The former central banker for the UK and Canada pitched himself as a someone who can help a country navigate economic challenges.

OTTAWA—Mark Carney, the former Canadian and U.K. central banker, formally declared his interest in succeeding Justin Trudeau as leader of Canada’s Liberal Party and the country’s prime minister, promising an economic agenda focused on lifting it from a period of stagnant growth.

Mark Carney, the first non-Brit to run the Bank of England since it was founded in 1694 and the former head of Canada’s central bank, said Thursday he is entering the race to be Canada’s next prime minister following the resignation of Justin Trudeau.