Canada is ramping up its involvement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen trade, investment, and diplomatic ties in the Indo-Pacific region. During the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced key measures to enhance Canada’s presence in the region. These included upgrading diplomatic offices in Cambodia and Laos to embassies, and a $128 million investment package to address climate change, security, and social development.
ASEAN, which includes 10 member states, is one of the fastest-growing economic regions in the world. Canada’s trade with ASEAN has nearly doubled since 2015, making ASEAN its fourth-largest merchandise trading partner. In response, Trudeau announced upcoming trade missions to Indonesia and the Philippines, with new missions planned for Thailand and Cambodia in 2025. The goal is to further boost economic cooperation, particularly in agriculture, digital trade, and technology.
Climate change is a central focus of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Trudeau pledged $84 million toward clean growth initiatives and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region. This includes support for projects like Laos’ Monsoon Wind Power Project and improved disaster preparedness in ASEAN nations.
To address security concerns, particularly transnational crime and terrorism, Canada will invest $21.3 million. This funding will strengthen partnerships between Canadian and Indo-Pacific law enforcement, targeting issues such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, and cybercrime.
Social development was also highlighted, with over $9 million committed to programs that promote women’s labor rights, combat forced labor, and improve healthcare access for women and girls with disabilities.
Canada’s engagement with ASEAN is rooted in its Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aims to enhance security, prosperity, and sustainability in the region. Trudeau emphasized the importance of creating “good-paying jobs and growing the economy alongside ASEAN partners,” as the region continues its rapid industrialization and economic growth.
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