At Saturday’s U.N. General Assembly, Iceland’s foreign minister turned Benjamin Netanyahu’s “moral cowards” label against leaders who refuse peace and block aid. Canada highlighted efforts to widen its partnerships, while a rumor that Xi Jinping would visit New York proved false.
Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Canada could no longer rely too heavily on any one partner. She highlighted efforts to expand economic ties with Europe, India, China and African countries, alongside new security, defense and economic deals. Canada is increasing defense spending in line with NATO commitments and recently opened a Greenland consulate to build Arctic connections. Prime Minister Mark Carney has argued that “middle powers” must look after themselves and the international order; Anand echoed that message.
Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir said “moral cowards” were leaders who refuse to negotiate a just and lasting peace, deny humanitarian aid to people in need or disregard international law. An anonymous U.N. source said no Chinese advance team was on site; Vice President Han Zheng spoke Saturday as scheduled, and Xi headed home to Beijing.
