Foreign Affairs Minister to attend high-level ASEAN meetings in Singapore and meet regional and international counterparts

News release

July 31, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced she will participate in the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Canada Post-Ministerial Conference and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Singapore on August 3 and 4, 2018.

The Minister has also been invited to deliver the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Fullerton Lecture on August 2 in Singapore. The Institute is a forum for leaders from around the world to discuss security and geopolitical issues. In her remarks, she will address how Canada, together with its partners in Asia and around the world, can and must step up to support and renew the international rules-based order.

During her visit to Singapore, the Minister will meet with counterparts from Asia and around the world to advance Canadian priorities and coordinate international efforts on pressing political and security issues, such as the threat posed by North Korea, the violence against the Rohingya in Myanmar and the defence of human rights.

The Minister will also highlight Canada’s strong engagement with ASEAN over the past 41 years.

Quotes

“As a Pacific nation, Canada is proud to stand with our Southeast Asian partners to advance peace, security and prosperity for people in the region and globally. We will continue to work together to protect and promote our shared values and interests.”

- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

  • ASEAN is a dynamic region with 633 million people and a combined GDP of over US$2.4 trillion.

  • Singapore is the chair of ASEAN in 2018 and is responsible for organizing and chairing a series of multilateral meetings. Thailand will take over as chair in 2019.

  • Last year was the 40th anniversary of Canada attaining the status of ASEAN dialogue partner. Events marking this culminated with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s November 2017 participation in the ASEAN Summit as a guest of the chair, as well as his hosting of the first-ever ASEAN-Canada Summit.

  • Canada is also a founding member of the ARF, the premier multilateral security and defence forum in the Asia-Pacific region.

  • Collectively, ASEAN member-state economies represent Canada’s sixth-largest merchandise trading partner. In 2017, Canada-ASEAN merchandise trade reached a value of $23.3 billion.

  • Canada partners with ASEAN on a wide range of issues, from respect for justice and the rule of law to regional peace and stability, migrants’ rights and equitable and inclusive trade.

  • Canada works closely with ASEAN countries on countering terrorism, counter-proliferation and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Associated links

Contacts

Adam Austen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Adam.Austen@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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