Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report - 2024 to 2025

Global Affairs Canada

ISSN: 2564-3894

Cette publication est aussi disponible en français sous le titre : Rapport sur la Stratégie ministérielle de développement durable du 2024 à 2025

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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, 2025

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Table of contents

• Introduction to the 2024 to 2025 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report
• Commitments for Global Affairs Canada
  • Goal 5: Champion gender equality
  • Goal 10: Advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and take action on inequality
  • Goal 12: Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles
  • Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts
  • Goal 17: Strengthen partnerships to promote global action on sustainable development
• Integrating Sustainable Development
  • Broader contributions to sustainable development
  • International Diplomacy and Advocacy
  • International Trade
  • International Assistance and Development
  • Consular Services
  • International Platform

Introduction to the 2024 to 2025 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report

The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. This is the first FSDS to be framed using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and provides a balanced view of the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

In keeping with the purpose of the Act, to make decision-making related to sustainable development more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in GAC’s 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). This Report provides a summary of progress made on GAC’s DSDS in the fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

The Federal Sustainable Development Act also sets out 7 principles that must be considered in the development of the FSDS as well as DSDSs. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in Global Affairs Canada’s DSDS and 2024 to 2025 DSDS Report.

To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada’s departmental strategy reports on Canada’s progress towards implementing the 2030 Agenda and advancing the SDGs, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The Report also now captures progress on SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the FSDS.

Commitments for Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada was identified as responsible to support the achievement of the 2022-26 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy through specific contributions to five goals:

5) Champion Gender Equality

10) Advance Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Take Action to Reduce Inequality

12) Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles

13) Take Action on Climate Change and its Impacts

17) Strengthen Partnerships to Promote Global Action on Sustainable Development

Goal 5: Champion gender equality

FSDS context

Canada’s action in support of SDG 5 focuses on taking domestic and international action to address systemic barriers to equality for all women, girls and gender-diverse people. To advance this broader FSDS goal, GAC supports targeted investments, partnerships, innovation and advocacy efforts to close gender gaps, with a particular focus on the poorest and most marginalized.

Global Affairs Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) recognizes that supporting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in all their diversity is the best way to build a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world. To help achieve this, Canada’s international assistance funds projects and programs that support women, girls and gender-diverse people to achieve more equitable access to—and control over—the resources needed to secure economic and social equality and that further support active participation in the economy through education, skills training and capacity building. The department also supports initiatives that seek to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence, support women’s rights organizations and feminist movements, and that enhance the public sector’s institutional capacity to address gender equality and build the evidence base for gender equality action.

The table below captures departmental progress during 2024-2025 on the federal targets outlined in the 2022-2026 FSDS. For more departmental results achieved, please see Section 3: Integrating Sustainable Development.

Target theme: Take Action on Gender Equality

Target

By 2026, at least 37% of the environmental and clean technology sector are women
(Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry)

Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 5 – Gender Equality

The following initiatives demonstrate how Global Affairs Canada’s programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Goal 10: Advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and take action on inequality

FSDS Context

Canada’s action in support of SDG 10 focuses on moving forward on reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. To advance this broader FSDS goal, Global Affairs Canada supports the advancement of the rights, perspectives and prosperity of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and around the world, guided by its Action Plan on Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, 2021–2025. The department’s Action Plan is informed by the UN Declaration Act Action Plan, and was developed in consultation and cooperation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis from across Canada.

The department is committed to advancing the goals and actions within the Action Plan, in close collaboration with GAC’s Indigenous Peoples Network, and other self-identified Indigenous employees. One of GAC’s key commitments is to work with First Nations, Inuit and Métis right holders (or their national designates) to co-develop a new distinctions-based, whole-of-government policy set of guidelines to more fully and effectively engage with Indigenous peoples on international issues that affect them.

The implementation of the Action Plan and of the UN Declaration contributes to the Government of Canada’s continued efforts to break down barriers, combat systemic racism and discrimination, close socio-economic gaps, and promote greater equality and prosperity for Indigenous peoples.

The table below captures departmental progress during 2024-2025 on the federal targets outlined in the 2022-2026 FSDS. For more departmental results achieved, please see Section 3: Integrating Sustainable Development.

