Canada will join Ukraine and Norway in hosting a major international conference in Toronto aimed at advancing efforts to return Ukrainian children, detained civilians and prisoners of war affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced on September 12 that the two-day gathering, titled Pathways to Peace: Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War, will take place in Toronto, Ontario, on September 28 and 29, 2026.
Toronto Conference to Focus on Human Consequences of War
According to Global Affairs Canada, the conference is intended to strengthen international cooperation around some of the most pressing humanitarian consequences of the conflict.
Canada, Ukraine and Norway will use the gathering to advance efforts to bring affected Ukrainians home, improve protections for people who remain under Russian control and strengthen rehabilitation and reintegration assistance for those who return.
The meeting will bring together foreign ministers and other senior government representatives alongside officials and experts from international organizations.
Ukrainian Children and Detained Civilians High on Agenda
A central focus will be the unlawful deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children, as well as the unlawful detention of civilians.
Participants will also examine measures surrounding the protection and return of prisoners of war.
The conference is expected to explore practical mechanisms that could improve tracing and information sharing, strengthen international coordination and establish clearer pathways for affected individuals to return home.
Countries Seek Better Protection for Those Under Russian Control
Beyond securing returns, participating countries will discuss conditions facing Ukrainians who remain under Russian control.
Officials will examine ways of strengthening humanitarian access and ensuring affected individuals can maintain contact with their families.
Reliable information about the status and whereabouts of children, civilian detainees and prisoners of war will also be a major part of the discussions.
The organizers are seeking stronger cooperation among governments and international organizations to improve the flow of information to families and relevant authorities.
Conference Builds on 2024 Montreal Commitments
The Toronto gathering will build on commitments established during the 2024 Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula.
That meeting resulted in the Montreal Pledge, which established commitments surrounding the humanitarian dimensions of the conflict.
Participants in Toronto will review how much progress has been achieved since those commitments were made and identify areas where further international action remains necessary.
They will also consider practical measures for translating political commitments into tangible outcomes consistent with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Rehabilitation and Reintegration to Follow Successful Returns
Another major priority will be what happens after Ukrainian children, civilian detainees and prisoners of war return home.
Ukraine’s international partners will discuss ways of supporting rehabilitation and reintegration programs designed to help returnees recover and rebuild their lives.
The conference will simultaneously address accountability and access to justice for violations of international law.
Organizers are therefore positioning the initiative as extending beyond securing the physical return of affected individuals to providing longer-term assistance after their return.
Three Countries Push for Practical International Cooperation
Canada, Ukraine and Norway have structured the conference around three broad objectives: facilitating the return of affected Ukrainians, protecting those who remain under Russian control and providing rehabilitation and reintegration support following their return.
Tracing missing individuals, sharing information, coordinating international efforts, securing humanitarian access and maintaining family contact will form important parts of that strategy.
At the same time, participating governments will consider mechanisms for advancing accountability for alleged violations of international law.
Ministers and Experts to Hold Focused Discussions
The September conference will feature ministerial plenary sessions alongside more focused thematic discussions.
Expert-level exchanges will also provide participating governments and international organizations with opportunities to examine specific areas where stronger cooperation could produce practical results.
Rather than concentrating exclusively on broad diplomatic declarations, organizers say the discussions are designed to identify concrete steps that international partners can take together.
Canada Prepares to Welcome International Delegations to Toronto
With foreign ministers, senior officials and representatives of international organizations expected to participate, the Toronto meeting will place the humanitarian consequences of the war at the center of renewed diplomatic discussions.
For Canada, Ukraine and Norway, the objective is to convert existing international commitments into coordinated action — helping return Ukrainian children, civilians and prisoners of war, strengthening protections for those who remain under Russian control and ensuring that returnees receive support once they are back home.
The Pathways to Peace conference is scheduled to take place in Toronto on September 28 and 29, with participating countries expected to assess previous commitments while developing the next phase of international cooperation on the issue.
