Canada News Centre2026-06-22T13:36:56-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/news.htmlhttps://www.canada.ca/etc/designs/canada/wet-boew/assets/wmms-blk.svghttps://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2026/06/biographical-note--mazen-mahfouz.html

Mazen Mahfouz (BSc [Economics], University of Ottawa, 2000; MBA, University of Quebec in Montréal, 2005) started his career with Export Development Canada (1999 to 2004) and then worked at the Canadian International Development Agency (2004 to 2006). He joined Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in 2006. At Headquarters, he has worked as a regional manager in International Financial Operations and as a trade commissioner with the Trade Commissioner Service’s Support Division. From 2008 to 2011, he opened Global Affairs Canada’s regional office in Victoria, B.C., and served as head of office. He has also worked as deputy director for Mexico Policy Relations in the North America Policy and Relations Division. Overseas, he served as commercial counsellor in Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua (2012 to 2015), commercial counsellor in Peru and Bolivia (2015 to 2019) and, most recently, commercial economic counsellor in Spain and Andorra (2021 to 2026).

Global Affairs Canada2026-06-23T09:00:00-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2026/06/announcement-of-new-diplomatic-appointment.html

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointment:

Global Affairs Canada2026-06-22T13:16:47-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2025/08/secretary-of-state-sarai-concludes-trip-to-strengthen-ties-with-peru-and-colombia.html

Canada’s close relationship with Peru, Colombia and, more broadly, South America, is key to advancing economic security, democratic values and climate resilience.

Global Affairs Canada2025-08-13T09:11:25-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2025/08/project-announcements-by-secretary-of-state-sarai-in-peru-and-colombia.html

The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), announced that the Government of Canada will provide $77.6 million to fulfill the following projects in Peru and Colombia.

Global Affairs Canada2025-08-13T09:04:30-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2025/05/minister-sidhu-meets-with-the-president-of-ecuador-to-advance-trade-priorities.html

Minister Sidhu announced a package of new international assistance initiatives.

Global Affairs Canada2025-05-24T21:29:12-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2025/05/minister-sidhu-advances-canadas-trade-priorities-in-ecuador.html

The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade congratulated Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa on his election and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to expanding trade and investment between the two countries.

Global Affairs Canada2025-05-24T21:29:04-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2025/05/joint-statement-recognizing-the-conclusion-of-substantive-negotiations-for-a-canada-ecuador-fta.html

The Canada-Ecuador FTA marks a significant step forward in strengthening our bilateral relations governed by shared values, including our commitment to an open, inclusive, and rules-based international trading system.

Global Affairs Canada2025-05-24T19:36:55-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2025/05/minister-sidhu-advances-trade-and-represents-canada-in-ecuador.html

The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, will represent the Government of Canada in Quito at the inauguration of President Daniel Noboa.

Global Affairs Canada2025-05-23T10:53:43-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2025/02/minister-ng-welcomes-the-successful-conclusion-of-free-trade-agreement-negotiations-between-canada-and-ecuador.html

The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, today announced the successful conclusion of free trade agreement negotiations between Canada and Ecuador.

Global Affairs Canada2025-02-04T17:19:17-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/06/joint-statement-in-support-of-the-international-criminal-court.html

“As States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), we uphold that the Court, its officials and staff shall carry out their professional duties as international civil servants without intimidation. In line with the May 17, 2024, press release of the President of the Assembly of States Parties and the May 3, 2024, statement by the Office of the Prosecutor, we reconfirm our unwavering support for the Court as an independent and impartial judicial institution.

Global Affairs Canada2024-06-15T11:57:37-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/05/canada-announces-funding-for-biodiversity-initiative-in-latin-america-and-caribbean.html

Conserva Aves will help members of communities, particularly women, Indigenous people and Afro-descendant people, conserve more than 2 million hectares of land spanning a variety of biodiverse ecosystems in 100 key sites across the Latin American and Caribbean region.

Global Affairs Canada2024-05-22T20:00:00-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/04/statement-regarding-ecuadors-unauthorized-entry-into-embassy-of-mexico.html

“Canadian officials have reviewed in detail the footage of the unauthorized entry by Ecuadorian authorities into the Embassy of Mexico in Quito on April 5 that was a clear violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations..."

Global Affairs Canada2024-04-11T15:12:34-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/03/minister-ng-meets-with-americas-partnership-for-economic-prosperity-trade-ministers.html

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, met with her APEP counterparts to discuss ways to deepen regional economic integration and develop sustainable, inclusive approaches to trade and investment.

Global Affairs Canada2024-03-18T19:56:09-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/03/minister-hussen-announces-negotiations-of-sovereign-loan-to-ecuador.html

Canada and Ecuador have maintained official bilateral relations since 1960, with shared values including inclusive economic growth, biodiversity and climate protection. Canada remains committed in supporting Ecuador and its goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector under the Paris Agreement.

