Good afternoon, everyone.
I call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 18 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the committee is meeting on Canada's Africa strategy.
Today’s meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
Before we continue, I would like to ask all in-person participants to consult the guidelines written on the cards on the table. These measures are in place to help prevent audio and feedback incidents, and to protect the health and safety of all participants.
I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and members.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mic, and please mute yourself when you are not speaking.
For those on Zoom, at the bottom of your screen, you can make the appropriate selection of channel for interpretation: floor, English or French.
For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
I remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair.
For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand.
For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can, and we appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
I would now like to welcome our witnesses for the first hour.
From the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, we have His Excellency Ben Marc Diendéré, ambassador, permanent observer to the African Union and Canada’s special envoy for Africa, who is joining us today by video conference.
We have, in person, Ryan Clark, director general, central, southern and eastern Africa bureau; as well as Susan Steffen, director general, west Africa and Maghreb bureau.
Up to five minutes will be given for opening remarks, after which we will proceed with rounds of questions.
I now invite His Excellency Ben Marc Diendéré to make an opening statement.
Welcome.