Latest news with #ASEAN-Canada
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Canada sees ASEAN FTA as vital for inclusive economic growth
KUALA LUMPUR: Canada views the proposed ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a crucial step toward fostering inclusive and resilient economic growth for both regions. The High Commission of Canada in Malaysia emphasised that the FTA aligns with Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, focusing on trade expansion, supply chain stability, and sustainable development. The statement noted that Canada's 48-year strategic partnership with ASEAN is rooted in shared values and multilateral cooperation. 'Our strategic partnership has matured into a robust bond built on mutual trust and a commitment to inclusive development,' it said. With Malaysia set to chair ASEAN in 2025, Canada welcomed the focus on inclusivity and sustainability, which complements its own regional priorities. The ASEAN-Canada partnership extends beyond trade, encompassing initiatives like the SEED Canada-ASEAN Scholarships, the ASEAN-Canada Trust Fund, and cybersecurity collaborations such as the BlackBerry Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in Malaysia. Digital transformation remains a key area of cooperation, with Canada engaging ASEAN through platforms like the ASEAN Digital Senior Officials' Meeting to boost innovation and cyber resilience. The statement also highlighted border management programs, including the CBSA Border Management Symposiums, to enhance trade efficiency and security. As both regions approach milestone anniversaries—Canada-ASEAN relations in 2027 and ASEAN's 60th founding anniversary—efforts are underway to deepen sectoral ties in digitalisation, energy, and food security. Foreign Minister Anita Anand recently led Canada's delegation at the ASEAN-Canada Post Ministerial Conference, attended by Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. – Bernama
Malaysia Sun
07-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
Minister Anand to travel to Japan and Malaysia to strengthen Indo-Pacific partnerships
July 7, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will visit Japan and Malaysia this week to deepen Canada's strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, which play a critical role in shaping Canada's future. In Tokyo, Minister Anand will meet with Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwaya Takeshi to strengthen Canada's trade and defence cooperation and advance shared security and prosperity interests. Minister Anand will work to advance the Canada-Japan Security of Information Agreement, which will deepen defence and security collaboration between the 2 countries. This agreement builds on Canada's strong bilateral relationship with Japan, an influential strategic and economic partner in the Indo-Pacific region. On July 10, Minister Anand will participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post Ministerial Conference Plus Canada in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This meeting brings together the 10 ASEAN member states and Canada to highlight progress made through the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership. The meeting will be an opportunity to find new ways to advance shared interests, including economic and security priorities. After the conference, Minister Anand will speak with ASEAN and Canadian trade negotiators, as well as business representatives to highlight Canada's commitment to concluding an ASEAN-Canada free trade agreement. This agreement would bolster trade and investment and give Canadian businesses preferential access to new markets in the region. On July 11, Minister Anand will attend the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) where she will discuss pressing regional and global security challenges, such as the crisis in Myanmar, tensions in the East and South China Seas, North Korea-Russia military cooperation and growing insecurity in the Middle East. She will also reaffirm Canada's steadfast commitment to ASEAN as a reliable, engaged and enduring security partner in the region. While in Kuala Lumpur, Minister Anand will also hold bilateral meetings with several counterparts to advance bilateral opportunities and mutual objectives. This visit will demonstrate Canada's commitment to continue strengthening ties with those in the Indo-Pacific, in line with the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS).
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Stronger ASEAN–Canada cooperation in frontier technologies
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has called for stronger ASEAN-Canada cooperation in frontier technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), green economy, food security, education, digital skills, and climate resilience. Malaysia made the call and emphasised the importance of enhancing cooperation at the 22nd ASEAN–Canada Dialogue in Vientiane, Laos on Thursday (May 8), where it was represented by Director General of the ASEAN-Malaysia National Secretariat, Datuk Zanariah Zainal Abidin, who led the Malaysian delegation. Malaysia's Foreign Ministry, Wisma Putra, said in a Facebook post that Malaysia also shared its ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 priorities with dialogue partners, in line with the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability.' According to Wisma Putra, the meeting reviewed the implementation status of the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action (2021–2025) as well as developments in the negotiations towards a new ASEAN–Canada Plan of Action (2026-2030). The meeting also discussed cooperation in transnational crime; digital economy; science, technology and innovation; cybersecurity; disaster management; youth and women empowerment, climate change and sustainable development; education and tourism, it said. The meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the situations in Myanmar, Palestine, and Ukraine, as well as developments in the South China Sea. 'Malaysia reaffirmed its consistent position in supporting efforts to promote peace, stability and a sustainable future in the region and beyond,' it added.
