The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, welcomed the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, to Canada from September 25 to 26, 2024. With stops in Ottawa, Ontario, and Montréal, Quebec, the visit helped further strengthen the close ties between our countries and advance our shared priorities.
The leaders announced three key declarations that will align Canada and France’s work to preserve peace and security, take ambitious climate action, protect the environment, and responsibly harness the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI).
The first of these three declarations, the Canada-France Declaration on a Stronger Defence and Security Partnership, underscores Canada and France’s steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal invasion. It also reaffirms our contributions to regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific and reflects our co-operation in managing emergencies, modernizing our armed forces, and combatting foreign interference.
The two leaders discussed shared, ongoing work to respond to the humanitarian situation in Haiti and reiterated their support for the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support mission in the country. Canada and France are in steadfast support of Haitian-led solutions to the conflict that will make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of the Haitian people – and build a better future.
Building on the progress made at the United Nations General Assembly and the Summit of the Future earlier this week, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron highlighted the critical importance of continued action to fight climate change and protect our oceans. In the Canada-France Declaration on the Ocean, the leaders underlined the vital role that oceans play for the environment, the climate, the economy, and food and energy security throughout the world. To advance our work, Prime Minister Trudeau announced Canada’s membership in the Paris Pact for People and the Planet. The Pact, led by France and in partnership with global leaders, emphasizes collective action to accelerate sustainable development and create opportunities to help lift vulnerable populations out of poverty.
During the visit, the Prime Minister and the President met with AI experts, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to discuss the risks and benefits of this new technology. Canada and France have world-leading AI ecosystems, including leadership roles in the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), which has 29 members worldwide. A testament to our progress in growing a dynamic AI industry, GPAI’s first two centres of expertise opened in Canada and France. Moving forward on this work, the Prime Minister and the President announced the Canada-France Declaration on Artificial Intelligence. The Declaration reiterates our countries’ commitment to a safe use of AI that respects human rights and democratic values.
During President Macron’s visit, Canada was also named Country of the Year for the Viva Technology 2025 technology conference, which will be held in Paris next year. At this event, Canada’s delegation will collaborate with the international community and meet with thousands of visionary start-ups, investors, organizations, and researchers to leverage advances in AI to strengthen our economy, increase productivity, and create new opportunities for Canadians. SCALE AI, Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster dedicated to AI, will lead Canada’s business delegation.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron reaffirmed their commitment to promoting the French language and La Francophonie’s institutions ahead of the next Sommet de la Francophonie, which will be held in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris, France, on October 4 and 5, 2024. They also renewed their commitment to strengthening strategic coordination in preparation for the successive G7 Presidencies that Canada and France will hold, in 2025 and 2026 respectively.
Quote“Canada and France’s relationship is built on shared history, a common language, and democratic values. President Macron’s visit to Canada is a testament to the enduring friendship between our two countries, and with the progress we have made over this visit, we will move forward to build a fairer and more prosperous future for our peoples.”— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts

This was President Macron’s second visit to Canada. It followed both leaders’ participation in the United Nations General Assembly and Summit of the Future in New York City, United States of America.
As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the G7 and the G20, a founding member of the European Union, and a key partner in the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, France is a key ally for Canada on the international stage.
In 2023, France was Canada’s third largest merchandise export market in the European Union, and its 12th largest trade partner globally, with two-way merchandise trade totalling $12.9 billion.
That same year, Canadian exports to France amounted to $4.3 billion, while imports from France totalled $8.7 billion.
In France, Canada is represented by an embassy in Paris and consulates in Lyon, Nice, and Toulouse. France is represented in Canada by its embassy in Ottawa and consulates in Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal, Québec, and Moncton.

Related Products

Joint statement by Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron
Canada-France Declaration on a Stronger Defence and Security Partnership
Canada-France Declaration on the Ocean
Canada-France Declaration on Artificial Intelligence

