Related Events
Partner engagements & networking opportunities at CIAC2026
CIAC2026 provides a platform for Canada-Asia engagement, and many partners and attendees convene events on the margins of the conference that are relevant to our audience.
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February 2026
Mon
9
Tue
10
Wed
11
Thur
12
Fri
13
Monday, February 9
Myanmar in the Region - Political Discourse Before and After the Elections
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | KAS office in Singapore
Organizers: International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)
At a critical moment following Myanmar’s elections, this timely, high-level event will examine what comes next for human rights, the rule of law, and public policy in a country that remains in deep turmoil at the heart of ASEAN. Convened jointly by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC’s Knowledge for Democracy – Myanmar K4DM Initiative) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS Rule of Law Program Asia), the dialogue will be held as a side event of the Canada-in-Asia Conference on Monday, 9 February 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the KAS offices in Singapore. This closed-door meeting will focus on access to information, digital civic education, regional engagement, and the role of organizations within the K4DM and KAS networks. Contact Valentina Schott valentina.schott@kas.de and/or Edgard Rodriguez erodriguez@idrc.ca for more info.
CanWIN Investor Summit
12:00 p.m. -5:30 p.m. | Raffles City Convention Centre | By invitation
Organizers: Canadian Women’s International Network/APF Canada
On February 9, APF Canada will host its fourth annual investor summit, held on the margins of the Canada-in-Asia Conference in Singapore. This invitation-only event will bring together up to 100 investors, ecosystem builders, innovators, and startups that are active in Canada and the Indo-Pacific region. The forum includes a facilitated networking lunch, a panel discussion, an investor spotlight session, and a startup-investor feedback session. Those who are interested in attending may reach out to A.W. Lee, Director of Inclusive International Trade, APF Canada.
Western Alumni Connect: Singapore
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | VIP Lounge B, Fairmont Singapore | Registration required
Organizers: Western University
Join Karen Bertrand, Vice-President (Western Advancement), and Mark Daley, Chief AI Officer, for a special reception in the heart of Singapore during the Canada in Asia Conference 2026, proudly sponsored by Western. Mark Daley, a leading researcher in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, will discuss Western’s leadership and global impact in AI research. Whether you reside in or are visiting Singapore, this is the perfect opportunity to take in the sights of the Lion City and connect with the Western community. Registration includes a beverage and a selection of canapés. This event is complimentary; early registration is appreciated. The reception will be held in VIP Lounge B in the Fairmont Singapore.
Tuesday, February 10
Critical Minerals, Economic Security, and Strategic Partnerships
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Raffles City Convention Centre | By invitation
Organizers: APF Canada, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
This roundtable will convene senior representatives from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Government of Canada departments, regional experts, and Indo-Pacific partners to deepen understanding of shared risks and identify areas for practical co-operation in critical minerals security and associated strategic sectors.  Contact Irene Chan, Senior Research Program Manager, at APF Canada's Singapore Office for more info: irene.chan@asiapacific.ca.
Women in Business Roundtable & Luncheon
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Raffles City Convention Centre | By invitation
Organizers: Canadian Women’s International Network/APF Canada
APF Canada will be leading its tenth business mission to Singapore in February 2026.  As part of this business mission, APF Canada will host a high-level roundtable convening senior women leaders from business, government, academia, and non-governmental and non-profit organizations, as well as influential allies and advocates of women’s economic empowerment from Canada and Singapore. This session will provide a forum for candid dialogue and relationship-building, enabling participants to explore how women leaders can strengthen mutual market awareness and positioning to advance regional and two-way trade, investment, and business collaborations through cross-border partnerships. Conversations will focus on real-world challenges and opportunities facing women leaders across sectors, with particular attention to leveraging trade policy and alliance networks. Contact A.W. Lee, Director of Inclusive International Trade, APF Canada, for more info.
Catalysing Private Philanthropy to Support Research for Development in Asia
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Indiana Room, Raffles City Convention Centre
Organizers: International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Amid tightening public development budgets and shifting global aid priorities, private actors are playing an increasingly central role in advancing development outcomes. Across sectors—including agriculture, public health, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence—private philanthropy is emerging as a critical driver of innovation, risk-taking, and scalable impact. Philanthropic organizations are not only filling financing gaps left by declining official development assistance, but also supporting applied research, piloting new delivery models, and accelerating the translation of evidence into policy and practice. Despite their growing presence and influence in Asia, philanthropic efforts to support research for development (R4D) remain largely fragmented. Opportunities for coordination, shared learning, and collective resource mobilization among regional philanthropies are limited, constraining their potential to address complex, transboundary development challenges at scale. This side event aims to catalyse collaboration among philanthropic actors to advance shared R4D priorities in Asia. By fostering alignment across foundations, networks, and development partners, the event seeks to strengthen regional cooperation, enhance the sustainability and coherence of R4D financing, and unlock new pathways for evidence-based, locally grounded development action. In doing so, it responds directly to the financing and coordination gaps created by declining public development budgets and contributes to a more resilient, collaborative, and impact-driven development ecosystem in Asia.
Wednesday, February 11
China Unbound? Domestic Pressures and Regional Consequences
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | VIP B, Raffles City Convention Centre
Organizers: APF Canada
China has entered a period of structural adjustment marked by tighter political control, uneven economic recovery, and a more contested external environment. Domestic governance priorities—regime security, self-reliance, and social stability—have become increasingly intertwined with intensifying U.S.–China strategic competition, particularly under a second Trump administration. Renewed trade and technology restrictions have reinforced Beijing’s security-first orientation, with implications that extend well beyond China’s borders. For Southeast Asia, these shifts translate into heightened economic disruption, strategic uncertainty, and growing pressure to navigate competing demands from major powers. Understanding how China’s internal dynamics shape its regional behaviour is therefore critical to assessing future risks and policy options. This closed-door Strategic Dialogue (Track 2) event convenes China specialists from Singapore-based research institutions, alongside visiting Canadian officials, analysts, and private-sector participants, to assess these developments and their regional implications.
Thursday, February 12
JS-SEZ Site Tour
9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Berjaya Waterfront Hotel, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Organizers: Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia
As ASEAN economies intensify cooperation and accelerate growth, the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is emerging as a well-calibrated economic corridor - combining strategic dynamism with regulatory stability. Its position between a major financial hub and an expanding industrial base makes it a valuable lens into cross-border cooperation and the region's next wave of growth. Join this site tour on February 12, 2026, as part of CIAC2026 and hosted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia. Gain firsthand insights into investment-ready infrastructure, regulatory alignment, and regional trade dynamics. *JS-SEZ site tour is held separately from CIAC2026 and offered at an additional cost (MYR). Tickets options available for the full site tour and networking session only. Register to participate with ChanCham Malaysia
AI & Clean Economy Transition: Opportunities & Challenges
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | APF Canada Asia Regional Office (Singapore)
Organizers: Clean AI, Antares Capital
This roundtable discussion will be hosted by Clean AI and Antares Capital on Feb 12 on the margins of CIAC2026 focusing on the opportunities and challenges of implementing clean economies solutions and artificial intelligence across Canada and the Indo-Pacific region. More information to come.
Friday, February 13
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