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#CIAC2026
CIAC Multimedia:
Videos, Podcasts, and Stories from Canada-in-Asia Conferences
Video
CIAC2025 Gala Dinner
Canada-Asia Cooperation in Space
CIAC2025's Gala Dinner featured a discussion with Koichi Wakata, Astronaut and Chief Technology Officer Asia Pacific at Axiom Space (Japan), and Dr. Shawna Pandya, Canadian Commercial Astronaut, International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) & Director, IIAS Space Medicine Group.
Ian McKay, Ambassador of Canada to Japan and Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific, moderated this presentation at the Canada-in-Asia Conference 2025 (CIAC2025) in Singapore on February 20, 2025
CIAC2025: Extended Highlights Reel
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CIAC2025: Feb 19-21, 2025
An extended look at the highlights and key focal points from the Canada-in-Asia Conference in February 2025.
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CIAC2025 Featured 738 attendees, 235 of those from Canada and 482 from Asia, 125 unique speakers, and 30 panel discussions. ​The 2025 event also introduced the Higher Education Roundtable series presented by Universities Canada, and incorporated 20 side events from alumni receptions to networking roundtables to Canadian Heads of Mission meetings.
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CIAC2025: Short Highlights Reel
CIAC2025: Feb 19-21, 2025
A short highlights compilation of the third annual Canada-in-Asia Conference in February 2025, in partnership with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and Universities Canada. CIAC2025 brought together 700+ Canada-connected individuals and organizations in Asia to catalyze new and strengthened Canada-Asia collaboration.
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Plenary Session | CIAC 2023
Major Global Challenges
In this Plenary Session on Major Global Challenges (Geopolitical, Economic, Sustainability) , the panel highlights areas of global importance where Canada can be relevant to concerns in Asia and in the Asian context.
Plenary Session | CIAC 2023
What's Your Asia Strategy?
A high-level armchair discussion at the Canada-in-Asia Conference 2023 (CIAC2023) featuring senior business, government, and academic leaders.
Keynote Address | CIAC 2023
Donna Strickland (Part 1)
A presentation by Canadian Nobel Laureate (Physics 2018) Donna Strickland, Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Waterloo, under the theme, 'Spotlight on Excellence in Science in Canada.'
Keynote Address | CIAC 2023
Donna Strickland (Part 2)
An armchair discussion (Part 2) between Ms. Strickland and Vivek Goel, President & Vice Chancellor, University of Waterloo.
Plenary Session | CIAC 2023
Canadian AI Excellence
In this CIAC2023 session, Canadian experts in the field of AI and machine learning discuss Canada’s strength and advantage in AI, some current trends, and highlight areas of potential collaboration with Asia.
Opening Remarks | CIAC 2023
Paul Davidson
Universities Canada President Paul Davidson presents opening remarks at the Canada-in-Asia Conference 2023 (CIAC2023) in Singapore on February 22, 2023.
Gala Keynote | CIAC 2023
Parag Khanna
Parag Khanna, a leading global strategy advisor, world traveller, and bestselling author, presents his keynote address, Canada’s Opportunity in the Asian Future.
Keynote Address | CIAC 2023
Moshe Safdie
Moshe Safdie, celebrated architect, urban planner, educator, theorist, and author, presents his keynote address, Quest for Habitation.
Featuring APF Canada & Universities Canada Teams
Enjoy a full run down of everything you need to know for the Canada-in-Asia Conference 2025 (#CIAC2025) with this webinar recording.
Opening Remarks | CIAC 2023
Jeff Nankivell
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada President and CEO Jeff Nankivell presents opening remarks at the Canada-in-Asia Conference 2023 (CIAC2023) in Singapore on February 22, 2023.
CIAC2025: Preview Video
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Audio
CIAC Conversations
| CIAC 2025 | Business Engagement
CIAC Conversations: A Conversation with Kapil Kapoor, Canada’s International Research Development Centre’s Asia Director
In this episode of CIAC Conversations, Kapil Kapoor, Regional Director, Asia, with Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), joins APF Canada’s Communications Director Mike Roberts on the sidelines of this year’s annual Canada-in-Asia Conference in Singapore.
