Events

Panel Discussion: New Realities, Old Ties: Canada and Europe in an Era of Global Tensions. June 19, 2025 | Vancouver, BC (Kasian Architecture Office)


I had the opportunity to join a high‑calibre panel organized by the Canada Germany Business Association and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung to explore the shifting dynamics in Canada–Europe relations. The discussion focused on the future of NATO amidst declining U.S. reliability, the impact and prospects of CETA, and Canada’s potential as a bridge between the transatlantic and Indo‑Pacific spheres.

I was joined on the panel by:
Vina Nadjibulla (Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada)
Bernd Althusmann (Konrad Adenauer Stiftung)
Alexandra Richards (Simon Fraser University)
The conversation was moderated by Franziska Schwarzmann.
I participated in the panel discussion “Shared Horizon: Canada and ASEAN in a Changing World,” hosted by UBC’s Center for Southeast Asia and the Peter Allard School of Law. In my remarks, I outlined the potential benefits of the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), while also highlighting key challenges, such as business uncertainty in Indonesia and the limited engagement between Canadian and Indonesian firms. I also addressed questions about opportunities for Canadian companies in Indonesia’s renewable energy sector and shared my thoughts on Indonesia’s decision to join BRICS.

In addition, I emphasized the critical role that the Indonesian diaspora and organizations like the Canada Indonesia Chamber of Commerce play in building bridges and facilitating collaboration between Canadian and Indonesian firms.

The panel also explored broader topics, including the impact of changing leadership in ASEAN, the future ASEAN economic outlook and the prospects of a Canada-ASEAN FTA, as well as how ASEAN is navigating global geopolitical competition.

I was honored to share the stage with distinguished panelists:
• Yves Tiberghien, Director of Kawankai Research at UBC, an expert on Asian and global governance.
• Tommy Koh, from the Singapore Prime Minister’s Office, a Civil Servant at Singapore’s Prime Minister Office in international relations.
• Dr. Hema Nadarajah, Senior Fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, specializing in ASEAN and international economic policy.

It was a thought-provoking discussion that underscored the dynamic and evolving relationship between Canada and ASEAN.
In November 2024, CIC Vancouver hosted a panel discussion with the President of World Refugee and Migration Council Fen Hampson and Former Canada’s Minister of Justice Allan Rock. I had the pleasure of moderating this event.
In May 2024, I moderated a panel discussion on Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with representatives from the consulate general of Indonesia in Vancouver, Indonesia Trade Promotion Center, and Onyx Strategy Insight.
In November 2023, CIC Vancouver hosted a roundtable discussion with Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, focusing on Canada’s foreign policy outlook. I had the opportunity to moderate this enlightening discussion.
CIC Vancouver: Canada-Taiwan Relations Amid the Indo-Pacific Strategy. June 22, 2023, at Simon Fraser University

As Ottawa implements its Indo-Pacific Strategy, Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre (TECO) Vancouver Director General Lihsin (Angel) Liu was pleased to join the Canadian International Council – Vancouver Branch to discuss the future of #Taiwan – #Canada relations.

CIC Vancouver: Key Foreign Policy Challenges for Canada in 2023 and Beyond with Senator Yuen Pau Woo. February 24, 2023, at PLace of Many Trees, the University of British Columbia

The CIC Vancouver is pleased to host the branch’s first in-person event of the year with the Honorable Senator Yuen Pau Woo. He is the independent senator representing BC and a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Senator Woo is also the former CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. In his remarks, the Senator outlines the rise of a multi-polar world and the dwindling of Canada’s degrees of freedom, which reduced Canada’s ability to take independent action on global issues.

In November 2022, I gave a seminar on Canada’s National Housing Strategy (NHS) to participants and audience of the Canada Undergraduate Policy Competition at UBC. I highlighted the pros and cons of the NHS and provided some recommendations to improve it.