The 14th Meeting of ASEAN-Canada Joint Cooperation Committee convenes at ASEAN Headquarters

JAKARTA, 6 MARCH 2026 - ASEAN and Canada renew commitment to further strengthening their strategic partnership at the 14th Meeting of the ASEAN-Canada Joint Cooperation Committee held at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat today.

The meeting shared updates on the developments in ASEAN and in Canada and reviewed the broad range of cooperation between both sides. It also noted with satisfaction the substantive progress of implementation of the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action (POA) (2021-2025). The meeting looked forward to the adoption of the new POA (2026-2030), with a view to further strengthening the partnership and advancing it to a greater height. It also noted the ongoing establishment of the ASEAN-Canada POA Trust Fund Development Cooperation Programme Management Team (PMT), which will strengthen the effective management, coordination, and strategic utilisation of the Trust Fund.

ASEAN and Canada discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in areas such as maritime, blue economy, combating transnational crimes, cybersecurity, Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, agriculture, food security, mine action, disaster management, protection of migrant workers, and education. Both sides also shared the view on the importance of working together in the areas of trade and investment, digitalisation, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), creative economy, health, climate change, sustainability, renewable energy, emerging technologies, and connectivity. In this regard, ASEAN encouraged Canada to collaborate with various centres of excellence in ASEAN Member States.

ASEAN and Canada looked forward to the substantial conclusion of the negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada FTA (ACAFTA) this year. The Agreement is expected to further enhance ASEAN-Canada economic ties, strengthen integration into global value chains, and expand market access for businesses in both ASEAN and Canada.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to ASEAN, Sitsangkhom Sisaketh, and the Ambassador of Canada to ASEAN, Ambra Dickie. It was attended by the Permanent Representatives to ASEAN or their respective representatives, along with their delegations, as well as representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat.