Minister Anand meets with United Arab Emirates’ Minister of State for International Cooperation and Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Ukraine

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Ukraine of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They met on the margins of the Pathways to Peace: Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War, held in Toronto on September 28 and 29, 2026.

September 28, 2026 - Toronto, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Ukraine of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They met on the margins of the Pathways to Peace: Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War, held in Toronto on September 28 and 29, 2026.

Minister Anand congratulated Minister Al Hashimi on her receiving the Order of Princess Olga in October 2025 in recognition of her humanitarian diplomacy and support for families and children affected by Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine. Minister Anand also acknowledged the UAE’s mediation of prisoner of war exchanges, which has helped secure the return of thousands of Ukrainians held in Russian captivity.

Minister Anand reiterated Canada’s solidarity with the UAE and other Gulf partners in the face of ongoing attacks by Iran and its proxy groups in the region. The ministers said they look forward to deepening the Canada-UAE relationship, including opportunities to expand trade investment.

The two ministers agreed to remain in close contact.