Delegates pose for a photo at the meeting (Photo:AFP/VNA)

Addressing the event, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland called for efforts to improve the effectiveness of current sanctions on North Korea. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged countries to raise the price North Korea has to pay for its actions. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said she hopes engagement in North Korea will be maintained following the PyeongChang Winter Olympics next month. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono asked the international community not to ease pressure or reward North Korea, whose recent engagement in dialogue could be interpreted as proof that the sanctions are working.

The meeting co-chaired by Canada and the US is attended by diplomatic representatives from 20 countries, including 11 foreign ministers.