The partnership between Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is rooted in deep people-to-people, trade, and diplomatic ties. Canada is committed to further strengthening this partnership by advancing shared priorities, including peace, security, and stability, sustainable development, trade and investment, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action Trust Fund Top-Up
Canada will increase cooperation with ASEAN through a contribution to the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action Trust Fund. This contribution will help close development gaps, ensure strong regional engagement with ASEAN, and advance important trade negotiations, while strengthening our partnership. A part of the fund will support the participation of ASEAN’s Member Countries in negotiations toward a Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which will create good jobs and new opportunities for people and businesses in Canada and in ASEAN Member States, while opening new markets for Canadians. This will support technical assistance and capacity building to enable ASEAN Member States to participate in FTA negotiations.
Expanding partnerships in the Indo-Pacific
As a Pacific nation, Canada is committed to strengthening our relation with the Indo-Pacific, which plays an essential role in our country’s economic growth, prosperity, and security. We will continue to work with our Indo-Pacific partners to make progress on shared priorities and enhance our engagement through Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS), which will be released soon. As announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, on November 9, 2022, the IPS will focus on the following objectives:
• Strengthening Canada’s role as a reliable and engaged partner to the Indo-Pacific;
• Ensuring resilience, peace, and security;
• Expanding trade, investment, and supply chain resilience;
• Investing in and connecting people; and
• Building a sustainable and green future.
The Canadian Trade Gateway in Southeast Asia (IPS)
This initiative will establish an enhanced Canadian hub in Southeast Asia, the Canadian Trade Gateway, to be designed and led by private sector partners. The Gateway will provide a modern, dynamic environment for Canadian business leaders to meet as a community, identify common interests, leverage strengths, and promote greater economic cooperation and innovation in the region. The Gateway will expand Canada’s business and investment networks, linking businesses to existing incubators and accelerators, and increasing their awareness of Indo-Pacific markets. This initiative will focus on sectors and solutions where Canadian innovation responds to regional demand. The Gateway will enhance opportunities for Canadian exporters and attract foreign investment to Canada, which will help diversify trade and create good middle-class jobs for Canadians.
Canada–Indo-Pacific Symposium: Post-Pandemic Border and Migration Management
The Canada Border Services Agency will host a Canada–Indo-Pacific symposium on post-pandemic border and migration management in cooperation with the Cambodian General Department of Customs and Excise, from January 31 to February 2, 2023, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The symposium will be an opportunity for Canada to share knowledge and expertise in border management with ASEAN Member States and reinforce partnerships. It will allow Canada to share operational best practices and strategies in the areas of economic recovery and growth post-pandemic, border management and combatting transnational crime, and the protection of women’s rights and vulnerable people.