ASEAN’s Outlook for Indo-Pacific under spotlight at Canada workshop
The Outlook for Indo-Pacific of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was at the focus of attention at a workshop in Ottawa, Canada on November 25, held by the ASEAN Committee in Ottawa.
Ottawa (VNA)ౠ – The Outlookfor Indo-Pacific of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was atthe focus of attention at a workshop in Ottawa, Canada on November 25, held bythe ASEAN Committee in Ottawa.
Addressing the event, IndonesianAmbassador to Canada Abdul Kadir Jailani noted that the Indo-Pacific region is undergoing geo-political andgeo-strategic changes, and Southeast Asia is at thecentre of the region.
According to him, the world’sfocus has shifted from North Atlantic to Indo-Pacific, and in this context,Canada should maintain a consistent and more active commitment to the region.
Prof. Julie Nguyen from the ASEANStudies Centre under the York University, was of the view that the Canada-ASEANties will be more comprehensive when Canada is more involved in the peacefulsettlement of disputes in Indo-Pacific to promote navigation safety andsecurity.
Participants said Canada and ASEANcould conduct technical cooperation to protect the livelihoods and safety offishermen communities in the East Sea, and assist with the preservation ofmarine environment and bio-diversity.
In the economic field, Canada andASEAN can work together in science-technology, research and innovation. Canadacan support ASEAN in implementing its Economic Community Blueprint 2025and free trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and ProgressiveAgreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Canada has been a dialoguepartner of ASEAN since 1977. It has provided 2.7 billion CAD (around 2.03billion USD) in development assistance to ASEAN and the grouping’s membercountries.
🌃 ASEAN is currently the sixthlargest trade partner of Canada, with two-way trade reaching 25 billion CAD(18.8 billion USD) in 2018.
The regional organisation groups Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam./.
ASEAN-Canada relations and measures to harmonise the American country’s benefits with ASEAN development progress in the context of shifting power among great rivalries were discussed at a roundtable held in Toronto, Canada from October 26-28.
Canada's Minister of International Trade Francois-Philippe Champagne began his three-day visit on March 22 to Singapore, aiming to bolster trade and investment with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Singapore in particular.
A Vietnamese delegation led by Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, head of the country’s permanent mission to ASEAN, attended the seventh ASEAN - Canada Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting, which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia on March 15.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canada have agreed to promote cooperation across three pillars – politics-security, economy, and socio-culture, during the 16th ASEAN-Canada Dialogue at deputy foreign ministerial level.
The handover ceremony was held at the Malaysian Embassy headquarters in Mexico City on August 8, with the presence of heads of diplomatic missions from ASEAN member states in Mexico.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
At the event (Photo: VNA) 
