As an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) dialogue partner and founding member of the ASEAN Regional Forum, Canada is committed to deepening its already strong relationships with ASEAN, its member states and other partners from across the Indo-Pacific.
The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, today announced that she will be travelling to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from August 3 to 6, 2022, to attend ASEAN ministerial meetings on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
On August 4, Minister Ng will participate in ASEAN's Post Ministerial Conference to discuss global and regional issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the crisis in Myanmar and ways to expand the scope of cooperation between Canada and ASEAN Member States.
On August 5, Minister Ng will attend the 29th ASEAN Regional Forum to strengthen ASEAN's centrality for peace and security issues, long-term stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The Minister will raise a number of pressing regional and international issues and reaffirm Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. She will use every opportunity to counter attempts by the Russian regime to justify its unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, including its use of disinformation, and the global consequences the invasion has caused.
The Minister will also engage with ASEAN members on Canada's proposal to raise its engagement to the level of Strategic Partner, building on the 45 years of strong cooperation between Canada and ASEAN.
