Canada PM Trudeau to Talk Climate, Peacekeepers at U.N.

Increasing Canada's contribution to international peacekeeping, the fight against climate change and advocacy for women's rights are on the agenda for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's visit to the United Nations, his office said Monday.

His visit to U.N. headquarters in New York on Wednesday comes one month after Secretary General Ban Ki-moon praised Ottawa's renewed engagement on the world stage.

Trudeau has said his government would contribute more to mediation and conflict resolution, peacekeeping and reconstruction in global hotspots.

He said Canada would also seek a seat on the Security Council.

During his meeting with Ban, the prime minister "will emphasize Canada's commitment to play a positive and constructive role in the world, and to make meaningful contributions to issues that include climate change, respect for diversity and human rights, and support for international peace operations," a statement from Trudeau's office said.

That could see more Canadian troops deployed as peacekeepers in Africa and Haiti.

Le Devoir newspaper last week said as many as 2,000 Canadian police officers and soldiers could soon be deployed to shore up security in Haiti, the Western hemisphere's poorest nation, and take over command of the U.N. mission from Brazil after its mission mandate expires in October.

While in New York, Trudeau will take part in a roundtable discussion on advocacy for the rights of girls, and will discuss gender equality with the executive director of U.N. Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

He is also scheduled to meet with business leaders to promote investment in Canada.