October 1, 2026
Toronto Pledge: Key Provisions of the Joint Communiqué
On September 28–29, 2026, Toronto hosted Pathways to Peace: the Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War, co-hosted by Canada, Ukraine, and Norway. The event brought together 83 delegations: 72 states and 11 international organizations.
The Toronto Pledge acknowledges the progress made since the 2024 Montreal Pledge, while recognizing that returns remain slow, uneven, and limited in number. The Toronto commitments include:
Children. Participants call on Russia to return children immediately, safely, and unconditionally, and to cease deportations, changes to children's status (through citizenship, adoption, or placement in foster families), and indoctrination. This is also required by the UN General Assembly resolution of December 3, 2025. The communiqué specifically recognizes the work of Bring Kids Back UA and the leadership of Canada and Ukraine in the Coalition. Participants committed to supporting tracing and verification, expanding pathways for return, and strengthening the state reintegration system. States commit to:
support the tracing and locating of children and the verification of individual cases;
expand practical pathways for return, including through cooperation with states and international organizations willing to facilitate returns, and through support for Ukrainian civil society organizations;
strengthen a sustainable, state-led system for the rehabilitation and reintegration of returned children and their families;
support Ukraine's readiness for larger-scale returns as soon as conditions allow.
Unlawfully detained civilians. Participants deplored the unlawful detention of Ukrainian civilians, including those held by Russia since 2014. They call on Russia to disclose the whereabouts of detainees, ensure their contact with families and lawyers, and release them immediately without preconditions. The communiqué separately stresses the lack of information about women detainees. Participants committed to strengthening documentation, diplomatic efforts, and release mechanisms.
Prisoners of war. Participants call on Russia to comply fully with the Third Geneva Convention: grant mandated international organizations access to all places of internment, provide full lists, stop prosecuting prisoners for lawful participation in hostilities, and investigate executions and torture. Participants committed to expanding exchanges, including through intermediary states. The goal is the release of all prisoners on an all-for-all basis, with priority for women, the seriously wounded and sick, and those held the longest.
The full text of the communiqué and the list of signatories are available on the website of Global Affairs Canada. Other states and international organizations may still endorse the Joint Communiqué by writing to Evenements-Canada-Ukraine-Events@international.gc.ca.