Policy Updates

On August 14, 2025, the resumed 5^th session of the INC-5.2]{title="Fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee"} in Geneva, Switzerland, concluded without reaching a consensus on a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution, though UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen and UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that all member states agreed to continue negotiations.

Negotiations to establish a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution concluded without an agreement. UN officials, including UNEP Executive Director Andersen and UN Secretary-General Guterres, acknowledged the outcome but emphasized that all countries remained committed to the process. The talks, which included delegates from 183 nations and representatives from over 400 CSOs faced significant differences on key issues.

The US delegation supported an agreement that allows for tailored, country-specific solutions to reduce plastic pollution while opposing prescriptive, top-down regulations. INC Chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso and INC Executive Secretary Jyoti Mathur-Filipp reaffirmed their dedication to moving forward and achieving a future agreement.

On July 31, 2025, JICA held a signing ceremony for a US$90 million loan to HDBank to support Vietnam's agricultural sector.

The loan is co-financed with FinDev Canada and SMBC. The project aims to improve access to finance in Vietnam's agricultural sector by providing long-term loans through the bank, thereby contributing to the expansion of agricultural production and income.

The project is the second under the SMBC- JICA Sustainable Finance Framework and is also part of SAFE. The initiative contributes to SDG # 1, SDG # 2, and SDG # 8.

On July 29, 2025, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand announced CAD40 million (US$29 million) in new funding for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

The announcement was made at the UN High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine. The funding includes:

• CAD30 million (US$22 million) for humanitarian assistance, focusing on logistics, scaling up aid delivery, and providing supplies; and
• CAD10 million (US$7 million) to support the Palestinian Authority’s role in stabilizing and governing the West Bank.

With this new funding, Canada has committed over CAD355 million (US$260 million) in international assistance to Palestinians since October 2023. Minister Anand reiterated Canada's support for a two-state solution, an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and sustained humanitarian access to Gaza.

On July 9, 2025, Canada pledged a CAD7 million (US$5 million) contribution to a new technical assistance project in the Republic of Moldova aimed at empowering rural women and promoting climate resilience.

The initiative, titled Advancing Climate Resilience and Women’s Empowerment in Moldova, will enhance access to training and resources in agroforestry and climate-smart agriculture. It focuses on supporting women entrepreneurs in rural areas by strengthening leadership, financial inclusion, and business development capacities.

This project reflects Canada’s broader commitment to gender equality and sustainable development, and follows ongoing Canadian support to Moldova in areas such as governance and economic resilience. It builds on Canada’s broader engagement, including a recently announced CAD120 million (US$88 million) sovereign loan to bolster Moldova’s financial resilience.

On June 30, 2025, Canadian Secretary of State Randeep Sarai announced Canada’s support for new blended finance initiatives totaling US$17 million at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development.

The pledge included:

• CAD10 million (US$7 million) for a blended finance accelerator to support gender-responsive investment in emerging markets;
• CAD5 million (US$4 million) to help developing countries improve domestic resource mobilization in the digital economy; and
• CAD2 million (US$1 million) to support SDG-aligned national financing strategies with the UNDP.

Canada also endorsed the Sevilla Platform for Action on private capital mobilization.

On June 29, 2025, Canadian Secretary of State Randeep Sarai concluded her visit to Ghana, announcing CAD13 million (US$9 million) in new funding to expand the EMPLOY project, aimed at improving vocational and technical skills training for Ghanaian youth, particularly women.

The initiative supports economic empowerment through education in trades such as solar panel installation and machinery operation. The visit also highlighted Canada’s broader partnerships in climate-smart agriculture, gender equality, and green entrepreneurship.

On June 17, 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a CAD2 billion (US$1.4 billion) assistance package to support Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction during the closing of the 2025 G7 Summit in Quebec.

