Canada-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed positive relations for over 50 years. Canada and Saudi Arabia share common interests in economic growth and diversification, regional and international security, global peace, and counterterrorism.
As the only member of the G20 from the Arab world, Saudi Arabia is an integral and valued regional security and economic partner, both for Canada and key allies.
Saudi Arabia is a leader of the Arab and Muslim worlds, as evidenced by its leadership role in the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), headquartered in Jeddah, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia retains global importance as the Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques (Mecca and Medina) and is the religious home of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims. Every year, thousands of Canadians are among the millions of Muslims who perform the annual hajj, or pilgrimage, to Mecca.
Saudi Arabia is the world’s leading oil exporter, and as of 2023, the second largest oil producer behind the United States. Saudi Arabia holds approximately 17% of the world’s known crude oil reserves. As such, the Kingdom plays a key role in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the broader OPEC+ and has considerable influence on the global economy.
Canada values its relationship with Saudi Arabia and the positive inter-institutional collaboration between both countries, which has been further strengthened by a significant number of high-level engagements including calls and visits to Canada and Saudi Arabia, at head of government and ministerial levels.
In Saudi Arabia, Canada is represented by the Embassy of Canada to Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh, and has an Honorary Consul in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia is represented in Canada by an Embassy in Ottawa.
The Canadian population in Saudi Arabia is increasing rapidly. It jumped from 13,000 in 2022 to 15,000 in 2024.
Trade relations
Trade and economic interests continue to be an important facet of Canada's bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia. In 2024, Saudi Arabia was Canada’s largest two-way trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa region. Merchandise trade between Canada and Saudi Arabia in 2024 was approximately $4.1 billion, with $2 billion exports from Canada and $2.1 billion imports to Canada. Top Canadian exports to Saudi Arabia included aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, pharmaceuticals, as well as industrial machinery and equipment. Meanwhile, energy products accounted for over 97% of Canadian imports from Saudi Arabia in 2024.
Canadian companies are well positioned to grow in other sectors of the Saudi economy, in line with the Kingdom’s economic diversification goals.
Many of the Canadians living in Saudi Arabia work in Canadian and Saudi companies and institutions. This dynamic expatriate community is active in the Kingdom and helps to advance both countries’ mutual interests.
In 2016, Saudi Arabia launched Vision 2030, a large scale economic and social development plan to diversify its economy, develop its public sector and create job opportunities. This domestic agenda aims to develop new sectors such as mining, manufacturing, logistics, tourism and entertainment. It also includes the launch of mega infrastructure projects from industrial complexes to smart cities.
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Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Saudi Arabia work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
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