Finding Our Footing: ASEAN-Canada Relations in a Disrupted World

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EVENT DESCRIPTION

Please join us in Ottawa on December 16 for “Finding Our Footing: ASEAN–Canada Relations in a Disrupted World”, a timely conversation on how Canada and ASEAN can navigate an era of geopolitical uncertainty, shifting supply chains, and rapid economic change.

ASEAN is an increasingly important partner for Canada—economically, politically, and strategically. This event will explore why we matter to each other, how our interests align, and where we can deepen cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, security, and people-to-people ties.

SPEAKERS

Her Excellency Dr Shazelina Z. Abidin, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Canada

Dr Shazelina is currently Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Canada.

She has had postings in Washington D.C., arriving in early 2001 and going through the changes of September 11; at the Permanent Mission to the UN in New York; and as the Ambassador of Malaysia to Senegal.

Shazelina holds a B.A. (Hons) Law & Politics from Queen Mary College, University of London; an MSc. in International and European Politics from the University of Edinburgh; and a PhD in Politics from the University of Sheffield, UK. Shazelina maintains an international presence as a member of the International Advisory Board of the Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, and is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Sheffield. Since 2012, Shazelina has had a monthly column in the New Straits Times, writing on matters of international relations.

An avid reader and traveller, Dr Shazelina has handled the human rights desk, strategic planning, bilateral relations desk for Europe, Central Asia, and South Asia, and has headed the Ministry’s Communications Department. Her proudest role, however, was that as the Director General of Malaysia’s Diplomatic Institute, where she was able to use her expertise to train new generations of young national and international diplomats.

His Excellency Muhsin Syihab, Ambassador of Indonesia to Canada

Amb. Muhsin serves as the Ambassador of the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Canada and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Previously, he served as Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on Inter-Institutional Relations (2020-2025) and the Ambassador / Deputy Permanent Representative at the

Permanent Missions of The Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations, New York (2018-2020). His Foreign Service Officer career began in 1996, followed with professional experiences in Paris (2003-2005), and Geneva (2009-2013), and New York (2018-2020). Ambassador Muhsin is a highly distinguished official with extensive experience in negotiation and diplomacy including: Chairing various UN Security Council sessions on Sanctions, Committee 1267/terrorism issues and Sanctions Committee 1540/issues of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (2019—2020), Indonesia's Sous- Sherpa for the G20 (2016—2018), Negotiator for Post-2015 Development Agenda document (2014—2015), Assistant to the President of Trade and Development Board UNCTAD (2012—2013), Chairman for Committee for Trade and Investment at UNCTAD (2013), negotiator for Climate Change meetings (2009—2018), Head of Indonesian delegation for COP-4 Minamata Convention (2021—2022), and Deputy Head of Sherpa and Finance Track Joint Secretariat- the Indonesian G20 Presidency (2022).

Ambassador Muhsin completed his degree at Oxford University (2007), Saitama University (2000) and Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta (1994).

His Excellency Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga, Ambassador of Philippines to Canada

Ambassador Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga is a career diplomat and lawyer with over 25 years of service in the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Chan-Gonzaga has held key positions in both bilateral and multilateral postings,including as Consul General and Minister for Economic Affairs at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. and as Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., and First Secretary at the Philippine Permanent Mission to the World Trade Organization in Geneva.

At the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, he served as Assistant Secretary of the Office of American Affairs; Executive Director and Director for Treaties (Economic, Socio-Cultural) of the DFA’s Office of Legal Affairs; and Director for Social Development Issues and Human Rights and Economic, Finance, Agriculture, TCDC and IP Matters of the Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations. In these various capacities, he played a pivotal role in strengthening key bilateral ties in the Americas, advancing Philippine interests in international treaty negotiations and developing legal policy in diplomacy.

He holds a Masters in Law degree with concentration in International Law from Columbia Law School, New York, where he was a Fulbright Fellow and Bretzfelder International Law Fellow. He also holds a Juris Doctor from the Ateneo de Manila School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the Ateneo de Manila University.

He completed a Strategic Management and Leadership Program at the Asian Institute of Management in 2011, with a focus on economic development and diplomacy.

Born in Tacloban City, Leyte, he is married and has one son.

MODERATOR

Jonathan Berkshire Miller, Co-Founder and Principal, Pendulum Geopolitical Advisory

Jonathan Berkshire Miller is a globally recognized expert in security, defense, and geo-economics. With nearly two decades of experience, he has advised governments, corporations, and international organizations on geopolitical risk and policy development. He co-founded Pendulum Geopolitical Advisory and is a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Japan Institute of International Affairs, and Asian Forum Japan. Jonathan also serves as Canada’s ASEAN Regional Forum Expert and Eminent Person, and is a Responsible Leader with the BMW Foundation. His insights are featured in major publications like The Financial Times and The New York Times.

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