Key Developments
On 11 September 2026, HM Government said the UK had voted to extend Sudan sanctions, and HM Government set out counterterrorism priorities at the UN Security Council. On 12 September 2026, the Prime Minister of Canada announced Mark Carney would visit Strasbourg and Liverpool to deepen defence, security and trade ties with European partners.
Key Statistics
- Over 1,000 civilian casualties in Sudan in recent months were cited in relation to drone strikes, according to HM Government
- 120,000 security personnel were trained through UK efforts, according to HM Government
- US$670 million in humanitarian assistance was provided in Iraq, according to HM Government
- US$217 billion in EU foreign direct investment stock in Canada was cited by the Prime Minister of Canada
- US$178 billion in Canada-EU trade was cited by the Prime Minister of Canada
- US$315 billion in Canadian investment in the EU was cited by the Prime Minister of Canada
- Historical: more than US$8.5 billion in Canadian military support for Ukraine was cited by the Prime Minister of Canada
Main Body
On 11 September 2026, HM Government said the UK had backed a UN Security Council resolution extending Sudan sanctions, and on the same day HM Government said Minister Chris Elmore had outlined the UK’s counterterrorism approach at the Council. On 12 September 2026, the Prime Minister of Canada announced that Prime Minister Mark Carney would travel to Strasbourg and Liverpool to engage European partners on security and trade.
The HM Government vote explanation said the Sudan measures would run until 9 October to allow more talks on adapting the sanctions regime as the conflict changed, including efforts to protect civilians and reduce violence. In a separate Council statement, HM Government said the UK had trained 120,000 security personnel and provided US$670 million in humanitarian aid in Iraq, while the Prime Minister of Canada said Carney’s trip would include an address to the European Parliament and discussions with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The announcements followed earlier government positions. On 7 September 2026, HM Government told the UN Human Rights Council that illegal weapons flows were worsening Sudan’s conflict and called on states to stop supporting warring parties. In a second Sudan statement that day, HM Government said the UK and the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice for Sudan had urged compliance with international humanitarian law and continued accountability work. On 10 September 2026, the Prime Minister of Canada said Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had discussed air defence and drone production, and the Prime Minister of Canada said both leaders had signed a 100 Year Partnership Declaration.
The practical significance was twofold. According to HM Government, keeping the Sudan sanctions regime active preserved time for Security Council negotiations on civilian protection, while HM Government presented counterterrorism cooperation as tied to human rights. The Prime Minister of Canada framed the Europe visit as part of Canada’s work with the EU and UK on defence, security and trade, giving Ottawa a channel to align economic links with European security priorities.