Target theme - Advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis communities

Target

Between 2023 and 2026, and every year on an ongoing basis, develop and table annual progress reports on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada)

Goal 12: Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles

FSDS Context

Canada’s action in support of SDG 12 focuses on reducing waste and plastic pollution, promoting a circular economy (where materials never become waste), and transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. To advance this broader FSDS goal, Global Affairs Canada works with partners to support the global advancement of responsible consumption and to collectively and collaboratively work to substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

Domestically, the department has established a team (ecoGAC) dedicated to accelerating efforts to green GAC’s operations and build climate resilience aiming to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at existing buildings and move toward net-zero carbon operations by 2050. This includes achieving net-zero procurement and waste diversion targets at home and abroad (e.g. successfully diverting GAC renovation/construction waste from landfill).

The department also continues to advance the Greening Government Strategy, which was drafted to ensure the Government of Canada is a global leader in low-carbon, resilient and green government operations. GAC has committed to appointing a sustainability lead to oversee green procurement and ensure departmental procurement activities fully align with established green procurement policies and guidelines^{Footnote 5}. GAC also remains committed to achieving the 100% low-emission-vehicles target by 2030 and supporting GAC’s full transition to zero-emission vehicles.

The table below captures departmental progress during 2024-2025 on the federal targets outlined in the 2022-2026 FSDS. For more departmental results achieved, please see Section 3: Integrating Sustainable Development.

Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption

Target

By 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 75% by weight of non-hazardous operational waste (All Ministers)

Target

The Government of Canada’s procurement of goods and services will be net-zero emissions by 2050, to aid the transition to a net-zero, circular economy (All Ministers)

Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

The following initiatives demonstrate how Global Affairs Canada’s programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts

FSDS Context

Canada’s action in support of SDG 13 focuses on reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and short-lived climate pollutants and building resilience.  To advance this broader FSDS goal, the department supports developing countries with climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Climate change and biodiversity loss can be catalysts for instability, conflict, food insecurity and pandemics. To combat this threat, in 2021, Canada announced a doubling of its international climate finance commitment, from $2.65 billion (2015 to 2021) to $5.3 billion (2021 to 2026). This funding supports developing countries around the world to combat climate change and address biodiversity loss focused on four areas:

1. clean energy transition and coal phase-out;
2. climate-smart agriculture and food systems;
3. nature-based solutions and biodiversity; and
4. climate governance.

GAC works with a wide variety of stakeholders to deliver its portion of this funding, which is outlined under Goal 17.

The department is also continuing significant action to ensure GAC’s operational emissions at existing buildings are reduced to help achieve Canada’s net-zero carbon goals^{Footnote 7} and reduce risks to federal assets posed by climate change. For its assets abroad, the department collects data from missions to regularly measure energy, water and waste data in order to support internal decision-making and reporting. The department also regularly conducts Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (CRiVAs), which help factor climate change adaptation into decision-making processes, as well as energy, water and waste audits. Further, several of GAC’s missions abroad have achieved green building certifications and undertaken at-mission greening initiatives.

The table below captures departmental progress during 2024-2025 on the federal targets outlined in the 2022-2026 FSDS. For more departmental results achieved, please see Section 3: Integrating Sustainable Development.

Target theme: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption

Target

Achieve 40 to 45% greenhouse gas emission reductions below 2005 levels by 2030, and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (Minister of Environment and Climate Change supported by all other Ministers)

Target theme: Federal Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Climate Resilience

Target

The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050 (All Ministers)

Target

The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050 (All Ministers)

Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 13 – Climate Action

The following initiatives demonstrate how Global Affairs Canada’s programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Goal 17: Strengthen partnerships to promote global action on sustainable development

FSDS Context

Canada’s action in support of SDG 17 focuses on diverse and inclusive partnerships required at the local, regional, national, and global levels to achieve the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs. To advance this broader FSDS goal, Global Affairs Canada works with a wide variety of partners to support a green transition and sustainable development, both within Canada and in developing countries.

This includes effort that:

• help developing countries adapt to and mitigate climate change, reinforce a clean energy transition and halt and reverse biodiversity loss;
• support international collaboration on critical minerals to improve availability and resiliency of supply chains;
• promote gender equality and environmental protection in trade mechanisms, including free trade agreements with ambitious collaborative tools to support environmental protection, climate change cooperation and action on sustainable development; and
• expect and encourage Canadian companies to contribute to sustainable development and support Canada’s commitments to human rights by integrating responsible business practices throughout their operations, including in international supply chains.

