The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that he will attend the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Canada Post-Ministerial Conference as well as the ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial. The meetings will be conducted by video conference on September 10th and 12th 2020, respectively.
The Minister will highlight Canada’s growing relationship with ASEAN member states and discuss concrete measures to help enhance political, social and cultural collaboration and cooperation.
These meetings will also be an opportunity to discuss ways to promote security, good governance, trade and investment, as well as development partnerships between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region.
Minister Champagne will also address how Canada, along with its partners in Asia and around the world, must continue to work together in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic while promoting the rules-based international order.
Official photos and videos will be posted on the ASEAN 2020 website.
Quotes
“As a Pacific nation, Canada deeply values its growing relationship with all ASEAN member states. By working together, we can address critical global issues, including support of peace and security, sustainable development and economic growth for all.”
– François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
- Canada became an ASEAN dialogue partner in 1977. Canada is a founding member of the ASEAN Regional Forum, the premier foreign-minister-led multilateral security forum in the Indo-Pacific region.
- As a group, ASEAN countries rank as Canada’s sixth-largest trading partner.
- Canada’s bilateral merchandise trade relationship with ASEAN reached $27.2 billion in 2019, up from $25.2 billion in 2018.
- ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967. Its 10 member states are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
- ASEAN has 10 dialogue partners: Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the United States.
- Vietnam is the 2020 ASEAN chair and is responsible for organizing and chairing a series of multilateral meetings. The theme for Vietnam’s year as chair is Cohesive and Responsive. Brunei will take over as chair in 2021.