Global Affairs Canada2024-03-04T16:00:08-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/02/backgrounder--minister-hussen-announces-245-million-in-funding-for-international-youth-internship-program.html

The International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) gives young people in Canada the opportunity to gain international experience, skills and knowledge, which help to prepare them for the future. Six IYIP internship projects, part of the program’s 2023 to 2029 iteration, were announced by the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, on February 6, 2024.

Global Affairs Canada2024-02-06T13:15:08-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/02/minister-ng-meets-with-sonsoles-garcia-ecuadors-minister-of-production-foreign-trade-investment-and-fisheries.html

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, met virtually with Sonsoles García, Ecuador’s Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries.

Global Affairs Canada2024-02-01T15:00:42-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2023/06/minister-ng-meets-with-julio-jose-prado-ecuadors-minister-of-production-foreign-trade-investments-and-fisheries.html

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, met virtually with Julio José Prado, Ecuador’s Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries.

Global Affairs Canada2023-06-19T11:37:58-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2023/05/minister-ng-celebrates-ecuador-and-costa-rica-for-advancing-womens-economic-empowerment.html

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, participated in a virtual signing ceremony to officially welcome Costa Rica and Ecuador to the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement (GTAGA) and the Inclusive Trade Action Group (ITAG).

Global Affairs Canada2023-05-15T21:12:36-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2023/01/minister-ng-to-participate-in-the-launch-of-the-americas-partnership-for-economic-prosperity.html

The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, will join United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai to launch the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP).

Global Affairs Canada2023-01-26T18:36:46-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2023/01/minister-ng-launches-public-consultations-on-trade-negotiations-with-ecuador.html

Canada is committed to diversifying its trade and investment ties and promoting open, inclusive, and rules-based international trade. In line with this commitment, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, today announced the launch of public consultations on a potential free trade agreement between Canada and Ecuador.

Global Affairs Canada2023-01-06T15:02:34-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/11/minister-ng-launches-exploratory-talks-toward-free-trade-agreement-between-canada-and-ecuador.html

Today, at the Pacific Alliance Summit in Mexico, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, and Julio José Prado, Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries of Ecuador, launched exploratory talks toward a potential free trade agreement between Canada and Ecuador.

Global Affairs Canada2022-11-24T12:05:36-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/08/announcement-of-new-diplomatic-appointments.html

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointments:

Global Affairs Canada2022-08-04T11:18:12-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/08/biographical-notes.html

Biographical notes

Global Affairs Canada2022-08-04T11:18:05-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/04/minister-ng-speaks-with-ecuadors-minister-of-production-foreign-trade-investments-and-fisheries.html

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, spoke with Julio José Prado, Ecuador’s Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries.

Global Affairs Canada2022-04-08T15:02:02-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/03/minister-sajjan-wraps-up-canadas-together-for-learning-summit-on-education-for-displaced-children-and-youth.html

Through meaningful engagement and by working together, youth leaders, government officials, members of civil society organizations and global education stakeholders can drive progress in global, national and local responses to refugee education.

Global Affairs Canada2022-03-31T14:59:34-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/03/minister-sajjan-announces-672-million-to-support-education-for-displaced-children-and-youth-as-canada-hosts-together-for-learning-summit.html

The current crisis in Ukraine has so far resulted in more than 3.9 million refugees. This is just the latest of the many crises disrupting education for millions of displaced youth worldwide. Canada recognizes that conflict and instability, including the COVID-19 pandemic, can destroy and disrupt lives and jeopardize the futures of children and youth.

Global Affairs Canada2022-03-30T08:34:14-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/03/canada-announces-funding-for-education-projects.html

Canada has announced $67.2 million in development assistance funding for projects supporting the education of children and youth experiencing forced displacement.

Global Affairs Canada2022-03-30T08:33:32-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2021/11/government-of-canada-announces-adjustments-to-canadas-border-measures.html

The Government of Canada will adjust some of Canada’s border measures beginning on Nov. 30 to include additional COVID-19 vaccines accepted for entry to Canada and changes to certain exemptions, testing and ArriveCAN requirements.

Public Health Agency of Canada2022-02-04T10:31:23-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/08/joint-declaration-of-support-for-democratic-transition-in-venezuela.html

We, a group of concerned countries including members of the Lima Group, the International Contact Group, the European Union, the United States, and others, call upon all Venezuelans, of all ideological tendencies and party affiliations, whether civilian or military, to put the interests of Venezuela above politics and engage urgently in support of a process shaped and driven by Venezuelans to establish an inclusive transitional government that will lead the country into free and fair presidential elections, sooner not later.

Global Affairs Canada2021-10-18T12:46:56-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/05/statement-on-protecting-sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights-and-promoting-gender-responsiveness-in-the-covid-19-crisis.html

Humanity is confronted with the unprecedented threat of COVID-19. Around the world, the pandemic is having a devastating impact on health systems, economies and the lives, livelihood and wellbeing of all, particularly older people. Responding effectively to this fast-growing pandemic requires solidarity and cooperation among all governments, scientists, civil society actors and the private sector.

Global Affairs Canada2020-06-03T15:52:57-04:00