Canada and the Middle East and North Africa

Canada values its connections with the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and their unique historical, linguistic and cultural heritages.

We cooperate with MENA countries as a member of:

• Gulf Cooperation Council
• Global Coalition against Daesh
• La Francophonie
• International Syria Support Group

Canada works with partners across the region to promote peace, stability and economic opportunity.

Canada's priorities in the region

Our priorities in the Middle East and North Africa are:

• saving lives and alleviating suffering, especially for vulnerable civilians, refugees and displaced people
• combating terrorism and violent extremism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction
• promoting respect for human rights, including women's rights and the rights of religious minorities
• increasing food security
• improving opportunities for children and youth and empowering women
• encouraging democratic practices and institutions and respect for the rule of law
• advocating for economic reforms and increasing two-way investment and trade

Canada's Middle East strategy

Over the course of nine years, between 2016 and 2025, Canada is investing up to $3.5 billion to contribute to international efforts to enhance regional security and stabilization, to provide vital humanitarian assistance to those in need, to help host communities build resilience in the face of conflict, and to increase Canada’s diplomatic engagement in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. Find out more about Canada’s Middle East strategy.

Trade and economic relations

Over the past decade and a half, Canada has greatly increased its trade presence in the Middle East. Growth in exports and imports with the region exceed Canada’s growth in trade overall.

Canada has Free Trade Agreements with Israel and Jordan and 4 Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements with countries in the region (Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, and Lebanon).

Related links

• Canada's Middle East engagement strategy
• #WelcomeRefugees: Canada resettled Syrian refugees
• Global Coalition against Daesh
• Canadian Armed Forces Operations in the Middle East
• Trade and investment agreements
• Canada–Gulf Cooperation Council Strategic Dialogue
• Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council
• Canadian policy on key issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict