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Canada, Ukraine and Norway issue Toronto Pledge to bring deported Ukrainian children, POWs and detained civilians home
Co-chairs Canada, Ukraine and Norway issue a joint statement after the Sept. 28-29 Toronto ministerial conference, urging international action to return deported Ukrainian children, detained civilians and prisoners of war.
Why it matters
The three co-chairs — Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Ukraine's Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity Denys Uliutin, and Norway's State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson — committed to keeping returns at the centre of any peace effort, saying humanitarian action and accountability are mutually reinforcing. Canada continues to position itself as a lead convener on the issue, with Foreign Ministers and representatives from governments, international organizations and civil society attending the Toronto meeting.
Full report
In the co-chairs' statement issued September 30, participants agreed on the imperative to identify, trace and verify Ukrainian children unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred by Russia and to build additional pathways for their safe return, guided by the best interests of the child. They voiced concern over indoctrination, militarization and assimilation efforts, and stressed support for returned children and families — education, health care, psychosocial services and community reintegration.
The statement recalled the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine's conclusion that deportations and enforced disappearances amount to crimes against humanity, and underlined the importance of full UN engagement based on the UN General Assembly resolution "Return of Ukrainian Children" adopted on December 3, 2025. It commended the Bring Kids Back UA initiative and the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, including work to finalize the Forward-Looking Agenda 2026-2027.
On unlawfully detained civilians, participants called for better information sharing, family contact, humanitarian access and the use of trusted third-country intermediaries. On prisoners of war, they reaffirmed full compliance with international humanitarian law, including unimpeded humanitarian access, and noted the particular needs of women POWs, the wounded and seriously ill, and survivors of torture and conflict-related sexual violence. All co-chairs endorsed the commitments in the Toronto Pledge Communiqué and called on the international community to intensify efforts "until every Ukrainian is able to return home."
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