The table below captures departmental progress during 2024-2025 on the federal targets outlined in the 2022-2026 FSDS. For more departmental results achieved, please see Integrating Sustainable Development.

Target theme: Sustainable Development Partnerships

Target

By 2026, implement Canada’s climate finance commitment of $5.3 billion with at least 40% of funding going toward climate adaptation and at least 20% to projects that leverage nature-based climate solutions and projects that contribute biodiversity co-benefits (Minister of Environment and Climate Change)

Implementation strategies supporting the goal

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal “Strengthen partnerships to promote global action on sustainable development” but not a specific FSDS target

Integrating Sustainable Development

Global Affairs Canada will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment (SEEA) process. A SEEA for a policy, program or regulatory proposal includes an analysis of the climate, nature, environmental and economic effects of the given proposal.

Public statements on the results of Global Affairs Canada’s assessments are issued when an initiative that was the subject of a detailed Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment is implemented or announced (see Strategic environmental assessments: registry of public statements). The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental and economic effects, including contributions to the FSDS goals and targets, of an initiative have been considered during proposal development and decision making.

Global Affairs Canada issued 4 public statements for proposals that were subject to a detailed SEEA in 2024-2025.

Broader contributions to sustainable development

Each of the department’s business lines is helping to advance Canada’s progress toward the UN 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Below is a description of departmental actions and progress for all our core responsibilities. Each action is tagged to the appropriate SDG as well as to two out of the three horizontal crosscutting themes^{Footnote 10} of Canada’s 2030 Agenda implementation plan:

1. Leaving no one behind; and
2. Advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Given the department’s unique mandate, the bulk of the actions captured below align with the third crosscutting theme,

3. ‘International efforts’.

For additional information on GAC’s broader contributions to the 2030 Agenda and all 17 SDGs, please also consult:

• GAC’s 2023-2024 Departmental Results Report;
• GAC’s Report to Parliament on the Government of Canada’s International Assistance 2023-2024;
• Canada’s 2023 Voluntary National Review; and
• Canada’s 2024 Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

International Diplomacy and Advocacy

Canada employed its diplomacy and advocacy tools to advance the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, working to ensure that sustainability stayed front and centre on the international agenda. GAC has built constructive relationships with partner countries, international institutions and a wide variety of other stakeholders to help ensure no one is left behind on the path to sustainable development.

Examples of key International Diplomacy and Advocacy 2024-2025 actions and progress include:

