Minister Ng to attend Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings in Cambodia
News release
July 28, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
As an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) dialogue partner and founding member of the ASEAN Regional Forum, Canada is committed to deepening its already strong relationships with ASEAN, its member states and other partners from across the Indo-Pacific.
The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, today announced that she will be travelling to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from August 3 to 6, 2022, to attend ASEAN ministerial meetings on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
On August 4, Minister Ng will participate in ASEAN’s Post Ministerial Conference to discuss global and regional issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the crisis in Myanmar and ways to expand the scope of cooperation between Canada and ASEAN Member States.
On August 5, Minister Ng will attend the 29th ASEAN Regional Forum to strengthen ASEAN’s centrality for peace and security issues, long-term stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The Minister will raise a number of pressing regional and international issues and reaffirm Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. She will use every opportunity to counter attempts by the Russian regime to justify its unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, including its use of disinformation, and the global consequences the invasion has caused.
The Minister will also engage with ASEAN members on Canada’s proposal to raise its engagement to the level of Strategic Partner, building on the 45 years of strong cooperation between Canada and ASEAN.
Quotes
“The strong collaboration that Canada and ASEAN have shown in recent years in tackling challenges in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, is a testimony to the importance of ASEAN centrality for Southeast Asians and for Canadians. I look forward to discussing with ASEAN partners on shared values and priorities based on inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, and respect for international laws.”
- Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development
Quick facts
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In 2022, Canada and ASEAN are celebrating 45 years of cooperation.
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Canada is one of 11 ASEAN dialogue partners and has a diplomatic presence in all 10 ASEAN Member States, as well as a permanent mission to ASEAN. As a bloc, ASEAN is Canada’s fourth-largest trading partner globally, and second largest trading partner in the Indo-Pacific.
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With a combined GDP of $5 trillion and a population of approximately 650 million, ASEAN represents the world’s fifth-largest economy and third-most populous consumer market.
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Canada has made significant contributions across ASEAN’s three community pillars. These include supporting efforts to fight the pandemic and to make the ASEAN region more resilient, Canada’s contributions to address regional security issues, the launch of negotiations toward a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement, and initiatives such as the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development, as well as contributing to ASEAN’s women, peace and security agenda.
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The region’s countries are the most vulnerable in the world to natural disasters. In the 2019 to 2020 fiscal year, Canada provided $1.08 billion in international assistance to projects in the Indo-Pacific.
Associated links
Contacts
Alice Hansen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development
613-612-0482
Alice.Hansen@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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