PH Hosts 15th ASEAN-Canada Dialogue
Left photo: Heads of delegation for the 15th ASEAN-Canada Dialogue link arms for the traditional family photo. Right photo: Philippine SOM Leader Undersecretary Enrique A. Manalo together with his counterpart Dr. Donald Bobiash, Assitant Deputy Minister for Asia Pacific.
MANILA 04 May 2018 – Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo and Canadian counterpart Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia Pacific Dr. Donald Bobiash co-chaired the 15th ASEAN-Canada Dialogue at the Conrad Manila on 3 May 2018. The Philippines is the current Country Coordinator for ASEAN-Canada Dialogue relations.
In his opening remarks, Undersecretary Manalo conveyed some of the highlights of the Philippines’ coordinatorship of the ASEAN-Canada dialogue partnership from 2016-2018, including the enactment of the current Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-Canada Enhanced Partnership (2016-2020) and the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN-Canada relations in 2017. Prime Minister Trudeau’s attendance as Guest of the Chair at the 31st ASEAN-Summit and Related Summits was underscored as an important milestone of the ASEAN-Canada partnership.
The Meeting reviewed the progress and future directions of ASEAN-Canada Dialogue relations and discussed regional and international developments relevant to both ASEAN and Canada.
In attendance were senior officials from the ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat.
Undersecretary Manalo and Dr. Bobiash also met on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Canada Dialogue to discuss important bilateral opportunities and concerns. They discussed mechanisms to further enhance economic cooperation, political relations and development cooperation. They also exchanged views on global issues of mutual interest and concern.
The 15th ASEAN-Canada Dialogue will be the final Senior Officials’ level meeting to be co-chaired by the Philippines in its three-year term as Country Coordinator for ASEAN-Canada relations. END