• The Transformation Implementation Plan, a multi-year organizational transformation initiative to ensure that the department is well equipped to serve Canadians in meeting the global challenges of today and of the future, commits GAC to enhancing its unique global networks and partnerships, including with Indigenous Peoples (SDG 10), to deliver whole-of-government approaches to climate change (SDGs 12 & 13), green transition (SDG 9) and critical minerals (SDGs 7 & 9).
• The second year of implementing Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, a comprehensive approach to align diplomatic, trade and development goals in the region while integrating a sustainable development lens, has improved trade and investment opportunities, strengthened defence ties, grown Canada’s presence in the region, improved green innovation partnerships, and mobilized support for inclusive growth and climate change mitigation(SDGs 5, 8, 13 & 17). Further results can be found in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy 2023-2024 Implementation Update.
• Gender equality was advanced by advocating for women’s rights, representation, participation in diplomatic engagements, and inclusive trade agreements that prioritize gender equality. Importantly, Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy continued to deliver strong gender results, cementing Canada’s leadership in this area. For 2024-2025, 97.9% of Canada’s bilateral international development assistance either targeted or integrated gender equality results, and 15% of bilateral international development assistance specifically targeted gender equality results. Below are a few results from 2024-2025:
  • In 2024-25, GAC’s Women’s Voice and Leadership project supported 408 women’s rights organizations and lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer (LBTQ) organizations in 18 countries with flexible direct funding, capacity strengthening and movement bolstering. (SDG 5, Leaving no one behind).
  • The Equality Fund (supported in part by Canada) granted $29.1 million to 129 women’s rights organizations across 100 countries in the Global South, and 799 women’s rights organizations were indirectly supported through the grants channeled to feminist funds.
  • Canada co-chaired the Steering Group of the Alliance for Feminist Movements, garnering over 400 members to support and amplify the significant contributions of women’s rights organizations and feminist movements globally to advance gender equality and sustainable development. (SDG 5, Leaving no one behind).
• The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda continued to advance the role of women in peacekeeping through the implementation of Canada's third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2023–2029), launched in March 2024 with ten federal partners (SDG 16, SDG 17). A few results from 2024-2025 include:
  • Supported women peacebuilders and women’s rights organizations, promoted gender-responsive approaches in peace and security processes, and advanced the meaningful participation of uniformed women in peace operations through the Canadian-led Elsie Initiative.
  • In 2024-25, 2.27% of total bilateral international assistance was invested in fragile and conflict-affected settings for the purpose of supporting women’s organizations and women’s networks (international and local) advancing women’s rights and gender equality for programming and/or institutional strengthening, surpassing the 1% target proposed by the UN Secretary General.
  • Canada’s reputation as a global leader and trusted partner on WPS was reinforced through the advocacy and participation of Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security in events, multilateral meetings and visits to 13 country missions, including Cambodia, Chile, Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Jamaica, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, and the West Bank.
• Canada supported the implementation of the Framework of Cooperation between the UN and the Government of Ukraine with the goal of enhancing Ukraine’s capacity to actively prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence, which improved the capacity of the police, prosecutors, and judiciary to identify, investigate, and prosecute sexual violence cases in line with international best practices (SDG 5).
• To better engage with Indigenous Peoples on international issues that affect them, from mid-2024 through December 2024, consultations were conducted with National Indigenous Organizations to develop a questionnaire for a mapping exercise involving approximately 80 participants from six government branches and 16 federal departments. This effort aimed to gather input on consultation protocols, cooperative mechanisms, and challenges in engaging Indigenous rights holders on international matters and is an initial step to inform the co-development of new distinctions-based, whole-of-government policy guidelines (SDG 10, Advancing Reconciliation).
• Canada continued to demonstrate its strong commitment to the SDGs in UN initiatives and events. Examples include:
  • In his role as co-chair of the SDG Advocates, former Prime Minister Trudeau continued to champion and raise awareness of the SDGs, including by participating in the SDG Moment and the SDG Advocates Group Annual Meeting during UNGA High-Level Week.
  • Canada actively participated in the preparatory process for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, with a view to identifying concrete opportunities for action to facilitate the implementation of the SDGs.
• Canada also continued to foster partnerships with Small Island Developing States (SIDS), recognizing the particular challenges that some countries face in achieving sustainable development as a result of factors such as increased vulnerability to climate-related events, through the Task Force set up by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Development Assistance Committee as well as through informal networks.

International Trade

In 2024–2025, GAC prioritized expanding trade, investment, and supply chain resilience to position Canada for emerging economic opportunities. This effort aimed to strengthen and diversify international partnerships, contributing to a more robust and secure economy. Central to this strategy was GAC’s inclusive, sustainable approach to trade, which promotes responsible business conduct, supports clean technology and climate finance, and is designed to ensure that all Canadians—including those historically underrepresented in international trade and investment, such as women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—can fully benefit from global economic opportunities. These efforts directly support SDGs 5 (Gender Equality), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and align with Canada’s commitments to Leaving No One Behind and Advancing Reconciliation. Canada is also a strong innovator and producer of clean technologies and climate solutions and is well positioned to help other countries reach their Sustainable Development Goals, including goals 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Examples of key International Trade 2024-2025 actions and progress:

