In our latest episode of CIAC Conversations, Maggie Gorman Vélez, Vice-President, Strategy, Regions and Policy at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), sits down with APF Canada’s Communications Director, Michael Roberts, at the sidelines of our fourth annual Canada-in-Asia Conference (CIAC2026) in Singapore in February.
Maggie discusses IDRC’s work supporting development, research, and science initiatives in the Indo-Pacific. She highlights the role of innovation as a “mechanism to achieve development outcomes,” how Canada can support research ecosystems in Asia, and how platforms like CIAC help drive development by providing spaces for collaboration and co-operation for stakeholders across the region.
The conversation also touches on how new technological advancements, like AI, are changing the research landscape and how Canada can leverage these technologies to advance bilateral and multilateral partnerships. Finally, Maggie looks ahead to consider how research institutions in Canada can partner with global actors to create sustainable, meaningful impact in underdeveloped communities in Asia.
This podcast was originally recorded in February 2026.
