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Following its successful relaunch in Ottawa in October 2024, the �ʹ�����’s Asia-Pacific Heads of Missions Forum returned to campus last week for a one-day event focused on enhancing diplomatic relations and promoting collaboration. The gathering brought together representatives from 13 Asia-Pacific countries to discuss key issues, including Canadian politics and policy, international relations, educational collaboration, and �ʹ�����’s global engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.

“This event provides a vital venue for frank discussion among global leaders on critical issues, allowing us to learn more about the educational and research priorities of countries in the Asia-Pacific region,” says Sandra den Otter, Vice-Provost (Global Engagement). “It also helps raise �ʹ�����’s profile with the diplomatic community as a leader in higher education and fosters strong relationships that benefit all aspects of the university's mission, including international student recruitment.”

The Asia-Pacific Heads of Mission group includes the following countries: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. Among the guests were sixteen ambassadors, high commissioners, a chargé d'affaires, and senior diplomatic staffs from these nations.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane hosted attendees at a lunch discussion at Benidickson House. After lunch, the group moved to Ban Righ Hall for a panel discussion on the recent Canadian election, featuring �ʹ�����’s political studies experts Professor Elizabeth Goodyear-Grant, and Professor Emeritus Kim Nossal who offered insights from both domestic and global perspectives. Participants engaged the panelists on topics such as Canadian party politics, federal-provincial relations, Canada-U.S. economic, political, and security relations, sustainability, and Canada’s broader positioning in the context of global dynamics.

“This forum has been of great importance to �ʹ�����’s for so many years, so it is a pleasure to welcome our distinguished guests back to campus,” says Principal Deane. “The gathering supports our efforts to create a lasting global impact and advances our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by fostering strong partnerships that enhance peace, justice, and strong institutions.”

The last �ʹ�����’s Asia-Pacific Heads of Missions Forum held on the �ʹ�����’s campus took place in 2019 after which the twice-annual event was interrupted by the global pandemic. Originally launched in 2003, the event returned last fall when it was relaunched by �ʹ�����'s and hosted by the Thai Ambassador to Canada at the Thai Official Residence in Ottawa.

The event continues to be an important part of the university’s strategies for government relations and partnership development, as outlined in the �ʹ�����’s Global Engagement Strategic Plan.