Canada: Canada is set to provide 1.7 million Canadian dollars, approximately PHP74.5 million, to aid communities in the Philippines in protecting children from exploitation and recruitment by criminal and terrorist networks. This announcement was part of a series of financial aid declarations made by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post-Ministerial Conference with Canada in Pasay City on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Canadian government has committed to bolstering security priorities through its strategic partnership with ASEAN. This includes enhancing maritime security, cybersecurity, and addressing transnational crimes such as cyber-enabled fraud and drug trafficking. Minister Anand emphasized the deepening engagement over the past three years and pledged continued support in these critical areas.

In addition to the funding for child protection in the Philippines, Canada will allocate 4.5 million Canadian dollars to strengthen non-proliferation and biosecurity capabilities in the region. Furthermore, 490,000 Canadian dollars will be dedicated to supporting women's leadership during the Philippine chairmanship. Other initiatives include a 217,000 Canadian dollars project with Laos to combat money laundering and fraud, and 455,000 Canadian dollars to enhance fair recruitment systems for migrant workers across the region.

Anand highlighted the interconnected nature of Canada's prosperity and security with the developments in the Indo-Pacific region. At the meeting, ASEAN and Canadian ministers underscored the need for enhanced cooperation in areas such as maritime, food, cyber, and energy security. They also acknowledged the 23 percent growth in ASEAN-Canada bilateral merchandise trade over the past year, reaching USD52.4 billion, and expressed optimism that the new ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action will further promote economic collaboration.