The foreign ministry readout describes Ottawa – August 24, 2026 – The Canadian government announced today that media accreditation is open for the International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War. The conference will take place in Ottawa from September 18th to 20th, 2026, focusing on facilitating the return of Ukrainian children who have been detained by Russian forces, as well as providing support for Ukrainian citizens held as prisoners of war. The statement does not mention the number of attendees expected or specific topics to be covered during the conference.
Context
The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDPA), in conjunction with Global Affairs Canada, is organizing this event. The press release states that the purpose of the conference is “to foster international collaboration and establish a framework for the safe and dignified return of Ukrainian children and prisoners of war.” This suggests a continued commitment from the Canadian government to address the humanitarian crisis resulting from Russia’s ongoing military operations in Ukraine.
The statement does not mention any specific countries or organizations that have been invited to participate. It notes that media accreditation is available for “journalists and media representatives” covering the event, with applications being accepted through a dedicated online portal linked in the press release. The Canadian government has previously provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including financial assistance and medical supplies.
What to Watch
Should media attendance be significant, this conference represents an opportunity for Canada to demonstrate its leadership on this issue internationally. If the visit yields productive discussions regarding repatriation protocols and support mechanisms, the Canadian government will likely continue to advocate for increased international pressure on Russia to release detained Ukrainian citizens.
