On October 1, 2026, Canada, Ukraine, and Norway concluded a two-day international conference in Toronto, Ontario, focused on facilitating the return of Ukrainian children unlawfully deported and detained civilians, and prisoners of war. The statement does not mention the number of attendees or specific participating nations beyond the three core countries. The conference’s primary objective, according to the press release, was to foster dialogue and collaboration regarding pathways to ensure the safe and dignified return of those affected by Russia’s ongoing military operations. This action follows a similar conference held in September 2026, co-chaired by Canada, Ukraine, and Norway, and convened in Toronto from September 28th and 29th. The statement does not address the funding mechanisms or specific protocols being developed for these returns. The announcement underscores Canada’s continued commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of the ongoing conflict, a commitment previously articulated in March 2026 when the ministry announced increased humanitarian assistance. ; see the full statement.
Context
The conference’s occurrence reflects the persistent humanitarian crisis stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The statement does not mention the scale of the problem, but the conference’s stated purpose – returning unlawfully deported children, detained civilians, and prisoners of war – directly addresses the most egregious consequences of the conflict. The event’s location in Toronto, Canada, highlights the country’s role as a key supporter of Ukraine and its commitment to international legal standards regarding the treatment of conflict victims. The joint communiqué, released on September 29th, 2026, reaffirms the commitment of the participating states and international organizations to working together on this issue. In September 2026, the ministry issued media accreditation for the conference, indicating its importance to international reporting. Should the conference yield tangible agreements on repatriation procedures, the statement does not mention what those procedures might be, and the statement does not address the potential challenges in implementation.
Sources & Further Reading
- Official press release
- Foreign ministry source
- Canada, Ukraine and Norway to co-host international conference on returning Ukrainian children, detained civilians and prisoners of war (12 Septemb)
- Media Accreditation for the International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War (24 August)
- Joint Communiqué – Pathways to Peace: Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War (29 Septemb)
