By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku
GhanaianNewsCanada | September 28, 2026
Canada has told the United Nations that it intends to pursue greater strategic autonomy as the international system undergoes what Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand described as a major rupture in the global order.
Speaking on behalf of Canada at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 26, 2026, Anand said Canada could no longer afford to depend excessively on any single international partner and would instead deepen relationships with a wider range of countries.
Her speech presented a broad outline of the Carney government’s foreign-policy approach, touching on economic diversification, sovereignty, international law, Ukraine, the Middle East, Iran, Haiti, maritime security, Arctic security and the future of the United Nations.
The address came at a significant moment for Canada’s foreign policy.
Prime Minister Mark Carney had travelled to New York earlier in the week for the UN General Assembly and held a series of bilateral meetings with international leaders. However, Anand delivered Canada’s formal national statement on Saturday, following the UN’s speaking schedule for the high-level week.
For Anand, the message was clear: Canada wants to remain internationally engaged while developing greater freedom to make its own strategic decisions.
Canada says the global order has changed
Anand opened her address by drawing on her background as the daughter of immigrants who grew up in Nova Scotia.
She compared the changing international environment to the changing tides of Canada’s Atlantic coast, arguing that countries cannot simply wait for global circumstances to return to the way they were.
She said the international system was experiencing a “rupture” rather than a simple transition.
According to Anand, major powers are increasingly stepping away from global economic cooperation and dismantling aspects of economic integration that had developed over decades.
She also warned that the sovereignty of states — a fundamental principle of the UN Charter — was increasingly being treated with disregard.
Her assessment reflects a broader argument that has increasingly shaped Canadian foreign policy under Carney: Canada must adapt to a world in which traditional assumptions about international cooperation and economic security can no longer be taken for granted.
Strategic autonomy at the centre of Canada’s approach
One of the most important phrases in Anand’s speech was “greater strategic autonomy.”
The minister said Canada’s objective is to have greater freedom to make its own decisions and protect its sovereignty in an increasingly uncertain international environment.
She said Canada could no longer depend on one partner and would instead diversify its international relationships.
“We cannot afford to be overly reliant on any one partner,” Anand said, outlining the government’s intention to strengthen relationships with both traditional allies and newer partners.
The approach is closely connected to Carney’s broader middle-power strategy.
Canada is not a superpower, but its government argues that countries of similar size can work together to influence international affairs, protect the rules-based international system and resist pressure from larger powers.
Anand has described the UN General Assembly as an important platform for this strategy because it brings together countries from around the world, including many other middle powers.
Moving beyond dependence on one economic partner
Canada’s relationship with the United States is an important part of the background to the government’s strategy.
The two countries have one of the world’s largest bilateral trading relationships, and Canadian businesses have traditionally relied heavily on access to the American market.
But recent trade disputes and tariffs have encouraged Ottawa to look for additional economic relationships.
Anand’s UN address did not directly name American tariffs or the recent collapse of trade talks with Washington. Instead, she spoke about the broader need for Canada to diversify its international partnerships.
The government’s position is that diversification can give Canada more options in a world where economic relationships can increasingly be affected by geopolitical decisions.
This means strengthening ties with Europe, Asia and other regions while maintaining relationships with established partners.
Canada’s approach is therefore not presented as abandoning the United States. Rather, the government is seeking a wider network of economic and strategic relationships.
Canada wants to work with other middle powers
Anand’s speech also reinforced Canada’s effort to bring together countries that occupy a position between the world’s largest powers and smaller states.
Earlier during the UN General Assembly, Canada joined other countries in launching Partners for Multilateralism, a group intended to strengthen international cooperation and support the multilateral system.
Anand has argued that other middle powers are increasingly looking to Canada for leadership in discussions about international cooperation.
The strategy reflects the view that countries do not necessarily need to be superpowers to influence international affairs.
By forming coalitions and working collectively, middle powers can increase their influence on issues such as trade, security, climate, technology and international law.
Ukraine remains a Canadian priority
The war in Ukraine also featured prominently in Canada’s diplomatic agenda during the UN General Assembly.
Anand’s participation in high-level meetings included discussions with international partners about continued support for Ukraine.
Global Affairs Canada said Canada used the UN week to strengthen cooperation with allies on Ukraine and reaffirm its support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Canada has been one of Ukraine’s longstanding international supporters since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The issue remains an important component of Ottawa’s foreign policy and its relationship with European allies.
During the UN meetings, Anand also participated in discussions involving Nordic and Baltic countries, which have been particularly focused on European security and the war in Ukraine.
Canada backs a two-state solution in the Middle East
Another major issue addressed by Anand was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Canada continues to support a two-state solution, with an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel.
In her UN speech, Anand said both Israelis and Palestinians have a right to self-determination.
She said Canada believes a negotiated two-state solution is necessary for lasting peace and security in the region.
Her remarks also reaffirmed Canada’s recognition of Israel’s right to exist while supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state living alongside Israel in peace and security.
The issue has become an increasingly important part of Canada’s international diplomacy as the humanitarian and security situation in the Middle East continues to attract global attention.
Canada’s government has also been working with international partners on efforts related to the Gaza peace process and a two-state solution.
Canada condemns repression in Iran
Anand also used the speech to highlight Canada’s position on Iran.
She said Canada would continue supporting the Iranian people in their calls for human rights, dignity and a better future.
Canada has also continued its role in leading the UN General Assembly resolution on the human rights situation in Iran, a responsibility it has held since 2003.
