Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed Prince Rahim Aga Khan V to Canada for his first official visit since assuming leadership of the Ismaili Imamat, with both sides unveiling a series of new initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation in housing, international development, innovation, and energy security. The visit, taking place from March 25 to March 31, 2026, reflects a long-standing relationship between Canada and the Ismaili Imamat built on shared priorities around inclusion, economic opportunity, and global stability.
One of the central announcements focused on affordable housing in Canada. The federal government confirmed plans to work with the Ismaili Imamat through Build Canada Homes on multi generational non profit housing projects designed to expand access to affordable units for low and moderate income households. Officials said the partnership will be formalized through a memorandum of understanding that will help establish a long term pipeline of housing developments across the country.
The two leaders also announced the creation of a new Economic Partnership Platform to strengthen collaboration on international development and investment in emerging economies. As part of this initiative, FinDev Canada and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development will formalize cooperation through another memorandum of understanding aimed at supporting infrastructure projects, renewable energy expansion, agricultural modernization, and financial sector development in sub Saharan Africa and the Asia Pacific region.
Canada and the Aga Khan Development Network also confirmed they are working together on recovery and long term development programming in Syria, while continuing joint initiatives across Africa and Asia focused on health services, education access, and economic opportunity. Officials said these collaborations may also involve additional international partners in new coalitions designed to improve development outcomes and strengthen regional resilience.
Looking ahead, the Canada Ismaili Imamat Joint Steering Committee has been tasked with identifying further areas for cooperation. These include expanding education, language training, and workforce skills development in partner countries, supporting the global deployment of Canadian technologies in fields such as agriculture, climate action, and health innovation, and advancing regional energy security initiatives such as the Ruzizi III Hydropower Project in the African Great Lakes region. The project represents a major regional public private partnership supported by the Industrial Promotion Services of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development.
The two sides also welcomed the appointment of David Lametti as Canada’s new representative to the Ismaili Imamat. In this role, Ambassador Lametti will help coordinate strategic engagement across federal departments as Canada continues implementing the priorities established under the 2014 strategic partnership protocol between the Government of Canada and the Ismaili Imamat. Officials said the Joint Steering Committee will continue monitoring progress and provide annual updates on the partnership’s outcomes.
