Jakarta, INTI - The ASEAN-Canada Special Summit took place on the second day of the 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship hosted by Laos, held at the National Convention Center, Vientiane, on October 10, 2024. The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, marked his third meeting with the leaders of ASEAN member states, underscoring the importance of this summit. During his remarks, Trudeau emphasized the significance of ASEAN as the fastest-growing region in the world and highlighted Canada's keen interest in ASEAN as a dynamic and attractive region.
Leading the Indonesian delegation was Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, representing Vice President Ma’ruf Amin. Minister Airlangga underscored the need for ASEAN to integrate with other regions globally. He highlighted Canada's role in the Indo-Pacific region, stressing ASEAN’s central position. With Canada as ASEAN’s strategic dialogue partner, this collaboration strengthens the implementation of elements of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). “The implementation of AOIP elements will allow ASEAN to foster inclusive cooperation, creating shared peace and prosperity,” stated Minister Airlangga.
Canada, as America’s front yard, holds immense potential in areas such as clean energy technology development, education, critical minerals, and market access to North America. In front of Prime Minister Trudeau and all ASEAN leaders, Minister Airlangga presented innovative proposals to enhance ASEAN-Canada collaboration.
1. Strengthening Economic Cooperation through Clean Technology
Minister Airlangga emphasized the importance of adopting clean technology, which has seen significant development in Canada, to bolster ASEAN’s clean energy transition. Canada is expected to become ASEAN's strategic partner in clean energy development through financing and technology transfer. Minister Airlangga also encouraged collaboration on energy transition technologies, including the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and palm oil-based biofuels. SMR, a mid-scale nuclear energy technology, is being developed as a safer and more affordable source of clean energy. Indonesia has already begun assessing the potential of SMR.
He also pushed for the completion of free trade agreement negotiations between Canada and ASEAN. “Negotiations on the Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement need to be finalized next year to enhance market access and strengthen global supply chains, particularly for critical minerals,” Minister Airlangga added.
2. Cooperation in Food Security
In 2023, ASEAN and Canada agreed on the ASEAN-Canada Joint Leaders' Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises, setting a foundation for joint commitments in food security and nutrition. Following this, Canada established the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO) in Manila. “We should leverage this office to foster concrete cooperation, including collaboration on sustainable agricultural technologies and food systems to ensure smooth fertilizer supply chains,” Minister Airlangga remarked.
The leaders of ASEAN countries also discussed further strengthening cooperation in the digital sector and enhancing people-to-people connections. Canada plans to open embassies in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Vientiane, Laos, extending its diplomatic presence to all ASEAN nations. Leaders also emphasized expanding and improving the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program to foster knowledge transfer and enhance youth education in the region, including supporting digitalization and technology adoption.
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