Trudeau will be meeting Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, whom he hosted last month in Ottawa. At that time, he confirmed the government was looking at “a number of windows” to evaluate opportunities to mount a successful bid.
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Experts welcomed Trudeau’s effort to return to a more prominent role in the United Nations, but said Canada can’t rely on nostalgia alone if it wants to get back on the Security Council.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says setting aside parental leave that can only be taken by fathers may be a way of improving the flexibility available to young families.
The prime minister is expected to unveil Canada’s plan to seek to seek a UN Security seat.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talks during a news conference on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at the United Nations headquarters.
Axworthy said one of Trudeau’s campaign planks should be to reform the Security Council to do away with the veto of the five permanent members when it deliberates “humanitarian intervention” in a country.
The Canadian Press reported that advisers told Trudeau that it was unlikely Canada could run any time before 2020 because the United Nations grouping of countries to which Canada belongs – known as the Western European and Others Group – had a full slate of competitive candidates already lined up. The Council consists of five permanent members – the US, Britain, France, Russia and China – and ten revolving members that each hold two-year terms.
Trudeau is making the case to re-join the Security Council fresh off his state visit to Washington, where he and wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau were feted by U.S. President Barack Obama and wife Michelle.
The other 10 seats are filled by countries on a rotating basis from various world regions.
“Our last term concluded in 2000”.
In his speech, Trudeau said Canada wants to revitalize its entire relationship with the world body and he underlined peacekeeping as an area where Canada can have an impact. “This is how we build the world of tomorrow”.
While in New York, Trudeau is also expected to promote gender parity.
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Trudeau will be honoured at a gala dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel tonight for his “leadership in advancing diversity and gender equality, ” according to the non-profit organization hosting the event, Catalyst.