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The conversation touches on IDRC’s mandate and work – particularly as it intersects with the Indo-Pacific – and the Centre’s evolving strategy for creating and deepening connections between partners in Canada and Asia.
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This podcast was originally recorded in February 2025.
| CIAC 2025 | Business Engagement
CIAC Conversations: A Conversation with Lori Kerr, CEO of FinDev Canada
In this episode of CIAC Conversations, FinDev Canada CEO Lori Kerr sits down with APF Canada’s Communications Director Mike Roberts at this year’s annual Canada-in-Asia Conference in Singapore to discuss – among other topics – the opening of FinDev Canada’s regional office in Singapore, announced at CIAC2025.
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Lori touches on the strategic importance of FinDev Canada’s new office as a platform to continue deepening business relations in the region and beyond. She also discusses the opportunities for Canadian businesses to engage in emerging markets in the Indo-Pacific region, spaces for Canadian firms to invest in Asian infrastructure, and the importance of sustainable solutions in building lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships among the dynamic economies of Asia.
This podcast was originally recorded in February 2025.
| CIAC 2025 | Engagement & Networking
CIAC Conversations: A Discussion with Jeff Nankivell, APF Canada’s President & CEO
In this premier episode of CIAC Conversations, APF Canada’s President & CEO Jeff Nankivell, the originator of the Canada-in-Asia Conferences series, sits down with the Foundation’s Communications Director Mike Roberts to share his thoughts on CIAC2025.
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Jeff dives into the past, present, and future of CIAC, the growth of dynamic Canada-Asia partnerships, and what APF Canada’s future activities will look like in the Indo-Pacific region, including the opening of a new Asia Regional Office & New Programs based in Singapore this spring.
| CIAC 2025 | Engagement & Networking
CIAC Conversations: A Conversation with Gabriel Miller, President & CEO of Universities Canada
In this episode of CIAC Conversations, Universities Canada President & CEO Gabriel Miller sits down with APF Canada’s Communications Director Mike Roberts at this year’s conference to share his thoughts on the participation of Universities Canada, co-host of the Canada-in-Asia Conferences series, at CIAC2025.
Gabriel discusses the importance of engagement by Canada’s post-secondary institutions with peers and partners in the Indo-Pacific, opportunities and obstacles in the global competition for talent, the importance of research partnerships benefitting stakeholders on both sides of the Pacific, and the continuing importance of international students to Canada’s future prosperity.
Asia Pacific Conversations
| CIAC 2024 | Climate Solutions
Asia Pacific Conversations: Seeking Solutions to the Global Challenges of Humanity
In this special episode of Asia Pacific Conversations, Santiago Alba-Corral, Director of the International Development Research Centre’s Climate Resilient Food Systems Program, discusses the ongoing work of this Canadian institution in supporting research and researchers in developing countries to find solutions to the “global challenges of humanity.”
Santiago – a key speaker and participant at the Climate Solutions conference that was part of APF Canada’s Canada-in-Asia Conferences in Singapore in February 2024 – discusses what he sees as the two major global challenges of the current era: increased inequality and the climate crisis. With 47 active projects across 17 Asian economies, Santiago further explains the work of IDRC in the interconnected global ecosystems of food production and security.
| CIAC 2024 | Agrifood
Asia Pacific Conversations: The Business of Moving Water
In this special episode of Asia Pacific Conversations, APF Canada’s Trade and Investment Program Manager Anastasia Ufimtseva chats with Mark Nicol, an Asia-based tech-consultant and Business Development Lead (Asia Pacific, Europe the Middle East and Africa) for Calgary-based Mobiltex Data. Mobiltex develops innovative field and cloud-connected technologies to deliver operational, safety, and ESG benefits to energy, water utility, and critical infrastructure operations.
