrete steps to help return prisoners of war, unlawfully detained civilians and deported children, including support as these people reintegrate into their daily lives.
Minister Joly hosted foreign ministers and high-level representatives from more than 70 countries and international organizations to advance Ukraine’s 10-Point peace formula, identify diplomatic approaches to address the human dimension of the war and strengthen the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. The minister chaired a session on identifying strategies to increase the exchange of information on the locations, health statuses and legal statuses of prisoners of war, unlawfully detained civilians and deported children.
The harrowing survivor testimonies — from a detained Ukrainian military medic, the wife of an imprisoned journalist and a former prisoner of war — shared during the conference served as powerful reminders of the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
As co-chair of Working Group 4 and leader of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, Minister Joly thanked Qatar, South Africa and the Holy Sea for their offer to serve as intermediaries to support and negotiate the return of children. She also thanked the United Arab Emirates for the role they are continuing to play on mediating the exchanges of prisoners of war. Finally, she expressed her appreciation to Norway, Lithuania and Qatar, who have offered to provide a supportive environment for returning Ukrainians returning home.
During the conference, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed the diverse group of states that came together to find diplomatic solutions and concrete actions to protect Ukrainian people.
“Canada is taking action to help return prisoners of war, unlawfully detained civilians and deported children and to strengthen existing humanitarian support. I am proud to announce the Montréal Pledge to bolster Canada’s support for Ukraine in its efforts for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.” – Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada