Year‑End Message from the Chair & President of the Canada Arab Congress on MENA Relations (CACMR)

As 2025 comes to a close, Canada’s engagement with the Middle East and North Africa has strengthened on multiple fronts — through deepened diplomatic ties, strategic partnerships, and an expanded role in regional cooperation. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, this year marked an important chapter in advancing Canada’s relations with MENA partners built on dialogue, mutual interests and shared opportunities.

In June 2025, Canada welcomed His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, for a high‑level visit to Ottawa. Hosted by Minister Anand, this engagement reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between Canada and the UAE and laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation across trade, investment, innovation, and people‑to‑people ties. 

Later in the year, Prime Minister Mark Carney undertook a landmark visit to Abu Dhabi — the first by a sitting Canadian prime minister since 1983 — to strengthen bilateral relations at the highest level. During his meetings with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Canada and the UAE signed a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) and launched negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at expanding trade, reducing barriers and opening new avenues for Canadian exporters and investors. 

A signature outcome of this visit was the announcement that the UAE will invest up to $70 billion in Canada’s economy — one of the largest foreign direct investment commitments in Canadian history. This historic pledge, covering sectors such as critical minerals, energy, artificial intelligence and infrastructure, underscores global confidence in Canada’s economic potential and represents a significant step forward in a strategic economic partnership that will generate jobs, fuel innovation and strengthen economic resilience.

Across these engagements, Canadian ministers and officials also advanced collaboration with other MENA partners on initiatives in technology, development cooperation, aviation connectivity and humanitarian support, reflecting a broadening of Canada’s substantive engagement in the region.

The Canada Arab Congress on Middle East and North Africa Relations welcomes these developments and the proactive role Canada has taken in promoting dialogue, stability and shared prosperity. We also recognize the significance of Canada’s foreign policy decisions this year, including the formal recognition of the State of Palestine — a historic decision articulated by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. This step reflects Canada’s enduring commitment to a negotiated two‑state solution, respect for international law and support for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.

As we look toward 2026, CACMR remains committed to supporting informed discourse, deepening bilateral and multilateral engagement and facilitating cooperation that advances peace, mutual understanding and shared opportunities between Canada and the Middle East and North Africa.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our members, partners and collaborators for their continued trust and engagement. Together, we will build on these accomplishments and further strengthen the bonds between Canada and the MENA region.

With warm regards,

Abdullatif Al‑Shaikh
Chair & President
Canada Arab Congress on Middle East and North Africa Relations (CACMR)