Webinar : Unpacking the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA)
Sahita Institute | 20 November 2025
Webinar : Unpacking the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA)
Unpacking the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) : risk and threats of investor lawsuit to state for people, environment, and democracy.
ASEAN and Canada are currently negotiating ASEAN - Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA). This agreement is central for Canada to respond the current geopolitical situation, particularly in relation to competition for securing access to critical minerals.
One of key concerns of CSOs and Communities is the inclusion of the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism which has repeatedly been used by multinational corporations to sue governments over public interest policies including the ones aimed at protecting the environment, indigenous rights, and public health.
In light of this concern, there is a pressing need to raise awareness and build capacity among civil society organizations and grassroots communities across ASEAN and Canada to critically discuss and examine the ACAFTA process and content.
Indonesia CSO Coalition for Economic Justice, Focus on the Global South, FTA Watch Thailand, Third World Network, AFTINET, Transnational Institute, and Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives are hosting the webinar
