Canada falls while Ireland, Norway prevail in United Nations Security Council vote
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Dakar, Senegal at the “Door of No Return”
The nascent practice of face masks and social distancing were on full display as diplomats descended upon the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York City. Amidst the persistent global pandemic, member states of the UN were present to cast ballots on which five member states would become non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2021-22 term. One of the six principle organs of the UN, the UNSC works to maintain peace and security across the international community. A total of 15 different member states sit on the council with five being permanent members (thus having veto power): China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The remaining ten seats are reserved for non-permanent members who serve two-year terms and whose seats are divided up among regional areas: five seats for Africa and Asia, two for Latin America and the Caribbean, two for Western Europe and other states, and one for Eastern Europe
Beginning their bid four years ago, Canada was late to the race as Ireland, Norway, and San Marino had already declared their intention to run for the 2021-22 term as part of the Western Europe and other states group. The last time Canada campaigned for a seat on the UNSC was back in 2010 under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, resulting in a well-publicized loss to Germany and Portugal. The newly appointed Liberal government, looking to rebrand Canada on the international stage, decided to make a late addition to their platform and throw their hat in the ring. Although San Marino withdrew their bid shortly after Canada’s announcement, they were still facing stiff competition from Ireland and Norway. When comparing Official Development Assistance (ODA) contributions, Canada lagged behind both countries with only 0.26% of their Gross National Income (GNI) committed to ODA (a blemish when compared to Ireland’s 0.32% and Norway’s impressive 0.99%). As the United Kingdom had recently left the European Union (EU) it was also an inevitably that their 27-member states would support Ireland to maintain the bloc’s influence on the UNSC. Include the mid-2019 withdrawal from the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and an ever-evolving complicated diplomatic dispute with China, and Canada firmly cemented itself as the underdog of this race.
As is the custom with campaigning for a UNSC seat, Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spent time courting heads of state for their respective vote. This included countless meetings, 13 full-time staff, and a well publicized trip for the Prime Minister to the African Union 2020 summit. Landing in Ethiopia in early February, Trudeau met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and was accompanied by Masai Ujiri, General Manager of the Toronto Raptors. Well connected throughout the continent given his upbringing in Nigeria and his foundation Giants of Africa, Ujiri assisted Canada with the campaign for a seat on the UNSC, later joining Trudeau again for a historical meeting with Senegalese President Macky Sall.
In the end, Canada fell short receiving 108 votes in comparison to Ireland’s 128 and Norway’s 130. The campaign itself offered Canada an opportunity to strengthen international relationships but, with this being said, they have now fallen in back-to-back UNSC bids, tarnishing their international reputation.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar interviewed after ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange
After Ireland’s election to the UNSC, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it is “a recognition of our work on the world stage over decades”. This could not ring truer for the island of 5 million as they have an unbroken record of missions dating back to 1958 and triple the number of blue helmets currently deployed compared to their opponents (618 versus Canada’s 192 and Norway’s 61). Ireland has consistently prided itself on their independent and neutral stance in military conflicts across the international community. This neutrality has been called into question at times, such as during the 2003 invasion of Iraq when the US Air Force was permitted to refuel at Shannon Airport or even the current United Nations mission in Mali. After the former event resulted in protests in the capital of Dublin, the High Court of Ireland decided that the neutrality of Ireland is not law but rather “a matter of government policy”. Despite the ambiguity surrounding the definitions of neutrality and military neutrality, Ireland has without question remained a reliable impartial player on the world stage.
Their candidacy for a seat on the UNSC was announced back in 2005 as part of the Global Ireland 2025 initiative which, according to its mission, aims to “take Ireland’s global engagement to the next level” through opening new embassies, investing in Irish agencies, and promoting Irish culture globally to increase ties between foreign nations, among other things. Varadkar along with Táiniste and Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney put together an impressive campaign, lobbying leaders across the world, releasing a zealous campaign video, and receiving celebrity backing from Riverdance and U2. Ireland also committed to quadruple its funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) to $10 million in 2020–a timely contribution given the current global pandemic. This will be Ireland’s fourth time sitting on the UNSC since joining the UN in 1955.
As Ireland and Norway prepare for a much anticipated 2021, Canada, for the second time this decade, will head back to the drawing board.