"We know what needs doing and the fact that you are in this room means that you are already doing it," Nankivell said in his speech at the 2026 Canada in Asia Conference (CIAC) on Tuesday.
He noted that the world is entering "uncharted territory," requiring countries to act collectively.
Nankivell highlighted that in early February, Canada became the first country threatened with sweeping tariffs by the new Donald Trump administration.
He quoted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s warning: "If you are not at the table, you may be on the menu."
Nankivell described the CIAC2026 forum as a "common table" to build new partnerships in the face of an uncertain future.
APF Canada hosted the fourth annual Canada-in-Asia Conference in Singapore from February 10-11, 2026.
The forum brought together over 500 participants including senior business leaders, investors, policymakers, researchers, and innovators, to exchange perspectives, knowledge, and ideas, with the goal of facilitating collaborative partnerships and increasing bilateral trade and investment in today’s fast-changing global landscape.
CIAC2026 focused on three shared priorities – food security, energy security, and infrastructure – and explored the cross-cutting themes of geopolitics, investment, and technology, where global challenges and emerging opportunities will be viewed through a collaborative Canada–Asia lens.
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Translator: Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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