• Canada’s Trade Diversification Priorities were advanced by championing sustainable inclusive trade practices that ensure the benefits of trade agreements and investments are shared among all Canadians—including women, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and Indigenous Peoples. These efforts directly supported SDGs 5 (Gender Equality) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities), aligned with the principles of Leaving No One Behind and Advancing Reconciliation. 
• GAC continued to lead the negotiation of inclusive trade provisions—such as those focused on gender, Indigenous Peoples, and SMEs—across all new free trade agreements (FTAs), reinforcing Canada’s commitment to inclusive sustainable economic growth and development in line with SDGs 5 and 10, and the broader goals of Leaving No One Behind and Advancing Reconciliation. 
• Environmental Impact Assessments and Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) were conducted throughout FTA negotiations to assess their effects on environmental factors and diverse groups, identifying ways to reduce environmental risks and address barriers to inclusive trade participation.
• GAC’s International Business Development Strategy for Clean Technologies supports Canadian clean technology companies pursuing international business opportunities as well as helps tap into global pools of climate finance funding (SDGs 6, 7, and 11). The Strategy is delivered by specialized Regional Clean Technology and Climate Finance Trade Commissioners in global hubs and the Cleantech TCS network in Canada and abroad.
• The implementation of a gender perspective in international trade forums was promoted, including through implementation efforts at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and through plurilateral trade arrangements such as the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement and the Inclusive Trade Action Group (SDGs 5 & 17).
• Ensured that all trade policies, programs, and initiatives were shaped through meaningful engagement with diverse stakeholders and partners, including groups traditionally underrepresented in international trade (SDGs 5, 10 & 17, Leaving no one behind, Advancing reconciliation). Below are a few results from 2024-2025:
  • Convened meetings of the Gender and Trade Advisory Group, and the Indigenous Working Group on Trade (now called I-Trade) to promote more inclusive trade outcomes, ensure the benefits of trade are more equitably distributed across Canadian society, and engage with Indigenous partners and Gender and Trade experts on international trade issues.
  • Established and actively engaged with Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group to support negotiations of the Trade and Indigenous Chapter in the Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement.
  • Continued to advance the implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA) in collaboration with Indigenous partners by actively participating in Partnership Council meetings and supporting Indigenous-led priorities through the development of meaningful cooperation activities. 
• Responsible business conduct was promoted by engaging with multiple stakeholders (SDG 17) through GAC’s Trade Commissioner Service at various events, meetings, and webinars. Examples include:
  • Through the Responsible Business Conduct Fund, financially supported 34 initiatives in 27 missions on various topics such as human rights, environment (clean energy), sustainable mining, supply chain resilience, anti-corruption, and inclusive trade (business women, LGBT+, Indigenous Peoples).
  • Hosted training sessions, workshops, and presentations on the Responsible Business Conduct Abroad Strategy and expectations for Canadian companies active abroad. Stakeholders included industry, civil society, academia, and other officials responsible for promoting responsible business conduct abroad.

International Assistance and Development

Preliminary data for 2024-2025 indicates that GAC provided more than $6 billion in international assistance. Canada’s international assistance aligned with the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) and its six Action Areas, which directly supported many of the SDGs:

1. Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls (SDG 5);
2. Human Dignity (SDGs 2 & 4);
3. Growth that Works for Everyone (SDG 8);
4. Environment and Climate Action (SDGs 6 & 13);
5. Inclusive Governance (SDGs 10 & 16); and
6. Peace and Security (SDG 16) (all support Leaving no one behind).

Examples of key International Assistance 2024-2025 actions and progress:

• $599 million was provided in long-term agriculture and food systems development assistance to address the root causes of hunger and strengthen resilience (SDG 2). These funds span various sectors with basic nutrition, agricultural policy and administrative management, and agricultural development receiving the largest allocations. GAC’s Resilient Agri-Food Systems Framework continues to enhance our investments by providing strategic and technical guidance to improve Canada’s international development agri-food systems programming, policy and advocacy (SDG 2).
• GAC played an integral role in global efforts to address sexual and gender-based violence, including co-leading with Zambia the UN General Assembly resolution on ending child, early and forced marriage securing 123 cross-regional co-sponsorships and continued funding to global partners working to end these issues. GAC’s contribution to the UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage supported 8,474,725 adolescent girls from 12 high prevalence countries to enrol in, return to, or remain in school. Girls with at least a secondary education are significantly less likely to marry early, and if all girls completed secondary school, child marriage could decrease by approximately 66 per cent (SDGs 3 & 5).
• Canada is supporting the former UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, now called the UN Global Disability Fund, to assess and address deficiencies in the care and support systems for persons with disabilities in Colombia, Kenya, Mozambique, Panama, and Tanzania. In the first year of the two-year support, the Disability Inclusion and Care Work project consulted and analyzed national policies and local care and support services to develop an overview of each country's care economy. A training was developed on Care and Support Systems for Community Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities which was piloted in Colombia and Tanzania. In Tanzania, the programme completed 3 training sessions and trained 31 participants (23 women and 8 men) from organizations of persons with disabilities.
• By the end of 2024-25, Global Affairs Canada successfully implemented its five-year commitment of $30 million in programming under its LGBTQ2I International Assistance Program to promote and protect 2SLGBTQI+ human rights and to improve socioeconomic outcomes for 2SLGBTQI+ people in developing countries. The Program is now implementing an annual program commitment of $10 million (SDGs 3, 5, 8 & 10).
• Action on climate change was advanced through partnership initiatives such as:
  • $96.5 million to support 16 “Partnering for Climate” projects across 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SDG 13) in support of ongoing Canadian efforts to address climate change. These projects focus on implementing nature-based solutions for gender-responsive climate change adaptation and biodiversity and was complemented by knowledge-sharing events and free online training organized through the GAC co-led nature and climate community of practice, which advances knowledge and capacity to use best practices in inclusive nature-based solutions (SDG 17).
  • Under the Indigenous Peoples Partnering for Climate initiative, partnerships between Indigenous Organizations in Canada and abroad support self-determined nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation, responding to local priorities and increasing Indigenous Peoples climate resilience in developing countries.
  • The National Indigenous Organizations in Canada received $2 million for work alongside Indigenous partners in South America, Africa and the Indo-pacific to support Indigenous climate leadership and showcase the importance of Indigenous knowledge and solidarity in climate adaptation.
• Efforts continued to reduce threats and facilitate stability and development in fragile states, including states affected by armed conflict (SDG 16). In 2024-2025, GAC’s Peace and Stabilization Operations Program disbursed $318 million to programming in fragile and conflict affected settings in the world, including but not limited to, Ukraine, Haiti, Lebanon, Myanmar and Sudan.
  • For example, in Sudan, the department supported democratic transition efforts by facilitating civilian participation in the May 2024 founding convention of a coalition of Sudanese pro-democratic forces, training 120 Peace Committee and community members in mental health and trauma support and equipping 96 civil society members in Darfur to document violence through a community-based early warning network.
• GAC partnered with the Danish Refugee Council to strengthen social cohesion and economic resilience in Iraq’s Diyala Governorate. By project end (December 2024), 20 youth leaders (50% women) were trained in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, enabling community-led initiatives (SDG 16). In parallel, 150 at-risk youth (98 women, 52 men) completed business and financial literacy training, with select participants receiving grants to launch small enterprises. A training-of-trainers model equipped 20 youth (50% women) to support 253 local businesses, reinforcing peer-led recovery and the value of strategic partnerships (SDG 17).
• The department continued to support the health and rights of women and girls as part of Canada’s 2019 historic 10-Year Commitment (SDGs 3 & 5) that raised our global health funding to reach an average of $1.4 billion annually, with $700 million dedicated each year to protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights for the poorest and most vulnerable. Preliminary figures for 2024-2025 show that we are on track to reach the target and includes:
  • In 2024, Canada’s support to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Supplies Partnership – together with support from other donors – contributed to averting nearly 10 million unintended pregnancies, over 200,000 maternal and child deaths, and 3 million unsafe abortions.
  • In 2024 Canada continued to support the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria to improve access to antiretroviral therapy, TB treatment and mosquito nets, among other interventions to reduce cases and deaths from the three diseases across the world. Canada has been a longstanding supporter of global health, sexual and reproductive health rights and nutrition (SDGs 2, 3 & 5).
    • Since 2002, in countries where Global Fund invests, deaths from AIDS and TB have fallen by 73% and 40% respectively, and malaria deaths have been reduced by 29%.
• Canadian Small and Medium Organizations engaged in international assistance activities were supported to strengthen Canadian partnerships for sustainable development (SDG 17), as part of the Small and Medium Organization (SMO) Initiative. In 2024-25, this included:
• The Spur Change program^{Footnote 11} that provided capacity-building support to 109 Canadian SMOs;
  • 34 SMOs received direct funding to implement development projects. For example, Canadian support to Raising the Village enabled that SMO to reach over 65,000 persons in ultra-poor communities in Uganda, doubling their average income from farming in one year.
  • 10 SMOs were also supported through the Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT) to test innovative solutions to development challenges.
• Additionally, Canada provided $38.5 million to the LIFT Program, which will support over 550 Canadian SMOs and their partner organizations in the Global South through flexible funding, capacity-building, and public engagement opportunities. Around 150 Canadian SMOs received direct funding and over 400 local partner representatives benefited from learning and support initiatives in 2024-25.
• In 2024-25, Canada became the largest donor to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund ($200 million) managed by the Global Environment Facility, which supports projects focused on or led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and projects in Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries. GAC’s funding is enabling the protection of 30.4 million hectares of terrestrial and marine areas, the reduction of 54.5 million metric tons of CO2e, and is supporting 227,000 beneficiaries.

