REGIONS OF THE WORLD

Asia-Pacific
Canada has strong historic and social ties to the Asia-Pacific region. Our position as a leader in telecommunications, transportation, natural resources and education makes us a unique partner to meet many of the region's growing needs, as well as acting as a foundation for mutually satisfying cultural exchanges. Our shared interests cross all areas of human activities, from art to sport, from business to technology, and from the environment to trade. Canada is a member of several Asia-Pacific multilateral organizations which work to achieve mutual political, economic and social goals.

Europe
Europe is traditionally the origin of many of our forebears and now one of Canada's largest trade and investment partners. We are natural allies on a variety of issues. This foundation allows us to work closely together with the countries of greater Europe, including certain Central Asian states, to promote our industries, our technology and our shared values. We are linked though the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and other organizations.

Latin America and the Caribbean
We are connected to our hemispheric neighbours by a sense of shared values and a recognition of our potential. Through initiatives such as the Summit of the Americas and the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), Canada is working to promote prosperity, democracy and trade with our North American partners and all other countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Middle East and North Africa
The achievement of enduring peace in the Middle East is an important goal for Canada and Canadians. Our involvement in international peacekeeping efforts in the Middle East dates back almost 50 years and includes Lester B. Pearson's Nobel Peace Prize-winning efforts during the Suez Crisis in 1956. More recently, Canada has been a significant contributor to assistance programs in the Middle East and North Africa to alleviate poverty and respond to emergency situations.

Sub-Saharan Africa
Canada's fundamental interest in sub-Saharan Africa is to help reverse the region's social and economic marginalisation from the rest of the world. This marginalisation has had grave effects on all indices of African human development, peace and security, and governance.

United States
The links between Canada and the United States are deep and diverse. We share a long tradition of cooperation in fighting together for freedom, and a renewed commitment to building a "smart" border that will ensure the free and secure flow of goods and people so vital to our economies. Our trading relationship is the largest and most comprehensive in the world. We are also working together to protect our shared water, air and wildlife.