Jakarta, INTI - The ASEAN-Canada Special Summit held on October 10, 2024, at the National Convention Center in Vientiane, Laos, marked a significant step in enhancing ASEAN-Canada relations. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, participating for the third time with ASEAN leaders, recognized ASEAN as one of the fastest-growing regions globally. He reiterated Canada's long-standing interest in the dynamic and evolving ASEAN region.
Representing Indonesia, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto highlighted ASEAN’s need to integrate further with global partners, emphasizing Canada’s strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region. He highlighted that Canada’s position as ASEAN’s strategic dialogue partner demonstrates the realization of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which promotes inclusive cooperation aimed at global peace and shared prosperity. “Implementing the AOIP will strengthen ASEAN’s capability to form inclusive partnerships that promote peace and prosperity for all,” Airlangga noted.
Leveraging Canada's Expertise: Clean Energy and Critical Technology Cooperation
One of the central themes of the summit was economic cooperation, particularly focusing on clean energy and technology. Airlangga Hartarto emphasized ASEAN’s interest in adopting clean energy technology developed in Canada. He expressed optimism that Canada will serve as a strategic partner in advancing clean energy, with particular attention to financing and technology transfer. Collaboration on emerging energy technologies like Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and palm oil-based biofuels was proposed. SMR technology is gaining attention globally as a safer, smaller, and cost-effective nuclear energy alternative, and Indonesia has already begun assessments of its viability.
Minister Airlangga further pushed for the swift completion of negotiations on the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement. “Finalizing the Free Trade Agreement by next year is crucial for enhancing market access and reinforcing global supply chains, particularly concerning critical minerals essential for energy and technology industries,” he emphasized.
Food Security and Agricultural Collaboration
The summit also highlighted Canada’s and ASEAN’s joint commitment to food security, reflected in the 2023 ASEAN-Canada Joint Leaders' Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition. To further this commitment, Canada has established the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO) in Manila, which aims to promote concrete collaboration in sustainable agricultural technology and food systems, ensuring stable fertilizer supply chains. “We must maximize the potential of the IPAAO for meaningful collaboration in agricultural technology and sustainable food systems,” added Minister Airlangga.
The leaders also discussed further initiatives in the digital economy and enhancing people-to-people ties. To deepen its engagement with ASEAN, Canada plans to open new embassies in Cambodia and Laos, bringing its diplomatic presence to every ASEAN member state. The leaders encouraged the expansion of the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program, which facilitates knowledge transfer and boosts education in the region, particularly focusing on supporting digitalization and technological development.
Economic Ties Between ASEAN and Canada on the Rise
Over the past five years, ASEAN-Canada economic relations have grown despite disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and economic slowdown in 2023. Bilateral trade between Canada and ASEAN was valued at USD 20.27 billion in 2023, up from USD 17.15 billion in 2019. Canadian investments in ASEAN have remained relatively stable, averaging USD 3-4 billion annually, except in 2022 when investments dropped to USD 825 million.
Minister Airlangga was accompanied at the summit by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto, and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
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