At the 81st United Nations General Assembly, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced new funding to drive progress on shared global priorities.
International security and stability
New funding for Gaza and the West Bank
Partners: Multiple, including the United Nations (UN), Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and NGOs
Funding: $100 million over one year
Countries: Palestine
Eighty million dollars of this funding will be used next year to provide needs-based humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, where 3 million people urgently require assistance. This includes the provision of food and nutrition assistance, health services, shelter assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene assistance as well as protection of the most vulnerable. An additional $20 million will be used to support peace and stabilisation efforts in the region. The funding builds on the announcement earlier this year of $100 million to support UN, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and NGO partners in delivering international assistance to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, bringing Canada’s total contributions to international assistance efforts in Palestine to more than $600 million since October 2023. This new contribution reflects Canada’s effort to address the crises in Gaza and the West Bank.
Advancing global health security through biological threat reduction
Partners: World Health Organization, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and Fondation Mérieux
Funding: $16.5 million over three years
Countries: Global, with focus on Africa
This funding includes three distinct but complementary projects that support biological threat reduction, biosecurity, and health-security objectives. Approximately $8.5 million will be dedicated to strengthening global biosecurity, addressing Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC), and countering deliberate chemical and biological threats. Approximately $5 million will be used to help reduce global biosecurity vulnerabilities and strengthen medical countermeasures, including through collaboration with NATO and other defence and security partners. Additionally, $3 million will be used to mitigate threats in Francophone West Africa posed by Ebola and other infectious diseases of bioweapons and bioterrorism. This project aligns with Canada’s commitment to the G7-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction.
Ocean observation and protection
Pledge to the Global Ocean Observing System
Partners: European Commission, IOC-UNESCO, World Meteorological Organization, other NGOs
Funding: $82 million over five years, starting in 2027-28
This funding pledge affirms Canada’s commitment to strengthen maritime safety, advance a sustainable ocean economy, respond to climate change, and protect marine ecosystems. Funding will be used to double Canada’s annual deployment of ocean sensor floats as part of the international Argo network, monitor currents in the North Atlantic and Davis Strait, support year-round Arctic Ocean observation by autonomous underwater vehicles, provide an Arctic network of moored sensor buoys providing real-time data, support continued contributions to Antarctic ocean research, and enhance Canadian data-sharing with partners.
Ratification of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction
Partners: UN
Funding: $24.4 million over five years and $1.8 million ongoing
As a country bounded by three oceans and a long-time leader on ocean governance and management, Canada announced that it has ratified the UN Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). The BBNJ focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in international waters, covering nearly half of the Earth’s surface – including the high seas and the international seabed area, which together make up the largest habitat on the planet. As part of the agreement, Canada will work with other governments, international organisations, the private sector, marine scientists, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples and local community partners to protect, preserve, and sustainably use the ocean, while restoring its health and strengthening its resilience.