Co-Chairs' Statement for Pathways to Peace: Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Denys Uliutin, Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine, and Eivind Vad Petersson, State Secretary for the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, today issued the following statement:

September 30, 2026 - Toronto, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Denys Uliutin, Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine, and Eivind Vad Petersson, State Secretary for the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, today issued the following statement:

“Canada, Ukraine, and Norway were honoured to convene the Ministerial Pathways to Peace Conference in Toronto on 28-29 September 2026. We welcomed Foreign Ministers and other representatives of governments, international organizations, civil society, and experts from across the international community, united by a common conviction: that every Ukrainian child unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred, every unlawfully detained civilian, and every prisoner of war must be returned home.

“The conference took place against the backdrop of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine and its profound human consequences. Participants reaffirmed that respect for international law, including international humanitarian law, is not optional. Civilians must be protected, families must not be separated, and those unlawfully deprived of their liberty must be returned. We remain deeply concerned that thousands of Ukrainians continue to be held, displaced, or otherwise prevented from reuniting with their families, often with little information available regarding their whereabouts or well-being. Participants recalled the conclusion of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine that the deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children, as well as enforced disappearances, amount to crimes against humanity.