Minister Hussen announces support to strengthen Canada’s development partnerships in Indo-Pacific region

February 15, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, concluded a productive visit to Bangladesh and Indonesia, reinforcing Canada’s commitment to sustainable development, climate action and cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and countries in the broader Indo-Pacific region. These development initiatives strengthen local communities while benefiting the global economy and Canada’s security and prosperity.

During his visit, Minister Hussen announced a total of $56.8 million in new

development and humanitarian funding to strengthen shared priorities, such as providing essential healthcare services and alleviating food insecurity, reducing the risk of disease epidemics, strengthening women’s rights and lifting the most vulnerable communities out of poverty. Canada’s contributions to these initiatives help save lives and make a meaningful difference in creating a safer, fairer, and healthier world, while advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The Minister’s visit reflects Canada’s commitment to expanding partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region and supporting development initiatives that align with local priorities and Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and Indo-Pacific Strategy.

While in Bangladesh, Minister Hussen engaged with key government officials and development partners to advance shared priorities. In Dhaka, he met with Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s Interim Government, and Touhid Hossain, Adviser for Foreign Affairs, to discuss democratic governance, shared prosperity and Canada’s support for human rights and social inclusion. He also engaged with representatives of the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on Bangladesh’s development trajectory and the ongoing Rohingya refugee response. Minister Hussen received updates from Bangladeshi development leaders on Canada’s partnerships in health, the rights of women and minorities and governance reforms.

Minister Hussen also traveled to Cox’s Bazar to visit projects funded by Canada, including income-generating agricultural activities for host communities; an innovative system for accessing fresh and local produce; and programs providing education, skills training and a health centre in a Rohingya refugee camp that provides essential life-saving care for Rohingya refugees. Canada remains a steadfast partner in addressing the Rohingya crisis and pursuing durable solutions for displaced populations in the region.

In Indonesia, the Minister strengthened Canada’s collaboration with the Government of Indonesia and with ASEAN. He met with Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, Indonesia’s Minister of Environment, and Rachmat Pambudy, Minister for National Development Planning, to discuss deepening cooperation on climate action, economic development and inclusive growth. He also met with Canadian companies to better understand the private sector context and discuss opportunities for Canadian businesses to grow in Indonesia. These discussions highlighted Canada’s commitment to working alongside Indonesia to address global challenges, including climate change and gender equality.

Minister Hussen also met with Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, and the members of the ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives to reinforce Canada’s strategic partnership with ASEAN. Canada’s engagement with ASEAN is a key element of its Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aims to foster economic and development cooperation, regional stability and resilience.

Throughout his visit, Minister Hussen highlighted Canada’s leadership in international development and humanitarian efforts, reaffirming its commitment to working with ASEAN to build a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Quotes

“By working together with partners across the Indo-Pacific region, Canada is helping support the most vulnerable communities while tackling global challenges, from gender equality to climate change to health equity. By working together, we are fostering resilient communities and promoting inclusive economic growth around the world.”

- Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development

Quick facts

• Bangladesh remains one of Canada’s largest aid recipients, having received more than $6.2 billion in Canadian international assistance since 1972.

• Canada disbursed $300 million in funding between 2018 and 2021, and $288.3 million between 2021 and 2024, in accordance with its Strategy to Respond to the Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh. This funding has provided essential services to Rohingya refugees, such as health care, food, access to education, skills training and programs that promote women’s rights.

• Canada and Indonesia have been development partners for more than 70 years.

• The Indo-Pacific Strategy will continue to deepen Canada’s development cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region over the next decade with the aims of enhancing Canada’s profile as an active and engaged development partner and increasing people-to-people ties with the region, including by providing an additional $20 million in funding over 5 years to support Feminist International Assistance Policy programming in Indonesia.

• Canada also recently announced $14.8 million in funding over 7 years for Cowater International to strengthen equitable health care access in target regions in Indonesia.

• In 2023, Canada and ASEAN launched a strategic partnership for further collaboration in strategic areas of mutual interest, including peace and security and in economic and socio-cultural cooperation.