Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to embark on a significant diplomatic mission aimed at reinforcing Canada’s global partnerships in defence, trade, and investment. The visit will see Carney attend the 2026 NATO Summit in Türkiye before traveling to Saudi Arabia for high-level bilateral discussions with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, marking a renewed push to expand Canada’s international engagement.
Strengthening Canada’s Role at the NATO Summit
According to an official government statement, Prime Minister Carney will be in Ankara, Türkiye, from July 6 to 8 to participate in the 2026 NATO Summit, where leaders from the alliance’s 32 member nations will gather to discuss collective security and strategic priorities.
During the summit, Canada is expected to reaffirm its commitment to the alliance by enhancing its defence contributions, strengthening partnerships with allied nations, and supporting initiatives aimed at addressing evolving global security challenges. Discussions are also expected to focus on continued assistance for Ukraine and measures to bolster regional and international stability amid an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
The summit presents an opportunity for Canada to reinforce its position as a reliable NATO partner while exploring new avenues for defence cooperation with member states.
Historic Visit to Saudi Arabia
Following the NATO Summit, Carney will travel to Saudi Arabia from July 8 to 10 for bilateral meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit marks the first official trip to the Kingdom by a Canadian prime minister in 26 years, underscoring a renewed commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations.
The discussions are expected to focus on expanding collaboration across several strategic sectors, including energy, critical minerals, defence, infrastructure, and investment. Both countries will also explore opportunities to increase bilateral trade and attract greater two-way investment.
Priority industries for cooperation include mining, artificial intelligence, clean technology, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure development, and life sciences, reflecting shared ambitions to diversify economic partnerships and promote innovation-led growth.
Expanding Canada’s Global Partnerships
The visit comes as Canada seeks to strengthen its international presence through increased defence capabilities and broader economic engagement. By combining participation in the NATO Summit with a high-level visit to Saudi Arabia, the government aims to reinforce both its security commitments and its commercial partnerships.
Highlighting Canada’s evolving global strategy, Prime Minister Carney emphasized the country’s recent investments in national defence and its commitment to stronger international cooperation.
“Canada is rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces. We’ve delivered the largest increase in defence investment in a generation, we’ve met our NATO defence expenditure targets for the first time since the fall of the Berlin Wall, and we are building a dense web of new partnerships.”
He added that Canada’s leadership today is measured not only by its values but also by the strength of its capabilities, signalling a strategic approach that combines national security with expanded global economic partnerships.
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