Mark – a speaker at the Agrifood conference that was part of APF Canada’s Canada-in-Asia Conferences in Singapore in February 2024 – discusses innovations in water supply management and the importance of engagement with businesses and government to bolster connections in the Asia Pacific. Originally from the U.K., where he worked for Thames Water as a water network engineer, Mark relocated to Asia in 2007 and has spent the last 16 years helping the region tackle challenges related to their water supply management.
| CIAC 2024 | Agrifood
Asia Pacific Conversations: The Global Growth and Canadian Opportunity in Plant-based Proteins
In this special episode of Asia Pacific Conversations, APF Canada’s Trade and Investment Program Manager Anastasia Ufimtseva chats with Dr. Gaurav Sharma, co-founder of Shandi Global, a Singapore-based company with Canadian connections. Shandi creates sustainable, affordable, nutritious meat alternatives – or plant-based proteins – with the potential of benefitting millions worldwide.
Dr. Sharma – a speaker at the Agri-food conference that was part of APF Canada’s Canada-in-Asia Conferences in Singapore in February – discusses the importance of food security in plant-based proteins, Canada’s connection as a ‘food basket’ brimming with the peas used in Shandi’s plant-based proteins, and the growing Asia business opportunities for other firms and entrepreneurs in this agri-food sector.
| CIAC 2024 | Climate Solutions
Asia Pacific Conversations: Opening Doors to Canada’s Greentech Opportunities in Asia
In this special episode of Asia Pacific Conversations, APF Canada’s Trade and Investment Program Manager Anastasia Ufimtseva chats with two international business leaders active in climate solutions bridging Canada and Asia. Chad Rickaby, Managing Partner at Greentech Asia (Singapore/Vancouver) and CEO of ClimateDoor (Vancouver), explains how Canadian businesses have a unique opportunity to prioritize a region looking for products and services where Canada has an advantage. Alex Hanly, CEO of Lithium Universe Limited (Australia), explains how his company is expanding its footprint in Quebec and the growing opportunities he sees for Canada’s lithium sector in the coming decade.
| CIAC 2023 | Climate Change
CIAC2023 Audio
Climate Change, Energy Security, and Environmental Protection
In this session, Canadians at the cutting edge of climate policy, finance, and biodiversity research will share their insights on opportunities for Canada to contribute to fostering an environmentally resilient Asia.
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| CIAC 2023 | Climate Change
Clean Tech and Climate Change: A Canadian Technology Focus
In this session experts and leaders in clean technology in Canada and Asia will discuss strategies to foster collaboration with local businesses and governments on the deployment of innovation and clean technologies to address climate change and foster sustainable development.
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| CIAC 2023 | Equitable & Inclusive Societies
CanWIN: International Ecosystem to Grow Women-owned Businesses
Panellists share their reasons for joining the Canadian Women’s International Network (CanWIN) and the benefits they have personally encountered through their participation in the network. They discuss the ways that an international ecosystem like CanWIN can help women entrepreneurs expand and grow their businesses globally, with an emphasis on trade between Canada and the Indo-Pacific.
| CIAC 2023 | Equitable & Inclusive Societies
Advancing Economic Inclusion Through Innovative Business Practices
Panellists present best business practices from their diverse global experiences that improve the economic inclusion of under-served and under-represented people, such as women, multi-ethnic and -religious communities, and Indigenous peoples.
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| CIAC 2023 | Food & Agriculture
Highlighting Innovative Food and Agriculture Research at Canadian Universities
Panellists discuss partnerships, technology, research, and new policies and practices as solutions to the intertwined challenges of food security, water security, and climate change, drawing on specific examples from leading institutions in Canada.
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| CIAC 2023 | Food & Agriculture
Advancing Canada-Asia Agri-food Cooperation
Panellists discuss how a multifaceted Canadian approach that integrates trade and investment, science and technology, and education can help establish Canada as a preferred partner in the Asia-Pacific region.
