Image - Canadian flag

San Francisco

A New Horizon of Opportunity: Canada in the Indo-Pacific

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The Indo-Pacific is rapidly becoming the global center of economic dynamism and strategic challenge. Encompassing 40 economies, more than 4 billion people and more than one-third of all economic activity worldwide—what happens in the region will play a critical role in shaping the future of the international order.

Recognizing the importance of the Indo-Pacific region to global peace and prosperity and Canada’s national interests, the government of Canada released in November 2022 its own long-anticipated Indo-Pacific Strategy. This long-term plan includes ambitious, interconnected objectives to promote peace, resilience and security; expand trade, investment and supply chain resilience; invest in and connect people; and build a sustainable and green future.

As a Pacific nation, Canada shares 25,000 kilometers (more than 15,000 miles) of Pacific coastline, robust trading relationships with economies across the region, deep people-to-people ties and a rich history of cultural exchange. Through its Indo-Pacific Strategy, funded by an initial investment of $2.3 billion over five years, Canada will work to further deepen relationships with regional partners that have been built through decades of government, private sector, security and civil society cooperation, and advance Canada’s overarching priority to be an active, engaged and reliable partner in the Indo-Pacific.

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion examining the role and significance of Canada’s enhanced engagement in building a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable Indo-Pacific region. Rana Sarkar, Canada’s consul general in San Francisco, and Yves Tiberghien, professor of political science, Konwakai Chair in Japanese Research, and director of the Center for Japanese Research at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, will hold a fireside chat exploring this new horizon of opportunity, as well as the importance of the Bay Area as an international cultural, commercial and financial hub and vital gateway to the Indo-Pacific region.

MLF Organizer
Ian McCuaig
Notes

This program has 2 types of tickets available: In-person and online-only. For online viewing, pre-register to receive a link to the live-stream event.

Safety Protocols for in-person attendance:

  • We follow best practices laid out by the CDC and state and local guidelines.
  • We strongly recommend vaccination for guests, staff, and volunteers.
  • Masks are strongly encouraged while indoors (if you do not have one and would like one, inquire at our front desk for a complimentary mask).
  • We reserve the right to require different rules for specific events as necessary.

Our LEED Gold-certified building is designed to cool with outside air, using digitally controlled moveable windows and large ceiling fans. We are deploying additional HEPA filters inside to scrub the air. This is all in addition to increased cleaning of surfaces throughout the building.

We welcome donations made during registration to support the production of our online programming.

An Asia-Pacific Affairs Member-led Forum program. Forums at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. Learn more about our Forums.

Speaker photos courtesy the speakers.

All ticket sales are final and nonrefundable.

Thu, Mar 30 / 5:30 pm PDT

The Commonwealth Club of California
110 The Embarcadero
Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium
San Francisco, CA 94105
United States

Speakers
Image - Rana Sarkar

Rana Sarkar

Consul General of Canada in San Francisco

Image - Yves Tiberghien

Yves Tiberghien

Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, Konwakai Chair in Japanese Research, and Director of the Center for Japanese Research, University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada)

Image - Ian McCuaig

Ian McCuaig

Chair, Asia-Pacific Affairs Member-led Forum, The Commonwealth Club of California—Moderator

Format

5 p.m. doors open & check-in
5:30–6:30 p.m. program
6:30–7:30 p.m. reception with wine and hors d'oeuvres
(all times PDT)