OTTAWA, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Canada on Tuesday joined the United States and Finland in signing a Joint Statement of Intent (JSOI) to enhance trilateral cooperation in producing and maintaining world-class icebreakers for Arctic operations.

According to a news release issued by Public Services and Procurement Canada, the agreement aims to strengthen industrial cooperation among the three nations to build and maintain their icebreaker fleets, support domestic shipbuilding industries, and assert their capabilities and sovereignty in the polar and Arctic regions.

Key priorities outlined in the JSOI include enhancing collaboration across all stages of production, launching trilateral workforce development initiatives, aligning international promotion and cooperation activities, as well as advancing joint research and development frameworks.

Canadian Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Joel Lightbound said in the release that the partnership will reinforce Canada's Arctic capabilities, and address emerging challenges in the region.

The agreement builds upon the broader Icebreaker Collaboration Effort Pact signed in 2024 and recent initiatives, including the renewal of the U.S. icebreaker fleet which involves shipyards from both Canada and Finland.

Officials from the three countries are set to meet to outline actionable steps to achieve the JSOI's objectives, with follow-up meetings planned for next year, said the release. Enditem