High Commissioner Jodi Robinson
Article By Canada’s Ambassador to ASEAN Vicky Singmin and Canada’sHigh Commissioner to Malaysia Jodi Robinson
This week, Canada’s newly-named Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, made her first-ever trip to Asia in her new role. Where did she go? Malaysia. Why? ASEAN.
This has nothing to do with coincidence, and everything to do with sending a message. A message of support. A message of commitment. A message of partnership. In Southeast Asia, showing up matters. And for Canada, ASEAN matters.
As Canada’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) continues to deepen, we reflect with pride and optimism on our relationship with ASEAN. For 48 years, our bond has matured from a Dialogue Partnership into a robust Strategic Partnership, built on mutual trust and shared interests. This journey showcases the immense power of multilateralism in a world grappling with uncertainty.
As a consistent voice for multilateralism on the global stage, Canada values ASEAN’s central role in fostering regional stability and prosperity. This year, as Malaysia – a founding member and a longstanding friend of Canada – assumes the ASEAN chairmanship, we welcome the opportunity to deepen our collaboration, both with Malaysia and ASEAN. Malaysia’s leadership, with its focus on inclusivity and sustainability, aligns closely with Canada’s values and ambitions for the Indo-Pacific region.
Under Malaysia’s leadership, ASEAN recently marked a significant milestone with the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which reaffirms ASEAN centrality and advances a united and inclusive Indo-Pacific through a people-centered regional agenda. Canada’s strategic partnership with ASEAN, which is reinforced through international assistance, reflects the mutual respect and the spirit of sustainability. Key initiatives—such as the SEED Canada-ASEAN Scholarships, the ASEAN-Canada Trust Fund, collaboration with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance, the Women, Peace and Security project, and the Mitigation of Biological Threats programme—demonstrate Canada’s commitment to ASEAN priorities. Looking ahead, Canada will continue to work closely with ASEAN and other partners to help narrow development gaps and support a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous region.
As we expand our engagement, economic diversification and resilience remain central to our shared agenda. Negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreements are progressing steadily, with the potential to unlock significant rules-based opportunities for businesses and consumers across both regions once finalized.
Yet our ambitions extend well beyond traditional trade. We’re keen to increase our sectoral engagement, to work more closely with ASEAN on important issues such as digital transformation, energy and food security. Particularly, Canada is seeking to engage through the ASEAN Digital Senior Officials’ Meeting, which underscores our commitment to strengthening digital cooperation. These initiatives aren’t just about trade figures; they’re about empowering businesses, diversifying supply chains, and delivering
tangible benefits directly to people and communities.
Canada’s role in the Indo Pacific is multifaceted. We are actively collaborating on critical capacity building and security initiatives. The BlackBerry Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in Malaysia, for instance, is a great example of collaboration between a successful Canadian company and the Government of Malaysia, with additional support from the Government of Canada, to increase digital safety. testament to our joint efforts in enhancing digital security. Similarly, our CBSA Border Management Symposiums have supported regional efforts to strengthen border integrity and facilitate legitimate travel and trade. These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to practical, tangible support that enhances safety and stability.
We are approaching the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN-Canada relationship in 2027, a significant milestone that coincides with ASEAN’s own 60th founding anniversary. This long-standing engagement, built upon even deeper roots such as our 68 years of diplomatic relations with Malaysia, has been further elevated through Canada’s comprehensive Indo-Pacific Strategy. This strategy provides a clear framework for deepening our presence and partnerships, ensuring that our collaboration with ASEAN continues to drive innovation, foster inclusivity, and build a more secure and prosperous future for both our regions.
As both countries champion inclusive dialogue and rules-based cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, continued collaboration within the ASEAN framework will help foster peace, resilience, and prosperity for all our people. We look forward to supporting the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and a closer, more meaningful partnership of Canada with ASEAN and in the region.