Athens, September 10, 2024 — Jacqueline O’Neill, Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), concluded a significant two-day visit to Athens on September 9-10, aimed at reinforcing bilateral relations and advancing gender equality.
O’Neill was accompanied by Karine Asselin, Canada’s Ambassador to Greece, as part of ongoing diplomatic engagements following recent high-level visits, including those by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Canada and Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and Trade Minister Mary Ng to Greece.
The visit underscored a commitment to deepening discussions on human rights and gender equality, with particular attention to the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. This engagement is timely as Greece prepares to assume a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2025-2026 term.
During her trip, Ambassador O’Neill held a productive meeting with Katerina Papakosta, Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, focusing on best practices for advancing gender equality. A session with Greece’s Human Rights Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided a platform for exploring new collaborative opportunities in the WPS domain.
The delegation also engaged with Greece’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces, where discussions centered on integrating gender equality principles within the Hellenic Armed Forces. Meetings with the General Secretariat of Coordination highlighted potential areas for bolstering bilateral cooperation in support of gender equality and human rights initiatives.
Ambassador O’Neill emphasized the crucial role of women’s leadership in addressing global security challenges. "As the world faces multifaceted threats from armed conflict, climate change, migration, and democratic instability, women’s leadership is more vital than ever," she stated. Ambassador Asselin added, “Canada and Greece are both champions of human rights and gender equality. It is an honor to collaborate with Greece, a key ally and NATO partner, in addressing these complex challenges.”
Beyond official meetings, the Canadian delegation engaged with the UNHCR and local civil society organizations to discuss the gender dimensions of refugee integration. A notable highlight was a Diplomatic Panel Discussion hosted by the Canadian Embassy on integrating WPS principles into the reconstruction of Ukraine. The panel, featuring Greek MFA officials and local ambassadors, delved into gender-sensitive strategies for Ukraine’s recovery efforts, particularly focusing on Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Form.