Canada Continues Global Cooperation Even Though the US Withdraws

JAKARTA - Canada has confirmed that it will continue to work with countries that have similar values to continue to contribute to the global community, even though the United States has withdrawn from dozens of international organizations.

Canadian Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai responded to questions about Washington's move by saying Ottawa remained committed to multilateralism and constructive international partnerships.

"We have many other partners in the G7, G20, and other countries, and we will continue to work with them without criticizing those who do not do the same thing," Sarai said, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, January 13.

He said Canada would also continue to lobby and encourage other countries to increase their contributions to global goals whose funding has been reduced.

According to Sarai, the cuts in the budget and the withdrawal of assistance by the US and a number of international institutions have led to a reduction in international development funds in various regions.

He admitted that the lack of funds could not be completely replaced by one or several countries alone.

However, Sarai assessed that there are still many initiatives that have emerged, including the use of private capital, mixed financing, and support from philanthropic foundations to cover part of the funding gap.

Sarai also said that recipient countries are now increasingly active in seeking alternative approaches to solving development issues, without relying too much on countries or organizations that choose to withdraw from international cooperation.

"In the future, we will continue to work with other partners who actually increase their contributions. We see this happening in the Gulf region and in a number of other countries that want to be more involved in international development," he said.

On January 7, US President Donald Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum ordering US government agencies to withdraw from 66 international organizations that were deemed no longer to serve US national interests.

The memorandum instructs all US ministries and executive agencies to stop participating in and funding 35 non-UN organizations as well as 31 UN entities that are considered contrary to the national interests, security, economic prosperity, or sovereignty of the United States.