Canadian Foreign Minister to Highlight Peacekeeping at Paris Conference

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Stephane Dion will highlight Ottawa’s recommitment to international peacekeeping efforts when he co-chairs a ministerial peacekeeping conference in Paris on October 27, Global Affairs Canada said in a press release.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Representatives from the International Organization of La Francophonie, the United Nations and the European Union will attend the conference, which aims to advance peace in francophone regions, the release said.

"Minister Dion will deliver remarks at the plenary session during which he will highlight Canada’s re-engagement in UN peacekeeping operations," the release stated on Wednesday.

In August, Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan announced Canada would commit 600 troops and $450 million to UN peacekeeping operations.

Seven of the 16 UN peacekeeping missions are in French-speaking regions, accounting for 55 percent of the peacekeeping operations budget.