Canada strengthens economic security with Republic of Korea and advances Indo-Pacific Strategy with Philippines

May 22, 2023 – Manila, Philippines – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today successfully concluded her visits to Seoul, Republic of Korea (Korea), from May 16 to 17, and Manila, Philippines, from May 18 to 21.

In Seoul, Minister Joly, alongside the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, participated in the inaugural High-Level Economic Security Dialogue with the Republic of Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Park Jin, and Ahn Dukgeun, Minister for Trade. This expanded meeting on economic security was a first for both countries, highlighting the importance of these issues. Building on the leader-level commitment under the bilateral Canada-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and both countries’ respective Indo-Pacific strategies, the four ministers agreed on the way forward to increase cooperation on a broad array of economic security issues in the North Pacific region. The ministers discussed concrete ways to create clean growth and prosperity, enhance economic security, and strengthen the resilience of supply chains. Priority areas of mutual interest included critical minerals, clean energy and energy security, supply chains, artificial intelligence, upholding rules-based trade, and cooperating on responding to and protecting against economic coercion.

Ministers Joly and Champagne also accompanied Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and participated in a number of high-level meetings. Witnessed by Prime Minister Trudeau and the Republic of Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol, Minister Joly signed the Youth Mobility Arrangement announced by Prime Minister Trudeau. The agreement will help increase work and travel opportunities available to Canadian and South Korean youth. In breaking new ground for economic prosperity and security and a greener future for generations to come, Minister Champagne and Minister Joly, in the presence of Prime Minister Trudeau and President Yoon, signed the landmark Memorandum of Understanding on Critical Mineral Supply Chains, the Clean Energy Transition, and Energy Security. This will strengthen our energy and economic security while moving towards net-zero emissions by 2050.

In Manila, Minister Joly leveraged Canada’s long-standing economic and cultural ties to the region, in order to pursue stronger bilateral and regional engagement with the Philippines and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, consistent with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Minister Joly met with key government officials, including President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, National Security Advisor Eduardo M. Año, and Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla.

During their meeting, Minister Joly and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. affirmed the two countries’ commitment to work together to address common challenges, including maintaining a rules-based international order, upholding regional peace and stability, and combatting climate change.

With Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, Minister Joly emphasized the importance that Canada places on its relationship with the Philippines, as a key bilateral and regional partner at the heart of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. The Ministers also discussed the strong people-to-people ties at the foundation of the bilateral relationship, and priority areas for enhanced cooperation, including peace and security, maritime affairs, trade and investment, disaster risk reduction, climate change, and regional issues. Minister Joly also engaged with National Security Advisor Eduardo M. Año and Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla on Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy as well as opportunities for collaboration. Minister Joly highlighted shared commitments to multilateralism and human rights; the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability; combatting malign influence; and Canada’s full support for Philippine jurisdiction and sovereignty rights in the West Philippine Sea.