Canada Pushes ‘Middle Powers’ Strategy at U.N., Says FM Anita Anand

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Canada is leaning into a more assertive role as a champion of middle powers at the U.N. General Assembly, Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Tuesday as delegations gathered for the annual meeting.

Anand said Ottawa's so‑called "middle power strategy" is beginning to show results and that the assembly provides a valuable forum to expand cooperation with like‑minded countries.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand speaks outside United Nations headquarters during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)(AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

"This is, of course, a key moment because so many countries from around the world come to have conversations about their respective foreign policies. And many middle powers indeed look to Canada, look to us, to lead in this conversation," Anand said.

Her remarks came a day after Canada helped launch a new coalition of countries and organizations advocating for rules‑based international cooperation — dubbed Partners for Multilateralism — during events on the assembly's sidelines.

Canada has been a U.N. member since the organization’s founding 81 years ago and has long contributed to diplomatic debates, humanitarian efforts and policy making; Ottawa has been elected to the influential U.N. Security Council six times.

Canada Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand, center, attends the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)(Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)

This year, Canadian diplomacy has taken on a sharper tone. Former central banker Mark Carney drew attention at the World Economic Forum in January when he warned that intensifying geopolitics amounted to "a rupture in the world order" and urged middle powers to coordinate: "If we're not at the table, we're on the menu."

Separately, Canada has pushed back in trade‑related dealings with the United States, and Ottawa allowed recent talks to lapse rather than accept terms it described as unacceptable. The government has also signaled an economic pivot: officials say they aim to boost trade beyond the U.S. market and are pursuing deeper ties with the European Union and new trade talks with countries such as India.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand speaks outside United Nations headquarters during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)(AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Carney — an influential voice in international finance — convened hundreds of investment executives at a Canadian summit last week as part of broader efforts to attract capital and diversify trade partnerships.

Canada's priorities under the middle power strategy span trade diversification, transatlantic security, Arctic defence and continued support for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. Anand described the approach as "principled pragmatism" and said her speech to the assembly on Saturday will focus on implementation.

By contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump did not mention Canada in his Tuesday address, instead highlighting American economic, military and technological strengths and celebrating foreign investment in the United States.