Canada-Uruguay relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada and Uruguay established diplomatic relations in 1948. Bilateral relations between Canada and Uruguay are built upon shared values and interests, such as respect for democracy and human rights, gender equality, upholding the rule of law, respect for the environment, support for multilateral institutions, and the importance of open and inclusive trade.
Uruguay is a strong and stable democracy, that successfully balances social and economic priorities, with a low corruption rate and good democratic governance. The country’s literacy rate of 98% underscores its focus on education and inclusion, including with a national program ensuring “one laptop per child” since 2012. It also ranked first in the Latin America and Caribbean region on Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perception Index. Like Canada, Uruguay has progressive legislation. It legalized abortion (2012), same-sex marriage (2012) and the possession of cannabis for personal use (2013).
Canada and Uruguay share a dynamic francophone culture. In 2012, Uruguay became the first South American country to obtain an observer status in the .
In Uruguay, Canada is represented by the Embassy of Canada in Montevideo. Uruguay is represented in Canada by the , and Consulates in Toronto and Montreal.
People to-people ties
Canada and Uruguay’s bilateral relationship is built on a growing network of people to-people ties, amplified through educational exchanges, commerce, culture and tourism. Canadians of Uruguayan origin (approximately 7,600) form an integral part of Canada’s social fabric, and contribute to a positive bilateral relationship, including through culture and commerce.
Canada and Uruguay share a great appreciation for higher education. The Embassy of Canada is engaged with the Uruguayan academic sector with a focus on students interested in studying or conducting high level research in Canada. The provides short term scholarships for students from Latin America and the Caribbean to study in Canada. Since 2009, more than 192 Uruguayan students have received ELAP scholarships.
Trade relations
Canada has moderate bilateral trade and investment with Uruguay. In 2024, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Uruguay totaled $202 million. Canadian exports totaled $91.6 million, while Canadian imports totaled $101.4 million. The top merchandise exports were fertilizer (50%), machinery, and mechanical appliances (25%) while top merchandise imports were meat (72%), wood (19%), as well as nuts and fruit (3%).
Uruguay is a full member of Mercosur, a customs union which also includes Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
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Development
Canada’s development relationship with Uruguay has evolved from one of donor and recipient to one of collaboration when Uruguay stopped being eligible for Official Development Assistance in 2018. Although Canada no longer has an active bilateral development program in Uruguay, the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Office of Canada’s is headquartered in Montevideo.
Since 1976, IDRC has funded 176 research projects worth $27.6 million in Uruguay. IDRC support in Uruguay focuses on helping LAC countries to:
- meet their climate change obligations;
- improve women’s economic outlook;
- support research that addresses key challenges and opportunities of the future of-work focusing on innovative and gender-responsive approaches to advance adaptable skills and promote decent work;
- improve data and using artificial intelligence to promote regional collaboration generating development outcomes (climate change adaptation, energy transitions);
- adopt digital technologies to improve inclusive education for marginalized social groups;
- support sectoral collaboration and public policy innovation in the care economy; and
- build capacities in research institutions to collaborate with private sector actors in generating sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Operations
Canada and Uruguay have developed a strong partnership in advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, particularly through peacekeeping collaboration and institutional reforms. Both countries co-chaired the WPS Focal Points Network in 2020. Uruguay also co-hosted with Canada the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial (UNPKDM) in Vancouver in November 2017. Uruguay has endorsed the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers as well as Canada’s Elsie Initiative on Women in Peace Operations.
In 2021, Canada and Uruguay further deepened their defence relationship through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the Dallaire Institute and Ministry of Defence – National Peace Operations Training Institute of Uruguay. One outcome of the MOU has been the establishment of the Latin American Centre of Excellence for Children, Peace and Security in Montevideo.
Canada and Uruguay collaborated closely within the context of their respective deployments to the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) from 2004 to 2017.
In December 2024, Uruguay jointly hosted with Japan, the U.K., and the UN its second UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Preparatory Meeting. In addition to providing financial assistance for the meeting ($20,250), Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace, and Security, Jaqueline O’Neil, participated and delivered key messages.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Uruguay work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- La Francophonie
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Open Government Partnership (OGP)
- Organization of American States (OAS)
- Pacific Alliance
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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