The funding was positioned as a signal of Canada’s continued leadership and commitment to Ukraine amidst ongoing Russian aggression. While broader G7 unity appeared strained—with key figures like US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leaving early—Canada used the platform to reinforce its role as a reliable ally.

From June 9-13, 2025, the 3^rd UN Ocean Conference was hosted in Nice, France, ending with over 170 countries adopting a joint declaration committing to urgent measures for ocean conservation and sustainable use.

The event featured 55 heads of state and government as well as upwards of 15,000 participants from civil society, business, and science. The Nice Ocean Action Plan, combining this declaration with voluntary pledges, was said to mark renewed global political will for marine protection.

Key commitments included:

• A European Commission pledge of EUR1 billion (US$1.1 billion) for ocean conservation;
• A pledge by French Polynesia to create the world’s largest marine protected area;
• A pledge by New Zealand of US$52 million for Pacific Ocean governance;
• A pledge by Italy of EUR6.5 million (US$7 million) to strengthen Coast Guard surveillance in marine protected areas and on oil platforms;
• A pledge by Spain to establish five new marine protected areas, aiming to safeguard 25% of its marine territory;
• A pledge by Germany of EUR100 million (US$115 million) for Baltic and North Sea munitions clearance;
• The launch of a Coral Bond for reef conservation by Indonesia, WB, and partners.

37 countries, led by Panama and Canada, launched the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean, while Canada pledged US$9 million to the Ocean Risk and Resilience Alliance. UN agencies and global partners also launched a co-design process for One Ocean Finance to unlock billions in new financing from ocean-dependent industries and blue economy sectors.

Nineteen more states ratified the Marine Biodiversity Treaty, bringing total signatures to 136 and ratifications to 50 states, plus the EU. Ten more ratifications are needed for the Agreement to enter into force. The 4^th UN Ocean Conference, in 2028, will be co-hosted by Chile and the Republic of Korea.

On June 4, 2025, new findings from the Global Climate and Health Alliance showed that only 21 of 195 countries party to the UNFCCC Paris Agreement have submitted updated NDCs for 2035, nearly four months past deadline with most NDCs mentioning health benefits, such as reduced air pollution, but few including systems to track health outcomes.

The GCHA reviewed 11 countries’ NDCs and found that while many reference health benefits, only the UK’s plan includes specific air quality monitoring. Kenya’s NDC aims for 100% renewable energy and a 35% emissions cut by 2035, yet does not explicitly measure air pollution benefits. Brazil’s NDC focuses on deforestation and fossil fuel transition but lacks clarity on new oil extraction and zero deforestation pledges. The US, after submitting its plan, has withdrawn its targets, weakening global momentum.

Recent NDCs highlight varied approaches: New Zealand targets “super pollutants” but is seen as unambitious; Japan’s continued fossil fuel use has significant health impacts; Canada is phasing out coal; and the UAE is developing a national monitoring system. However, most plans fall short of the 1.5°C goal, with the UK as a notable exception.

The World Bank estimates that halving global exposure to dangerous air pollution by 2040 would require annual investments to rise from US$9 billion in 2020 to US$14 billion in 2040. Despite this, climate finance commitments remain inadequate, and the ;abbrUS exit further strains resources.

On May 16, 2025, Canada announced over CAD60 million (US$43 million) in support of UN peace operations during the 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin, which seeks to tackle tactical airlift for peacekeeping, specialized training, advancing the WPS agenda, and enhanced protection of civilians through the Elsie Initiative.

Canadian ministers emphasized the importance of modernizing peace operations to address current conflicts. Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand highlighted peacekeeping as a collective effort that aligns with Canada’s interests. Minister of National Defense David McGuinty reiterated Canada’s dedication to improving UN operations through training and airlift capabilities. Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and global stability.

The UN Peacekeeping Ministerial focused on strengthening peacekeeping by addressing capability gaps and fostering innovation. As the 8^th largest financial contributor to UN peace operations, Canada continues to lead in promoting effective and inclusive peacebuilding efforts.