09 August 2023, Ottawa –  Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria joined other ASEAN Heads of Missions in celebrating ASEAN Day at the Embassy of Indonesia. Global Affairs Canada’s Associate Deputy Minister Cindy Termorshuizen attended the celebrations as Chief Guest, along with other officials from Global Affairs Canada, representatives of other Government Departments, and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

In her statement, High Commissioner Datin Paduka Siti Hajjar Adnin of Malaysia, in her role as the current Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Ottawa, remarked on the increasing and expanding partnership of ASEAN and Canada across political, economic, and people-to-people ties. Associate Deputy Minister Termorshuizen highlighted the consensus to elevate ASEAN-Canada relations to a Strategic Partnership, as well as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s intended participation at the upcoming ASEAN-Canada Summit in September 2023.

The ASEAN Committee in Ottawa is composed of the Embassies and High Commissions in Ottawa of ASEAN Member States and works to promote ASEAN's interests and identity in Canada.