As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said, Canada is proud to be back at the UN and to recommit itself to multilateralism. We are a trading nation. We are a multilateralist nation.
Last month, Canadian security agencies foiled an imminent terrorist attack by a lone actor attempting to detonate homemade explosive devices in one of Canada's busiest cities. This was yet another reminder to Canadians that terrorism is a global threat that knows no borders.
I want to start by acknowledging that we're on the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. They were here first and I'm grateful to them, as I think we should all be, that we can be here.
On behalf of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, I want to tell you that it is a great pleasure and honour it is to be the first Canadian minister ever to attend the Pacific Islands Forum [PIF].
On behalf of Prime Minister Trudeau, I want to say how much the Government of Canada wants to strengthen the friendship between Canada and Vietnam. We share so many ties, including as members of la Francophonie.
Please allow me to begin by thanking our friend, His Excellency Tony Negus, for the warm reception he and his team at the [Australian] High Commission have put on this afternoon. I can think of no better occasion for our first meeting than to celebrate the strong Canadian-Australian relationship by presenting this award.