Monsieur le Premier Ministre,
Mesdames et Messieurs,

C’est la cinquième fois que je viens au Canada depuis que je suis Secrétaire général. C’est la première fois depuis que M. Trudeau est Premier Ministre. Nous venons d’avoir des échanges très constructifs sur toute une série de questions importantes. Nous avons parlé des changements climatiques, des opérations de paix, du développement durable et de la situation des migrants et des réfugiés. Nous avons également parlé des points chauds de la planète, dont la Syrie.

Je remercie le Premier Ministre de sa collaboration vigoureuse avec l’Organisation des Nations Unies. C’est un grand plaisir de travailler avec lui et avec le Gouvernement canadien.

Ladies and gentlemen.

The weather here is quite cold, but the relations between the United Nations and Canada are very, very warm.

Since the United Nations was founded, Canada has always been one of our most important partners.

We thank former Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lester Pearson for helping to pioneer United Nations peacekeeping.

Prime Minister Trudeau has declared Canada’s recommitment to the United Nations. I am here to declare that the United Nations enthusiastically welcomes this commitment.

At the Climate Conference last December, Prime Minister Trudeau’s leadership helped us secure the breakthrough we needed for the historic Paris Agreement on climate change. Now we need Canada to put the Agreement into action and help keep the rest of the world on track. I have invited the Prime Minister to attend the signing ceremony in New York on April 22. This will be the best possible way to mark Mother Earth Day.

I also commend Canada for its compassionate approach to migrants and refugees. Later today, I will visit the Catholic Centre for Immigrants.

This will build on my many meetings with refugees and migrants around the world. They have lost their homes and their family members. They deserve opportunity, human rights protection and peace. Canada is helping to give them hope. I applaud highly Canada’s commitment to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees. This is a great demonstration of compassionate leadership.

I also commend the Prime Minister for committing to addressing United Nations human rights recommendations on indigenous peoples in Canada, particularly violence against indigenous women and girls.

I am impressed by Prime Minister Trudeau’s commitment to young people. Later today, we will meet together with high school students. He is showing and leading by example by combining his portfolio as Minister of Youth with his premiership.

Although I will be in Canada for only three days, we are laying plans to strengthen our collaboration for years to come.

I have brought a number of my top senior advisors – including senior officials dealing with peacekeeping, humanitarian emergencies, sustainable development and youth. We are focused on concrete results. I am confident that our collaboration will have a meaningful impact on the lives of people around the world.

Thank you. Merci beaucoup.