Global Affairs Canada leads the country’s international development and humanitarian assistance, manages Canada’s diplomatic and consular relations, and promotes Canadian international trade.

In its 2024–2025 Departmental Plan, Canada aims to strengthen the rules-based international system; advance democratic principles, human rights, and gender equality; and promote biodiversity and climate action. Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy focuses on eradicating global poverty, advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, and dismantling discriminatory practices and structural barriers. The development assistance will support the poorest and most marginalized people, particularly women and girls in vulnerable situations, by promoting women’s equality, preventing sexual and gender-based violence, and defending sexual and reproductive health and rights. Canada will also address global food and nutrition needs, invest in climate change mitigation and adaptation, and prevent biodiversity loss in developing countries.

Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, released in November 2022, focuses on five interconnected objectives: (i) promoting peace, resilience, and security; (ii) expanding trade, investment, and supply chain resilience; (iii) investing in and connecting people; (iv) building a sustainable and green future; and (v) positioning Canada as an active and engaged partner in the Indo-Pacific. The strategy begins with an investment of almost Can$2.3 billion over the next 5 years.

In March 2024, Canada committed Can$360 million (approximately $267 million) to the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for Private Sector in Asia (CANPA), a single-donor trust fund established in 2024. CANPA will support private sector projects in Asia and the Pacific focused on climate and nature-based solutions while accelerating gender equity.

Canada is a founding member of ADB and has contributed $2.2 billion to ADB special funds since 1966. Of this commitment, $2.1 billion is for the Asian Development Fund (ADF). The ADF provides grants to ADB’s low-income developing member countries to help reduce poverty and improve quality of life.