Consular Services

GAC worked to ensure all consular services responded to the complex needs of Canadians travelling, living and working abroad. Consular services officials can also help Canadians in locations affected by a large-scale emergency such as a natural disaster and civil unrest. All consular services are informed by the 2030 Agenda and consider the SDGs by continuously adapting to respond to the needs of a diversity of clients, including those in potentially vulnerable situations (such as those with mental health issues, women and children, seniors, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ travellers and those who have experienced sexual and gender-based violence). Consular services include providing timely and accurate travel information so Canadians can plan for their safety and security when travelling. Individualized services further assist Canadians in managing unexpected situations, including arrest and detention, assault, medical emergencies and child abductions.

Examples of key Consular Services 2024-2025 actions and progress:

• The department continued to issue GAC’s Travel Advice and Advisories^{Footnote 12} and messages via the Registration of Canadians Abroad system to share credible information on safety and security conditions, including those affecting vulnerable travellers, such as women and 2SLGBTQI+ travellers (SDGs 5 & 16, Leaving no one behind) and to amplify these updates on @TravelGoC social media channels shortly thereafter. This is in line with the departmental core responsibility to provide timely and essential information to Canadians on the departmental website and social media accounts.
• Targeted social media content was published on a variety of consular topics, including safe travel advice tailored for different traveller demographics, such as women and children, seniors, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI+ travellers (SGDs 5 &16, Leaving no one behind).
• After completing a comprehensive review, the Forced marriage page on travel.gc.ca was updated. 
• Outreach activities were conducted across Canada to share information on travelling safely and responsibly outside the country. This included engagement at events and conferences, stakeholder meetings with the travel industry, and collaboration with post-secondary institutions (SGD 16). 
• Four advertising campaigns were conducted to increase awareness of the useful information provided by the government to help Canadians plan safe travel. These campaigns reached various traveller demographics, including young travellers (aged 18 to 34), 2SLGBTQI+ travellers, and older travellers (55+) (SGD 16, Leaving no one behind). 
• Consular fees were waived for all Indigenous people who held a valid travel document in order to allow them to obtain a replacement document displaying a reclaimed name (SDG 10, Advancing Reconciliation). This approach will continue until May 30, 2026. 
• Consular fees were waived for all Canadians affected by the devastating wildfires season stretching from May to November 2024 as well as the crisis in Haiti between March and September 2024, including facilitating 13 travel documents for affected Canadians (SDG 13).
• In partnership with Justice Canada, GAC continued its work in advocating for countries to join the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Today, the Convention is in force in over 100 countries worldwide and over the course of 2024-2025, GAC worked to support Canada’s acceptance of Jamaica, which was completed and entered into force on April 01, 2025. In addition to these promotion efforts, the Our Missing Children interdepartmental task force involving GAC, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Department of Justice, held regular meetings to discuss and coordinate on joint efforts to raise awareness, prevent and resolve international parental child abductions (SDG 16, Leaving no one behind).
• In 2024 and 2025, GAC revived the Working Party on Cross-Border Mediation in cases of international parental child abductions after a pause during the pandemic (SDG 16, Leaving no one behind). This work included:
  • Leading a survey of Working Party members and the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) network to help refocus its mandate and shared the results at the Fifth Malta Conference in September 2024.
  • As co-chair of the Working Party, led meetings in coordination with Justice Canada in January and March 2025, with over 14 countries and the European Union participating. The meetings reinitiated dialogue on international family mediation between HCCH contracting states and non-contracting states that follow Sharia law.
  • Helping to build understanding, bridge legal and cultural differences, and promote peaceful solutions for families dealing with cross-border child custody
• Over $111,000 was disbursed through the Consular Advocacy Initiative Fund to support 30 targeted initiatives that contributed to the safety and security of Canadians abroad and advanced consular and departmental priorities such as combatting sexual and gender-based violence, improving access to physical and mental health services, responding to the use of the death penalty, and more (SDGs 3, 5 & 16, Leaving no one behind). 
• Promoted gender parity in the nomination and renewal processes for Honorary Consuls¹⁷, who provide limited consular services to Canadians in areas that are not served by a Canadian consulate or embassy, achieving a more balanced gender distribution (47% women to 53% men) (SDGs 5, 10 & 16, Leaving no one behind). 
• GAC advanced international efforts to deter, prevent, and respond to arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations (otherwise known as hostage diplomacy, which refers to the detention of foreign nationals by states for use as political leverage) by strengthening engagement with governments, academia, civil society and multilateral partners, and expanding the coalition endorsing the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations to 81 states and entities. GAC supported the ongoing work of the Independent International Panel on Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations and secured language in the Organization of American States General Assembly resolution on international law. GAC also worked with likeminded partners to strengthen collective efforts in deterring and responding to hostage diplomacy (SGD 16). 
• The Senior Official for Hostage Affairs designation remained an important tool in enhancing Canada’s capacity to respond to cases of hostage-taking by both state and non-state actors. The designation helped to enable access to a range of high-level interlocutors to share best practices and lessons learned, and enabled GAC to rally international support to address hostage issues including through UN and other multilateral forums. It also provided a senior level focal point for Canadians affected by hostage-taking, and senior oversight of processes within GAC to improve policy coordination and response, as well as support for families, when cases occur (SGD 16). 
• New consular thematic units for arrest and detention and vulnerable clients within the Consular Affairs Bureau were created to provide more targeted and consistent support to a range of vulnerable clients, including those impacted by complex arrest and detention scenarios involving death penalty sentences and torture and mistreatment as well as those with vulnerabilities due to their profiles, including elderly, 2SLGBTQI+, children, and individuals with mental health challenges. This includes new policy tools to enhance the capacity to assess vulnerability factors and improve overall client service delivery, grounded in more robust identification of tailored assistance needs, stakeholder engagement, training, and research on data and analytics (SDGs 3, 5, 10, 16, Leave no one behind). 
• Strengthened and developed new training to ensure consular officials are well-equipped to assist Canadians in a variety of challenging situations, including arrests and detentions, hostage-taking, and female genital mutilation.

