Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, emphasizing the critical juncture facing Canada and the global community. Carney highlighted the shift in the world order, moving from a period of relative stability to a new reality characterized by unrestrained geopolitics among major powers.
Acknowledging the diminishing rules-based order, Carney stressed the increasing dominance of strong nations over weaker counterparts. He urged countries, particularly middle powers like Canada, not to resign themselves to power dynamics dictated by the strongest players. Instead, he emphasized the potential of less powerful nations to shape a new order founded on core values such as human rights, sustainable development, solidarity, and respect for state sovereignty.
Carney cautioned against the illusion of safety through compliance with powerful entities, urging a proactive approach to navigate the evolving global landscape. He invoked Václav Havel’s concept of “living within a lie,” where individuals participate in false systems to avoid conflict, highlighting the need for truth and integrity in international relations.
The Prime Minister underscored the necessity for countries like Canada to adapt to the changing reality, emphasizing the importance of strategic autonomy in critical areas like energy, finance, and defense. He advocated for principled realism, combining fundamental values with pragmatic engagement, and emphasized the significance of building strength domestically to withstand external pressures.
Carney outlined Canada’s strategic shifts towards a values-based approach, focusing on sovereignty, human rights, and international partnerships. He emphasized the country’s commitment to creating coalitions based on shared values and interests to address global challenges collectively. The Prime Minister emphasized the potential for middle powers to shape the international narrative by acting cohesively and upholding principles of legitimacy and integrity.
In conclusion, Carney called for honesty about the current global reality, emphasizing the need for middle powers to assert themselves and collaborate in building a more just and cooperative world. He affirmed Canada’s commitment to openness, confidence, and proactive engagement in shaping a new, inclusive global order.