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Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR), the largest global provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions, today announced that MC Digital Realty: A Mitsubishi Corporation and Digital Realty Company, has been awarded Frost & Sullivan’s 2024 Company of the Year award for Japan’s data center services industry.
MC Digital Realty is at the forefront of the market, delivering advanced technologies and strategic investments that provide Japanese businesses with secure, innovative, and sustainable infrastructure that enables artificial intelligence (AI) innovation.
MC Digital Realty’s state-of-the-art data centers are optimized for AI, offer the necessary flexibility and scalability for intensive model training and real-time inferencing, and provide advanced liquid cooling systems that ensure optimal performance for demanding AI tasks. Demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, MC Digital Realty leverages its relationship with Mitsubishi Corporation to prioritize energy efficiency, matching electricity usage in its colocation data halls with 100% renewable energy to minimize its carbon footprint.
Frost & Sullivan also recognized MC Digital Realty’s operational excellence. The company’s robust network of resilient data centers is strategically located in low-seismic regions and employs cutting-edge seismic isolation technology to protect its infrastructure, ensuring uninterrupted service and maximum reliability.
MC Digital Realty’s data centers also leverage the power of PlatformDIGITAL®, Digital Realty’s global data center platform. It provides customers access to a vast ecosystem of over 1,100 cloud and IT services, as well as 1,200 network services across 300+ data centers in 50+ metros worldwide.
“The company demonstrates a strong focus on the Japanese market through its continued investments. Strategic partnerships and innovations aligning with transforming customer expectations enable the service provider to achieve success in the country,” said Nishchal Khorana, Global Vice President of ICT at Frost & Sullivan.
Serene Nah, Digital Realty’s Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific, said: “We are honored to receive the award and recognition from Frost & Sullivan, which validates MC Digital Realty’s commitment to serving partners and customers as they accelerate their AI innovation journeys in Japan. As AI continues to shape the future, Digital Realty remains committed to optimizing data center infrastructure for peak workload performance, and to meet the highest standards of innovation, while ensuring sustainability, security, and resilience.”
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With the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly underway, The Rockefeller Foundation announced that it will be hosting AsiaXchange 2024 next week (October 1-3, 2024) in Bangkok, Thailand. With the theme, “Accelerating Asia’s Equitable Green Transformation: Taking a Systems Approach for Climate Action,” the event aims to explore how countries, businesses, and communities can come together to build a sustainable, low-carbon future for the region. AsiaXchange 2024 will feature practical discussions on harnessing a systems approach, driven by synergies between individuals, communities, governments, the private sector, and financiers, to foster a green and resilient Asia.
“Asia is at the center of global climate action,” said Deepali Khanna, Vice President of the Asia Regional Office at The Rockefeller Foundation. “With AsiaXchange 2024, we’re bringing together Asian financiers, policymakers, solutions providers, and leaders of frontline communities to share ideas, form partnerships, and find the solutions we need to secure a green, resilient future for all.”
AsiaXchange 2024 also comes at a key moment as the region prepares for COP29, where Asia’s climate agenda will take center stage. This year’s AsiaXchange event will explore how Asia can lead the charge with innovative solutions and partnerships to meet its climate commitments. Speakers and attendees from across Asia and the world will address key issues such as: How can we unite to create momentum for Asia’s equitable green transformation? How can we drive climate efforts anchored in a people-first approach and systemic collaboration? How can we mobilize domestic, regional, and international finance that works for Asia?
“Asia can demonstrate to the rest of the world how to achieve development with sustainability,” said Elizabeth Yee, Executive Vice President for Programs at The Rockefeller Foundation. “AsiaXchange 2024 will help us strengthen partnerships capable of scaling practical, people-centered climate solutions across the region.”
Key speakers at AsiaXchange 2024 will include Albert Park, Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank; Beverley Postma, Executive Director at Grow Asia; Dr. Phirun Saiyasitpanich, Director General of Climate Change and Environment for the Government of Thailand; Ho Ren Hua, CEO of Thai Wah Public Company; Lin Yang, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific; Pooja Warier Hamilton, Chief Partnerships Officer at Apolitical; Rajat Misra, Acting Vice President and Director-General at AIIB; Sanjay Mathur, Regional Director for Asia Region at UNOPS; Ujala Qadir, Director of Strategy and Programs at Climate Bonds Initiative; and Vivek Pathak, former Global Head of Climate Change at IFC.
Highlights for AsiaXchange 2024 include:

Aspirations vs. Reality: Decoding Green & Resilient Growth in Asia: Regional experts will discuss the challenges and opportunities of achieving net-zero emissions in Asia, exploring how policy, technology, and finance can collaborate to drive a sustainable transition.
Solving the Solutions Trilemma: Inclusivity, Affordability, and Scalability: This session will explore the need for climate solutions that are not only green but also inclusive and affordable. Discussions will focus on how global strategies and local actions can come together to create scalable solutions that benefit the most vulnerable communities across Asia.
Youth Voices for Climate Action: A session featuring young leaders from across Asia championing climate action. TED-style talks and intergenerational dialogues will highlight youth-driven initiatives making a difference in the region.
Scaling Local Investments for Climate Action: Experts will discuss the role of charitable/impactful blended finance in accelerating climate adaptation and mitigation, focusing on key sectors like sustainable land use, clean energy, and infrastructure to mobilize local capital.
Billions and Trillions: Closing the Climate Finance Gap: With an annual shortfall of $800 billion in climate financing for Asia, this session will dive into how the region can mobilize both public and private capital to close the gap. Experts will discuss innovative financial structures like green bonds, catalytic capital, and the role of development banks in bridging the finance gap.
Multiplying Inclusive and Sustainable Business Models: This session explores how inclusive business models contribute to Asia’s green transformation, with discussions on scaling green businesses and promoting sustainability through policy actions.
Regional Partnerships for Climate Ambitions: Focusing on collaboration between countries in Asia, this session will highlight successful partnerships and the importance of shared knowledge and resources in meeting ambitious climate goals.
AI and Climate Action: Future of Technology in Asia: A deep dive into how artificial intelligence can support climate action, particularly in sectors like agriculture and disaster response. The session will explore both opportunities and challenges in using AI for sustainable development.

The 2023 AsiaXchange kicked off in New Delhi, India, where over 150 global leaders gathered to discuss The Rockefeller Foundation’s new climate strategy. The event focused on identifying key opportunities for climate action across Asia. The success of the event has set the tone for AsiaXchange 2024 in Bangkok, where the conversation will expand even further.
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