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| CIAC 2023 | Health
Breakout Session: Health
A high-level panel discussion featuring experts and academics on health.
| CIAC 2023 | Health
DNA to RNA: Excellence in Canadian Genomics and RNA Therapeutics
A high-level panel discussion featuring speakers curated by McGill University on Canadian genomics and RNA therapeutics.
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| CIAC 2023 | Higher Education Partnerships
Advancing Canada-Asia Higher Education Partnerships
Panellists present best business practices from their diverse global experiences on advancing higher education partnerships between Canada and the Asia-Pacific.
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The Canadian Advantage: Insights from Asian Business Leaders
​This session explores the investment journeys of leading Asian companies in Canada, focusing on opportunities and challenges that they faced in their internationalization.
In the News
Business in Vancouver
Agri-food, climate-tech lead Canada-in-Asia Conference
The conference, co-hosted by Vancouver-based Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) and Universities Canada, will take place Feb. 26-29 in Singapore with a focus this year on agri-food and climate solutions.
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“We … did a survey of [last year’s] participants where we asked them multiple-choice questions about what priority they would give to different sectors as themes for future conferences, and agri-food and climate came up at the top of their results,” said Jeff Nankivell, president and CEO of APF Canada.
The first Canada-in-Asia Conference last year attracted more than 500 attendees from Canada and Asia, and exceeded its target, according to Nankivell. He hopes this year’s event will continue to build awareness of Canada among Asian businesses, especially parts of Asia that Canadians haven’t explored.
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“We are hoping to achieve three things. One is to deepen and broaden the networks that connect people … across Asia who have an interest in Canada. The second objective is to showcase the best of what Canada has to offer in the [two] sectors for an influential audience of people based in Asia,” said Nankivell.
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“And the third thing is for Canadians to come to the conference, we want to expose them to thought leaders from across Asia in the sectors.”
The Globe and Mail
With wary eye on China, Ottawa leads business toward Southeast Asia
"Jeff Nankivell, chief executive of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, said that when his team began organizing the conference, it considered Hong Kong – home to one of the region’s largest Canadian expat populations and a key gateway to China – but a combination of factors, not least COVID-19 restrictions that were only lifted early this year, made Singapore more attractive.
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“There was enthusiasm for doing it in Singapore, for doing it in Southeast Asia,” he said. For many companies, “it’s not necessarily a case of getting out of China, but maybe shifting the balance in the portfolio to have a little less weight on China.”
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Mr. Nankivell, a three-decade foreign-service officer who was most-recently Canada’s consul-general in Hong Kong, said that while Canada has always had a very strong brand across the region, “it would be very common to hear ‘you know, we love Canada, but you don’t seem to be really present here.’ ”
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Mr. Nankivell welcomed the bullishness Canadian companies have for Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific, but acknowledged “stakeholders need to be as clear-eyed” about other countries “as I think they’ve learned to become about China.”
Business in Vancouver
Canada to make splash in Asia with largest conference of its kind in Singapore
Dubbed the “Canada-in-Asia” Conference,” the event – co-hosted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and Universities Canada – will aim to bring together 500 participants to Singapore’s Raffle City Convention Centre on Feb. 21-23, including some of the biggest names associated with Canada’s outreach in Asia over the last 30 years.
The conference is the largest public-private sector conference put on in the name of promoting Canada in the Indo-Canadian marketplace since at least 1988, said Asia Pacific Foundation President/CEO Jeff Nankivell.
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With Canada announcing its new Indo-Pacific Strategy late last year, there is more emphasis than ever of a renewed interest in diversifying to Southeast Asia and India. Singapore, Nankivell said, is located at the crossroads of both those regions and the traditional business strongholds in East Asia, allowing the maximum geographical spread of representatives to attend.
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“In my mind, the objective of this undertaking is fairly simple,” he said. “It’s to broaden and deepen networks for Canada across Asia – for universities, for the chambers of commerce. Membership should increase based on the opportunities here, and we will be checking in with groups afterwards to see if we’ve succeeded.”
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