UN officials met in New York to cast their votes on Wednesday. Canada, which under Trudeau has billed itself as a model of multilateralism and global citizenship, was pipped at the post by Norway and Ireland, in a three-way race for two temporary seats at the UN’s most powerful table.

Mexico and Indiawere also assigned rotating seats on the council on Wednesday, with Kenya and Djibouti still battling over the final place. Meanwhile, Turkish diplomat Volkan Bozkir was elected president of the UN’s 75th General Assembly. All new members will start their two-year term in January, and Bozkir’s duties will begin later this year.

In a final push for the position, Trudeau touted Canada’s record on climate change, international aid, and women’s rights. He vowed to “continue to make a difference in the world and defend multilateralism,” whatever the result of the vote. 

The defeat came after a four-year, $2.3 million CAD charm offensive by the Canadian government. As part of the effort, UN diplomats were treated to a Celine Dion concert in Canada last year, and were wined, dined, and sent chocolates, according to the BBC.

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