Anand said Canada would continue using diplomatic tools, including targeted sanctions, in response to what Ottawa considers unacceptable conduct by the Iranian regime.
The Canadian government announced additional targeted sanctions during the week of the UN General Assembly.
Haiti also receives attention
Haiti was another major issue on Canada’s diplomatic agenda.
Anand said the Haitian people deserve stability, security and the opportunity to build a better future.
Canada welcomed international efforts to support security in Haiti, including assistance from countries working to address gang violence and restore stability.
The country has faced prolonged political and security challenges, with armed gangs exerting significant influence in parts of the country.
Canada participated in discussions during the UN General Assembly aimed at strengthening security, stability and governance efforts in Haiti.
For Ottawa, Haiti is also a significant regional issue because of Canada’s longstanding relationship with the Caribbean and its involvement in efforts to support Haitian institutions.
Arctic sovereignty becomes increasingly important
Anand’s broader UN agenda also included Canada’s Arctic interests.
The Arctic has become increasingly important to Canada because of security, climate change, natural resources and growing international interest in the region.
Canada’s government has increasingly described Arctic sovereignty as an essential component of national security.
Anand’s participation in discussions with Arctic allies during the UN General Assembly reflects the government’s intention to deepen cooperation with countries that share concerns about security and sovereignty in the region.
The Arctic is also becoming more strategically important because changing environmental conditions are opening new possibilities for transportation and resource development.
That has increased interest from major powers and placed additional importance on Canada’s ability to protect and administer its northern territories.
Critical minerals, technology and defence
Anand’s concept of strategic autonomy extends beyond traditional diplomacy.
She identified areas such as emerging technologies, critical minerals, defence production and energy as strategic sectors in which Canada wants to strengthen its independence and resilience.
Critical minerals are particularly important because they are used in technologies ranging from electric vehicles and batteries to advanced electronics and defence equipment.
Canada possesses significant natural resources, giving it an opportunity to become an important supplier in global supply chains.
However, the government also wants Canada to develop greater domestic capacity to process resources and manufacture higher-value products rather than simply exporting raw materials.
That economic strategy is closely connected to Carney’s broader plans for investment and economic diversification.
Defending international law
Another central element of Anand’s speech was Canada’s continued commitment to international law.
She argued that the rule of law remains one of the foundations of Canadian society and should also guide the country’s international actions.
Canada reaffirmed its support for international institutions that uphold human rights and international law, including the International Criminal Court.
Anand also emphasized Canada’s continued commitment to the UN Charter.
Canada was among the countries involved in the creation of the United Nations after the Second World War, and Ottawa has traditionally presented the multilateral system as an important mechanism for addressing international conflicts and challenges.
The current government says that commitment remains important even as the international system becomes more fragmented.
Canada wants UN reform
Anand also acknowledged that the United Nations itself needs to change.
The UN is facing pressure to become more effective in dealing with modern challenges, including armed conflicts, artificial intelligence, climate change, global inequality and humanitarian crises.
Anand said the UN should not remain static and must be prepared for the future.
Canada has expressed support for efforts to reform and strengthen the organisation so that it can continue responding to global challenges.
Canada is also seeking a seat on the UN Human Rights Council for the 2028–2030 term.
Anand used her speech to ask UN member states for support for Canada’s candidacy.
Canada presents itself as a predictable partner
Throughout the speech, Anand returned to the theme of Canada as a reliable international partner.
She argued that while some countries are turning inward, Canada intends to remain engaged internationally.
The government says Canada’s relatively stable institutions, democratic system and commitment to international law make it a predictable partner at a time when global uncertainty is increasing.
This message is closely connected to Carney’s own argument that middle powers should work together rather than allowing the world’s largest countries to determine international affairs on their own.
Anand’s speech therefore reinforced a foreign-policy identity that is increasingly being associated with the Carney government: international engagement combined with greater Canadian strategic independence.
A new direction for Canadian foreign policy
The UN address represents another step in Canada’s evolving foreign-policy direction.
For decades, Canada’s international relationships were heavily influenced by its close economic, political and security relationship with the United States.
That relationship remains extremely important.
However, the Carney government is increasingly emphasizing that Canada must have more options.
That means strengthening relationships with Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and other regions while maintaining traditional alliances.
It also means investing in Canada’s own energy, defence, technology and critical-mineral capabilities.
The government argues that this approach will make Canada more resilient and give it greater freedom to make decisions based on Canadian interests.
What comes next
The challenge for the Carney government will be turning the language of strategic autonomy into concrete results.
Diversifying Canada’s economy requires new trade relationships, infrastructure and investment.
Strengthening Arctic sovereignty requires greater resources and cooperation with northern and Arctic partners.
Building defence and technological capacity requires substantial investment.
And maintaining Canada’s influence at the UN requires continued diplomatic engagement.
Anand’s speech suggests that Ottawa believes these efforts are necessary because the international environment has fundamentally changed.
The government is therefore preparing Canada for a world in which economic and geopolitical relationships are less predictable and where middle powers have to work harder to protect their interests.
For Canada, the message from New York was not a withdrawal from the international system.
Instead, it was an argument for deeper engagement on Canada’s own terms.
As Anand concluded her address, she urged countries to look beyond nostalgia for the previous international order and focus on building a new future through partnerships.
For the Carney government, that future is increasingly centred on a Canada that remains active internationally, strengthens its sovereignty, diversifies its partnerships and seeks a greater degree of strategic autonomy.
