Introduction
In support of the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, the Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) will convene the Canada-ASEAN Business Forum 2026 in Manila, the Philippines. Held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS), the Forum will bring together senior government leaders, business executives, and institutional partners to advance the next phase of Canada-ASEAN economic cooperation.
As ASEAN approaches a pivotal moment in its economic trajectory, on track to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030, the Forum will serve as a strategic platform to align policy priorities with private-sector capabilities. It will strengthen the bridge between government and industry, supporting the translation of trade and investment frameworks into tangible commercial partnerships, more resilient supply chains, and sustainable, inclusive growth.
Key Themes & Discussions
Anchored in the Philippines’ Chairmanship theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the Forum will underscore Canada’s long-term partnership with ASEAN and highlight the private sector’s role in delivering practical outcomes across priority areas - food security, clean energy, infrastructure, innovation, and digital trade.
Canada-ASEAN Relations
Energy Security
Agriculture & Agri-food
Connectivity & Supply Chains
Trade & Investment
Capacity Building
MSME Growth
Agenda
November 14, 2026
Time
Program
Location
6:00 - 8:00 PM
CABC Members Welcoming Gathering
TBC
November 15, 2026
Time
Program
Location
8:15 - 9:00 AM
Registration
Grand Ballroom Foyer
9:00 - 9:10 AM
Opening Remarks
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Wayne Farmer, President, Canada-ASEAN Business Council
Grand Ballroom Foyer
9:10 - 9:45 AM
Opening Dialogue: Navigating the New Geoeconomic Landscape: Canada and ASEAN in a Changing World
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The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada (Invited)
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The Honourable Frederick Go, Secretary of Finance of the Philippines (Invited)
Moderator: Jeff Nankivell, President and CEO, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Against a rapidly evolving global economic and geopolitical landscape, this high-level dialogue will explore the strategic implications for Canada and ASEAN and the future of their economic partnership. The discussion will consider how both regions can strengthen resilience, deepen trade and investment ties, and advance practical cooperation in support of shared prosperity, competitiveness, and long-term economic security.
Main Stage
9:45 - 10:05 AM
Insights from the Negotiators on ASEAN-Canada FTA and Canada-Philippines FTA​
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Jay Allen, Director General, Trade Negotiations, Global Affairs Canada (Invited)
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H.E. Atty. Allan Gepty, Undersecretary for International Trade Group, Department of Trade and Industry (Invited)
Moderator: H.E. David Hartman, Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines (Invited)
With negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement and Canada - Philippines are expected to be substantially concluded this year, this session will provide a first-hand update on the agreements and what businesses can expect next. The session will provide insights into the concluded chapters and key outcomes, the expected benefits and new opportunities for Canadian, Philippines, and ASEAN businesses, and the anticipated pathway toward signature, ratification, and implementation.
Main Stage
10:05 - 10:50 AM
Panel 1: The ASEAN-Canada Momentum: What It Means for Business​
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Kevin Strain, President & CEO, Sun Life (Invited)
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Mark Lee, Chairman, Singapore Business Federation and CEO, Sing Lun Holdings Limited (Invited)
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Chris Spanjaard, Senior Vice President & COO, Purolator (Invited)
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Moderator: The Honourable Mary Ng, Former Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development of Canada, and Senior Milken Institute Fellow (Invited)
ASEAN-Canada relations are entering a new phase at a time when the global economy is being reshaped by trade uncertainty, shifting supply chains, geopolitical change, and emerging technologies such as AI and quantum technology. Bilateral goods trade reached a record CAD 52.4 billion in 2025, up 23.6% from 2024, while negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) have reached substantial conclusion, with signing targeted for 2027, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Canada relations. Against this backdrop, the panel will examine how Canada and ASEAN can sustain this momentum, strengthen economic resilience and competitiveness, and position businesses, including MSMEs, to capture new opportunities in trade, investment, regional value chains, and the industries of the future.
Main Stage
10:05 - 10:50 AM
Networking Coffee Break​​
Foyer Area
11:15 - 11:45 AM
Fireside Chat with the Ministers
Building on Momentum: The Future of ASEAN-Canada and Canada-Philippines Trade ​
​
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The Hon. Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade of Canada (Invited)
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H.E. Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines (Invited)
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Moderator: H.E. Ambra Dickie, Ambassador of Canada to ASEAN (Invited)
Building on the earlier discussions, this fireside chat will bring together the Trade Ministers of Canada and the Philippines to reflect on the growing momentum in both ASEAN-Canada and Canada-Philippines economic relations. Drawing on the opportunities and priorities highlighted in the preceding sessions, the Ministers will share their perspectives on how governments plan to translate this momentum into deeper trade and investment ties, including through the ASEAN-Canada FTA and the potential for an enhanced Canada-Philippines trade partnership.
