Ottawa, 11 June 2022 (TDI): The Canadian Foreign Minister, Mélanie Joly, announced the formation of the Indo-Pacific Advisory Committee.

The committee will provide independent perspectives and suggestions on Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

The committee will include representatives of the private sector, civil society, and government to ensure that Canada’s enhanced approach to the Indo-Pacific reflects the diverse perspectives of Canadians from across the country.

It will help Canada create an Indo-Pacific strategy that will focus on expanding and deepening regional connections, developing innovative new technologies for people-to-people engagement, and better seizing and engaging on possibilities in the region for Canada and Canadians.

The strategy will take advantage of Canada’s assets and experience to help them achieve its objectives, such as trade diversification, inclusive growth, effective climate change action, and increased regional security.

As a Pacific nation, Canada understands the importance of the Indo-Pacific area to the long-term prosperity and security of Canadians.

Moreover, Canada is aggressively investing in the Indo-Pacific region to support a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific that contributes to a rules-based international order, which benefits both the people of the region and Canadians.

Highlights

The Canadian Foreign Minister is to develop and launch a comprehensive Indo-Pacific strategy to deepen diplomatic, economic, and defense partnerships and international assistance in the region.

It will be achieved in collaboration with the Ministry of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, and the Ministry of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada.

In addition, members of the Indo-Pacific Advisory Committee will be required to disclose any conflicts of interest to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner in accordance with the Conflict-of-Interest Act.

Members of the Indo-Pacific Advisory Group will serve on the committee on a personal and voluntary basis and will not be reimbursed for their efforts.