April 19, 2023
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mlanie Joly, announced the nomination of Ian McKay as Canada's Special Envoy to the Indo-Pacific. Mr. McKay currently serves as Canada's Ambassador to Japan and will continue to do so.
The Special Envoy will provide advice to the Government of Canada, as well as work with Canada's network of diplomatic missions in the Indo-Pacific to ensure coordination of a whole-of-government approach and advance the strategic implementation of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy.
As Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific, he will contribute vast regional experience to the promotion of Canada's enhanced engagement and leadership in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Special Envoy will conduct high-level engagement with Canadians, and international stakeholders to identify new opportunities to expand cooperation in the region. He will spearhead high-level advocacy engagement with foreign governments and regional and multilateral organizations, as well as business leaders and civil society, in support of the Strategy.
The Indo-Pacific encompasses 40 countries and economies: Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pacific Island Countries (14), Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea (Korea), Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
Link: Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy