November 7, 2011
OTTAWA—At the request of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will conduct State visits to Malaysia, from November 13 to 16; to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, from November 16 to 19; and to the Republic of Singapore, from November 19 to 22, 2011.
“I am looking forward to travelling to Asia on my first State visit as governor general of Canada,” said His Excellency. “It is with great enthusiasm and interest that I will lead a delegation of accomplished Canadian academics and business people to Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. These State visits will allow us to witness first-hand Canada’s involvement in Southeast Asia. It will provide us with the opportunity to engage in dialogue with our counterparts and emphasize the common knowledge and interests we share in the fields of trade, investment, innovation and education. It will also be a privilege to meet with skilled Canadians who live and work in these three countries.”
During these State visits, His Excellency will deliver keynote addresses on the Diplomacy of Knowledge: Education and Globalization in the 21st Century at the University of Malaya (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia); at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (Penang, Malaysia); at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam); and at the National University of Singapore (Singapore).
In Malaysia, His Excellency will raise Canada’s profile as a commercial partner during meetings with Malaysian government officials and civil society in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. In addition, His Excellency will reach out to students, researchers, university partners and industry representatives on building smart and caring innovative communities. He will participate in round-table discussions on innovation with experts from the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), and meet with the Canadian business community working in Malaysia.
During his visit to Vietnam, the Governor General will highlight the important education linkages between Canada and Vietnam, as well as trade and investment. The visit will offer an opportunity to share views on multiculturalism and respect for human rights, during discussions and meetings with Vietnamese counterparts in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. His Excellency will also be able to recognize the important innovations that Canadian development assistance has supported in the areas of skills training and agriculture in Hanoi and the Mekong Delta.
While in Singapore, His Excellency will underscore our nations’ shared interest in promoting growth through innovation and increased productivity. He will address these issues with Singaporean representatives and meet with Canadians from the business, investment and academic communities. His Excellency will also lay a wreath at the Kranji War Cemetery in memory of the hundreds of Canadian soldiers who were killed in Southeast Asia during World War II. In honour of the Governor General’s visit to Singapore, an orchid will be named after him during a ceremony at the National Orchid Garden.
A delegation of Canadians representing a variety of fields—including education, innovation and trade promotion, and culture—will share their experiences and knowledge with their Malaysian, Vietnamese and Singaporean counterparts. These exchanges will provide greater visibility to bilateral co-operation in various sectors, particularly in education and economic development. Information about the delegates will be announced at another time and made available online at www.gg.ca.
State visits by a governor general play an important role in Canada’s relations with other countries. They are the highest form of diplomatic contact, as they mark further developments in bilateral relations and exchanges among peoples.
Members of the public can follow the State visits to Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore online at www.gg.ca, where speeches, photos and the Governor General’s blog entries will be posted.
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Media information:
Marie-Ève Létourneau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-0287
marie-eve.letourneau@gg.ca
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