Vicky Singmin, Ambassador of the Mission of Canada to ASEAN

Message

Welcome to the Mission of Canada to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)!

I am privileged to serve as Canada’s 3rd Ambassador to ASEAN. We are marking a new era in the ASEAN-Canada relationship as Strategic Partners, working closely together to advance prosperity, security, and a sustainable future.

Strategic Partnership means strengthened cooperation that reinforces ASEAN centrality, the ASEAN Community pillars and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Guided by the Indo-Pacific Strategy, Canada has already taken significant steps to bolster our presence and strengthen our engagement with ASEAN and in the Indo-Pacific region.

ASEAN Member States, together, represent Canada’s fourth-largest merchandise trading partner. We know there is potential for more. This is why I am very excited about the negotiations of an ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA). ACAFTA has the potential to significantly increase trade and create many opportunities for Canadian and ASEAN businesses. We also have exciting opportunities to strengthen our cooperation in important sectors, from agriculture and agrifood, to digital and ICT, as well as energy and the environment.

Peace, stability, and security remains fundamental to both of our regions as we grow our Partnership. We continue to remain close allies on shared priorities such as the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda and health security through Canada’s Mitigation of Biological Threats Program, and actively participate in ASEAN-led mechanisms to discuss important regional peace and security matters, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum.

People will always be at the centre of Canada’s engagement with ASEAN. We will continue to invest in human capital development and strengthen people-to-people linkages, particularly among youth and the most vulnerable. Through programmes such as the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED), the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action Trust Fund, and the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, Canada is investing in life-long learning, supporting sustainable development, and driving increased inclusive economic growth.

I look forward to further deepening ASEAN-Canada cooperation, under the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership!

Vicky Singmin

Ambassador of the Mission of Canada to ASEAN