Canada named as Country of The Year for France’s 2025 Viva Technology

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

September 26, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, announced that Canada has been named the Country of The Year for Viva Technology 2025, the largest technology event in Europe, which is scheduled for June 11 to 14, 2025 in Paris, France. This honour reinforces Canada’s reputation as a worldwide leader in artificial intelligence. Scale AI, Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), will lead Canada’s business delegation.

Viva Technology is a major annual technology conference where business leaders, startups, and investors come together to share ideas and showcase innovative technologies. As the Country of The Year, Canada will showcase its expertise to the global community and connect with thousands of visionary startups, investors, organizations, researchers, and media during the ninth edition of one of the world’s biggest tech events. Leveraging advancements in AI can enhance Canada’s economy, increase productivity, and create exciting new opportunities for all Canadians.

Companies interested in being part of Canada’s delegation to Viva Technology 2025 can express their interest through Scale AI, Canada’s AI Global Innovation Cluster focused on leveraging AI to improve value chains.

Canada’s participation in Viva Technology 2025 was addressed by Prime Minister Trudeau and French President Macron in their Joint Declaration as President Macron concluded his visit to Canada yesterday. This reflects the strong collaboration between Canada and France in artificial intelligence through initiatives like the Global Partnerships on AI and the Centres of Excellence in Montreal and Paris. Viva Technology 2025 will provide an excellent opportunity to build on our ongoing work with France to strengthen cooperation among governments, organizations, and businesses to deliver technology solutions that are responsible, secure, and grounded in human rights and democratic values.

Quotes

“As the Country of The Year at Viva Technology 2025, Canada will stand at the forefront of innovation, showcasing the immense trade benefits that arise from connecting startups, technology leaders, large companies, and investors. Together, Canada and France are not only enhancing global collaboration but also driving a new era of growth and creativity that benefits both of our nations.”

- Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development

“Canada is building an ecosystem where innovation can thrive while ensuring we are developing safe technologies. Canada has been working hard with France to make concrete progress in the development of a robust and responsible AI ecosystem and I look forward to furthering our collaboration as we showcase our progress at this global technology event.”

- François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Quick facts

  • The commercial relationship between Canada and France is underpinned by the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which has been provisionally applied since 2017. 

  • CETA creates opportunities for French and Canadian businesses by eliminating tariffs and increasing the mobility of business people, among other things.

  • Canada and France have worked collaboratively on several initiatives for the responsible use of AI including launching the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) in June 2020.

  • The Government of Canada announced a Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems in September 2023 and an AI Safety Institute.

  • The Viva Technology 2024 Canadian delegation of 60 organizations was the largest Canadian AI presence ever showcased at an international event.

Associated links

Contacts

Huzaif Qaisar
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development
343-575-8816
Huzaif.Qaisar@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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