International Platform

GAC supports 181 missions abroad, 21 Government of Canada departments and agencies, three crown corporations and seven provincial governments all operating internationally. To keep employees and information safe, Global Affairs Canada’s International Platform enables and maintains a network of infrastructure and common services delivered at missions to support the Government of Canada achieve its priorities when operating abroad. Sustainable development considerations are incorporated to help ensure a green transition where possible for all services delivered internationally (SDGs 12 & 13).

Examples of key International Platform 2024-2025 actions and progress: 

• The department now has several missions that have achieved green certification abroad, including one, Geneva, that has achieved net-zero carbon. Credible green building certifications that helped GAC achieve sustainability across our mission network include:
  • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED);
  • Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada (BOMA) BEST;
  • Zero Carbon Building Standard;
  • Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE);
  • LOTUS, and Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) (SDGs 12 & 13). 
• Implemented GAC’s internal Sustainable Development Strategic Framework for Canada’s Missions Abroad which outlines how the Greening Government Strategy will apply to greening operations and improve sustainability at missions (SDGs 12 & 13). 
• Used green building certifications to assess opportunities for greater efficiencies for existing buildings and to support the design and construction of new major capital projects abroad (SDGs 12 & 13). 
• GAC EcoMetrics Program collected data from missions to regularly measure energy, water and waste data in order to support internal decision-making and reporting.
  • To collect and analyze data from missions more effectively, GAC adopted RETScreen, a clean energy management software developed by the Government of Canada that analyzes clean energy projects and helped track progress on our assets abroad (SDGs 12 & 13). 
  • The department completed 14 energy, water and waste initiatives in 2024-2025 (SDGs 12 & 13).

For additional information, please review results outlined in the Section 2 Commitments for Global Affairs Canada SDG tables for SDG 12 and SDG 13.