The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, concluded his participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, hosted by Cambodia in Phnom Penh on November 13, where Canada was invited as a guest of the Chair, according to a press release.
Convening under the theme of “Addressing Challenges Together,” the Prime Minister further strengthened Canada’s relationship as a reliable and engaged partner with ASEAN and expanded partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. His priorities included promoting regional peace and stability, expanding and diversifying business to create good, middle-class jobs in Canada and Southeast Asia, strengthening etrade resilience, and investing in and connecting our peoples, while building a clean future.
During an ASEAN-Canada Commemorative Summit on November 12, which marked the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-Canada dialogue relations, Canada and ASEAN committed to establish a Canada-ASEAN Strategic Partnership. This new Strategic Partnership represents a strong endorsement of Canada’s engagement in the region and an important symbolic step to continue deepening our relations with ASEAN moving forward. The Prime Minister also delivered the announcement of an investment of $40 million to launch a new Indo-Pacific Engagement Initiative (IPEI), through which Canada will back the participation of Canadian civil society in the region and enhance Canadian engagement in the Indo-Pacific, including through new research and study opportunities for Canadians. At the Commemorative Summit, Canada and ASEAN released a joint statement highlighting their strong bilateral relationship and priorities for future bilateral cooperation.