Main Stage
11:45 AM - 12:35 PM
Panel 2: Canada, ASEAN and APEC — Supporting MSME Growth and Regional Cooperation​
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Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat (Invited)
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H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN (TBC)
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Ambra Dickie, Ambassador of the Mission of Canada to ASEAN (Invited)
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Lori Kerr, Chief Executive Officer of the Development Finance Institute of Canada (Invited)
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Moderator: Barrett Bingley, Asia Regional Director for the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Bringing ASEAN and APEC MSME stakeholders onto the main stage, this panel considers how the two regional platforms can work in greater concert to strengthen the MSME ecosystem across the region. The discussion will address MSME integration into regional and global value chains, digital and technological transformation, and the enabling conditions that allow smaller firms, particularly women-led and marginalized enterprises, to participate in and benefit from deeper economic ties with Canada.
Main Stage
12:35 - 12:45 PM
Special Plenary: A New Chapter in Canada-ASEAN Relations​
​​Special Address by The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada (Invited)
Main Stage
12:45 - 2:00 PM
Networking Lunch​​
Foyer Area
1:30 - 3:00 PM
Parallel Session
Nuclear Energy Roundtable (TBC)​​
Breakout Room
2:00 - 2:45 PM
Panel 3: Strengthening Canada-ASEAN Partnership for Food Security and Resilience​
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Scene-Setting Keynote Speech: H.E. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Secretary of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture of the Philippines
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Eric Bienvenue, Canada Beef Association
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Ernesto Tanmantiong, Global President and CEO, Jollibee (Invited)
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Moderator: Diedrah Kelly, Executive Director, Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-food Office (Invited)
As ASEAN’s population, incomes, and demand for safe and nutritious food continue to grow, the region must strengthen food security while adapting to the increasing pressures of climate change. This panel will explore how Canada and ASEAN can deepen cooperation across agriculture and agri-food to strengthen food supply and safety, meet ASEAN’s growing protein and nutritional needs, and build more resilient and sustainable food systems. The discussion will highlight how Canadian agricultural products, technology, innovation, and expertise can support ASEAN in adapting to climate-related risks, strengthening agricultural value chains, and developing long-term partnerships that enhance regional food security.
Main Stage
1:30 - 2:30 PM
Parallel Session:
Panel 3: Policy–MSME Dialogue​​​
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Trinh Thi Huong, ACCMSME Chair and Deputy Director General of the Agency of Enterprise Development, Vietnam's Ministry of Planning and Investment
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María Jesús Prieto, APEC SME Working Group Chair
Representative, ASEAN Business Advisory Council, Philippines -
Kulkanya Kulmala, MSME Entrepreneur from ASEAN
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Moderator: Karenina B. Romualdo, Acting Vice President for Business Affairs of Central Luzon State University (CLSU)
Policymakers, MSME support organizations and MSME entrepreneurs will engage in a structured dialogue on enabling policies that enhance MSME competitiveness and resilience. This session provides an opportunity for the Policy Leadership Stream to share key outcomes from the pre-event policy workshops and the Day 1 roundtable, and to engage directly with MSME representatives to exchange perspectives and practical insights.
MSME Stage
2:45 - 3:30 PM
Panel 4: Powering ASEAN’s Future: Addressing the Energy Trilemma through Canada-ASEAN Cooperation
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Scene-Setting Keynote Speech: H.E. Sharon Garin, Secretary of Energy of the Philippines
​
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Ian Edwards, CEO, AtkinsRealis (TBC)
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Danel C. Aboitiz, President and CEO, Aboitiz Power (Invited)
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Stefano Ghezzi, Managing Director for Energy and Head of Southeast Asia, Brookfield (TBC)​
ASEAN’s rapidly growing economies face an increasingly complex energy trilemma: meeting rising demand while maintaining energy security, affordability, and progress toward climate objectives. This challenge is becoming more urgent amid a volatile global landscape, where geopolitical disruptions, including risks to critical energy routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, can affect fuel supplies, prices, and investment decisions, while climate change is increasing pressure to build more resilient and lower-carbon energy systems. This panel will explore how Canada and ASEAN can deepen cooperation across power-grid connectivity, renewable and conventional energy, nuclear technology, and resilient infrastructure. The discussion will also examine one of the region’s most persistent challenges: turning energy ambitions into bankable projects, including how governments, development finance institutions, utilities, investors, and the private sector can improve project preparation, risk allocation, financing structures, and regulatory certainty to mobilize the capital required for ASEAN’s energy transition and long-term energy security.
