On 14 March 2022, H.E. Urawadee Sriphiromya, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to ASEAN, attended the meeting between H.E. Paul Thoppil, Assistant Deputy Minister of Canada for Asia Pacific, and the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN, at
the ASEAN Secretariat. The Meeting was part of Assistant Deputy Minister Thoppil’s official visit to Jakarta.

Ambassador Sriphiromya welcomed the launch of ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations this year which will be instrumental for expanding trade and investment opportunities, establishing supply-chain linkages between ASEAN and North American regions and contributing to the post-pandemic recovery. Ambassador Sriphiromya also proposed that ASEAN and Canada enhance partnership in such areas as sustainable development and women empowerment, both of which are shared priorities of ASEAN and Canada.

Canada became ASEAN’s Dialogue Partner in 1977 and both sides will celebrate the 45^th anniversary of ASEAN-Canada Dialogue Partnership this year. Canada has been providing scholarships for ASEAN students, promoting ASEAN economic competitiveness, fostering MSMEs entrepreneurs in the region as well as contributing to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund.

(Photos Courtesy of the ASEAN Secretariat)