Canada, Ukraine, and Norway Announce Joint International Conference on Returning Deported Ukrainian Children
On September 12, 2026, Global Affairs Canada announced that Canada, in collaboration with Ukraine and Norway, will co-host a high-level ministerial conference titled 'Pathways to Peace: Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War.' The conference is scheduled to take place in Toronto, Ontario, on September 28 and 29, 2026. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand stated that the diplomatic gathering will bring together foreign ministers, international diplomats, and human rights organizations from around the globe to address one of the most critical humanitarian aspects of the war in Ukraine.
The agenda will focus primarily on three strategic areas: strengthening tracing and information-sharing networks to bring unlawfully deported Ukrainian children home, securing international access and protection for individuals currently detained under Russian control, and expanding medical, psychological, and social rehabilitation services for returned individuals. Building upon the Montreal Pledge and previous diplomatic commitments, the co-hosting nations aim to convert political statements into concrete mechanisms anchored in international humanitarian law. This initiative underlines growing international pressure to prioritize child protection and human rights within global peace dialogues.
