Parliamentary Secretary Naqvi visits Poland to champion Canada’s defence‑sector commercialization and nuclear cooperation

March 20, 2026 - Warsaw, Poland - Global Affairs Canada

This week, Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and to the Secretary of State (International Development), travelled to Poland to advance Canada’s defence export efforts and promote Canada’s nuclear sector at the Baltic Nuclear Energy Forum international conference.

This year’s forum focused on energy security, infrastructure resilience and the role of nuclear energy in building stable economies and communities.

In Warsaw, Parliamentary Secretary Naqvi visited Canada’s embassy for Canada-Poland Defence Industry Day, where he spoke about the growing momentum of the Canada-Poland Strategic Partnership, announced in August 2025 by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk. At this event, Parliamentary Secretary Naqvi celebrated Export Development Canada’s (EDC’s) efforts to strengthen Canada-Poland cooperation in the defence and aerospace sectors. At the event, an EDC representative announced:

• a $1-billion letter of interest to explore financing for the Government of Poland’s procurement of defence and aerospace capabilities from Canadian suppliers

• new representation in Warsaw, opening later this year, as part of its broader European strategy to increase on-the-ground support for Canadian exporters and investors, particularly in priority areas such as energy transition and security-related industries.

Parliamentary Secretary Naqvi also showed support for Canadian companies operating in Poland, encouraging deeper business-to-business ties, while attending a reception co-hosted by Catherine Godin, Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Poland, and the Polish-Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

During his three days in Poland, Parliamentary Secretary Naqvi met with several senior government officials: Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, Government Plenipotentiary for SAFE; Michał Baranowski, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology; Konrad Gołota, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of State Assets; Krzysztof Galos, Chief Geologist and Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Climate and Environment; Wojciech Wrochna, Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure and Secretary of State, Ministry of Energy; as well as Polish parliamentarians. During these meetings, Parliamentary Secretary Naqvi advocated for strengthened collaboration with Poland in sectors of shared interest, notably, nuclear energy, defence and aerospace, and explored defence industrial cooperation between the two countries.

Quotes

“Canada is proud to collaborate with Poland as it strengthens its energy security and defence capabilities and remains committed to working with Poland to promote long‑term stability, job creation and economic growth for both countries. Canada’s nuclear and defence industries deliver safe, reliable and innovative solutions, and we look forward to deepening our partnerships across Europe in these sectors.”

- Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and to the Secretary of State (International Development)

Quick facts

• The Baltic Nuclear Energy Forum (BNEF) is an international platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience dedicated to the development of nuclear energy in the Baltic Sea region and Central Europe. The BNEF brings together representatives of public administration, industry, international institutions, and academia, creating a space for dialogue on the future of low-emission energy.

• In October 2022, Canada and Poland signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation, paving the way for even closer collaboration in the years ahead.

• On January 28, 2025, Canada and Poland signed a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement enabling transfer of nuclear technology.

• Poland, the sixth-largest economy in the European Union in 2025, is a rising economic partner for Canada.