OTTAWA - Prime Minister Mark Carney’s attempt to bring Canada closer to Europe and strengthen ties with countries around the world will continue this week in U.S. President Donald Trump’s hometown, as he attends the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City.
Senior government officials who briefed reporters ahead of the trip said Carney will meet with world leaders and business leaders, but it’s unclear if the prime minister and American president will meet on the sidelines of UNGA.
As some world leaders, like Trump, move away from multilateralism, one of the things Carney will focus on is reform of the United Nations and selection of the organization’s next secretary-general. Antonio Guterres is in his second and final five-year term as head of the UN, which comes to a close at the end of this year.
“At a moment when the international order is being remade, Canada intends to help shape it,” Carney said in a statement ahead of the trip. “At the General Assembly, we will sit down with partners old and new, defend the rules that protect our sovereignty, and turn co-operation into real opportunity for Canadian workers and businesses.”
Senior government officials added that the prime minister will “call for concrete progress on UN reform efforts, so the organization remains relevant in this new context.” Officials noted that Carney wants to see reform that “helps the UN continue to be efficient and relevant in this period of significant global change.”
Part of that change has seen the Trump administration withdraw the U.S. from multiple UN agencies and organizations, like the World Health Organization and the cultural agency UNESCO.
During a nearly one-hour speech at the General Assembly in 2025, during which the teleprompter stopped working, Trump railed against the UN and openly questioned the effectiveness of the organization, arguing it failed to serve U.S. interests.
“What is the purpose of the United Nations? The UN has such tremendous potential ... but it’s not even coming close to living up to that potential,” Trump said. Later, when meeting face-to-face with Guterres, Trump told the secretary-general, “our country is behind the United Nations 100 per cent.”
Advancing a two-state solution in the Middle East
On Tuesday, Carney is expected to co-host an event with France and the United Kingdom on the two-state solution, a year after the three countries recognized an independent Palestinian state at the General Assembly.
Last year, Canada recognized the state of Palestine as part of a co-ordinated international effort which Canadian officials said was to “preserve the viability of a two-state solution.”
That support came after the Palestinian Authority committed to advance governance reforms, pursue demilitarization and hold local elections.
Canadian officials told reporters these meetings will be an opportunity for nations to continue showing support for the two-state solution while looking at the implementation of key priorities and progress that has been made.
Face to Face with Trump
The UNGA in New York will also mark the first time Prime Minister Carney and President Trump will be face-to-face since trade talks between the two countries fell apart.
After a caucus retreat on Parliament Hill Saturday, the prime minister was asked directly whether he has plans to meet with Trump in New York.
“We’ll meet with lots of leaders in New York,” said the prime minister, offering no definitive answer.
The question of a meeting in the Big Apple between the two leaders, or even with anyone from the U.S. administration, was also raised during a technical briefing with reporters ahead of Carney’s visit.
“Nothing is confirmed right now,” said a senior government official speaking on a not-for-attribution basis.
Last month, Carney recalled his trade negotiating team from Washington after he said the U.S. introduced unacceptable requirements at the 11th hour. The U.S. has blamed Canada for the impasse.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said last week that her country is getting closer to a deal with Trump, and hopes to reach a deal soon.
Asked Saturday about what that could mean for Canada, the prime minister responded that “it means we’re a sovereign country.”
