The Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War Privileges and Immunities Order, SOR/2026-189 under the Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act establishes temporary privileges and immunities for foreign representatives, international organization officials, and experts attending the Pathways to Peace: Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War.

Canada is co-hosting the conference with Norway and Ukraine. The meeting is intended to build on the outcomes of the 2024 Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula and the Montreal Pledge. It will bring together foreign ministers, representatives of foreign states and international organizations, and experts to examine progress and remaining challenges concerning the return of Ukrainian children who have been unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred, unlawfully detained Ukrainian civilians, and prisoners of war.

The Order responds to the practical need to facilitate participation by approximately 400 conference participants and provides appropriate privileges and immunities consistent with international practices and ensures visiting officials can participate effectively.

The Order creates four categories of protected participants. Representatives of foreign states who are official conference delegates receive, to the extent required for their conference functions, specified privileges under Articles IV of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. These include immunity from personal arrest or detention, protection against seizure of baggage, immunity from legal process for statements and acts performed in their representative capacity, exemption from immigration restrictions, and protection for papers and documents.

Senior officials of international organizations receive privileges and immunities comparable to those accorded to diplomatic agents under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, except for duty and tax relief. These protections include immunity from arrest and legal process, but only to the extent required for the officials’ functions relating to the conference. Other officials of international organizations receive more limited protections under Article V of the United Nations Convention, including immunity for official acts and statements and exemption from immigration restrictions.

Experts performing missions for international organizations receive the privileges and immunities provided by Article VI of the United Nations Convention. These include protection from personal arrest or detention and seizure of baggage, immunity from legal process concerning words or acts undertaken in performing their mission, and inviolability of papers and documents.

Canada (189/2026) September 29, 2026
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and does not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.