Main Stage
2:30 - 3:30 PM
Parallel Session:
Panel 4: Scale Up to Regional and Global Market​
​​
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Kobsak Duangdee, Former Secretary General, Thai Bankers' Association
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Ea Hai Khov, Assistant Director of the Enterprise and Stakeholders Engagement Division (ESED), ASEAN Secretariat
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A representative from the Trade Team of Canada’s Mission to the Philippines/ Development Finance Institute of Canada /Trade Facilitation Office of Canada
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ASEAN MSME Entrepreneur
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Moderator: Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
This panel will feature trade experts from ASEAN and Canada who will discuss the opportunities and potential for ASEAN MSMEs to contribute to, and benefit from, regional and global trade and supply chains.
MSME Stage
3:30 - 4:00 PM
Fireside Chat: Investing in People: Canada and ASEAN Building the Workforce of the Future​
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Scene-Setting Keynote Speech: H.E. Sharon Garin, Secretary of Energy of the Philippines
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Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO, Humber Polytechnic
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Dr. Steven Murphy, President and Vice-Chancellor, Ontario Tech University
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TESDA Philippines
As ASEAN economies continue to grow and transform, developing a future-ready workforce will be critical to sustaining competitiveness, innovation, and inclusive growth. This fireside chat will explore how Canada and ASEAN can work together to strengthen human capital through education, skills development, applied learning, research, and closer partnerships between academic institutions and industry. Drawing on Canadian expertise in workforce-oriented education and innovation, the discussion will consider how deeper collaboration can help equip the next generation with the skills needed for a rapidly changing, technology-driven, and increasingly sustainable economy.
Main Stage
3:30 - 4:30 PM
Networking Coffee Break​​
Foyer Area
4:00 - 4:40 PM
Parallel Session:
Project Highlights and Impact Stories Session
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Xiaoyi (Yee) Ze, Program Manager, APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership
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Privena Asogan, Malaysia (MSME Participant of the APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership)
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Alyssa Binti Haniff, Senior Manager, Development & Partnerships, Women of Will - Malaysia (Implementation Partner of the APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership)
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Le Ha, Associate Professor of the Foreign Trade University's Innovation and Incubation Space – Viet Nam (Implementation Partner of the APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership)
This session will mark the official conclusion of ACGBP Phase II implementation by reflecting on the project’s achievements, experiences, and impact. MSME entrepreneurs will share success stories from their participation in the project, implementation partners will reflect on their experience supporting MSMEs, and the ACGBP team will provide an overview of key project results and achievements.
MSME Stage
4:30 - 5:20 PM
Panel 5: Shaping the Next Chapter of Canada-ASEAN Investment​
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Scene-Setting Presentation: Barrett Bingley, Asia Regional Director, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
​
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Cezar Consing, President and CEO, Ayala Corporation
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Rafael Consing Jr., President and CEO, Maharlika Investment Corporation (Invited)
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Arsjad Rasjid, Founder and Chairman, Sriwijaya Capital (Invited)
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Kelvin Dushisky, Executive Chair, B2Gold
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Wai Leng Leong, Managing Director, Head of Asia Pacific, La Caisse (Invited)
Canada and ASEAN are entering a new phase in their investment relationship as both seek to diversify economic partnerships and strengthen resilience amid a changing global landscape. The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s Investment Monitor 2026 shows a significant shift: ASEAN investment into Canada rose from less than CAD 200 million in 2005-2009 to nearly CAD 19 billion in 2020-2024, while Canadian investment into Southeast Asia declined from nearly CAD 19 billion to CAD 4.5 billion over the same periods. Building on the Canada Investment Summit in September 2026, this panel will bring together institutional investors, private capital leaders, business executives, and legal and advisory experts to examine how both regions can translate strategic interest into investable opportunities. The discussion will explore how sovereign and institutional capital, private equity, infrastructure investors, and corporate partners can identify and structure opportunities across sectors. It will also address the practical conditions that shape investment decisions, including bankability, risk allocation, regulatory certainty, governance, partnerships, and market entry. The panel will ultimately consider how Canada and ASEAN can build a stronger two-way investment pipeline and deepen long-term capital partnerships between the two regions.
Main Stage
4:40 - 5:00 PM
Parallel Session:
ASEAN-APEC Forum Closing Session
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Jeff Nankivell, President and CEO, The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
ASEAN-APEC Forum Closing Session
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Jeff Nankivell, President and CEO, The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
MSME Stage
5:20 - 5:30 PM
Canada-ASEAN Business Forum Closing Session​​
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Wayne Farmer, President, Canada-ASEAN Business Council
Canada-ASEAN Business Forum Closing Session​​
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Wayne Farmer, President, Canada-ASEAN Business Council
Main Stage
5:20 - 5:30 PM
Networking Reception​​
Networking Reception
Foyer Area
Tickets
