PH Advances ASEAN Cooperation in Addressing Regional and International Security Issues at the 19th ASEAN-Canada Dialogue

SOM Leaders of ASEAN and Canada posed for a group photo prior to the start of the Dialogue. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia)

PASAY CITY,  22 June 2022 – Acting Undersecretary and Philippine Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Leader Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro expressed the Philippines’ views on addressing regional and international security issues through regional cooperation at the 19th ASEAN-Canada Dialogue held on 21 June 2022 via video conference. 

In her intervention, Acting Undersecretary Lazaro said that ASEAN “places strategic importance on dealing with a number of complex issues both in our region and internationally, consistent with our efforts to maintain peace, security, and stability in the region.”

Acting Undersecretary Lazaro also welcomed Canada’s additional financial support to the Tripartite Action for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers in the ASEAN Region (TRIANGLE in ASEAN), a program that aims to protect and promote the rights of migrant workers. As one of the major labor exporters in the world, the Philippines appreciates the TRIANGLE as it will enable assistance to migrant workers, especially the low-paid migrant care workers that were affected by the pandemic. 

ASEAN and Canada discussed other areas of cooperation during the Dialogue, including economic, socio-cultural, and cross-pillar cooperation. The SOM Leaders noted that the negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement will commence this year and discussed possible commemorative activities in celebration of the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-Canada relations. 

Canada has been ASEAN’s Dialogue Partner since 1977. This year marks the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-Canada relations. END