Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is today (03 March 2024) making his second trip to Australia in a week, to attend a special summit with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. Mr Marcos said the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne is an opportunity for the government to reiterate the country’s position on regional and international issues.
He will hold bilateral meetings with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon; he will also participate in the Philippine Business Forum led by the Department of Trade, and deliver a keynote speech at the Lowy Institute.
Australian Prime Minister Albanese and President Marcos reaffirmed the strong relationship between the two countries during the latter’s first official visit to Australia last week. President Marcos’ address to a joint sitting of the Australian Parliament highlighted their close cooperation under the upgraded Strategic Partnership, signed by Leaders last year, and our shared commitment to an open, resilient and prosperous region.
The Presidential trip to Australia follows Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to Manila last year, the first visit by an Australian Prime Minister in 20 years, and the historic elevation of the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership.
Last Thursday the two leaders announced new Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to implement key priorities of our Strategic Partnership, including:
- Enhanced Maritime Cooperation to strengthen our existing civil and defence maritime commitments;
- Cyber and critical technology to harden our resilience against cyber-attacks and encourage cooperation on the digital economy; and
- Cooperation between our national competition commissions to enhance effective competition law and policy.
The Australian Prime Minister also announced a new AUD20 million investment to support the Philippines to reform, and improve access to, its justice system.
Speaking after the signing of the MoU, Mr Albanese said the two countries were working together “to build a peaceful region where international law is respected and waterways are open for trade.”
This partnership extends to strengthening the digital economies of both countries, fostering stronger connections between government bodies, the private sector, academic circles, and research institutions in the realm of cyber defence research.
Beyond the technicalities of digital research, Australia and the Philippines are set to work hand-in-hand to uphold “agreed norms of responsible state behaviour” in cyberspace, adhering to international agreements on cyber-crime.
Prime Minister Albanese has highlighted the Philippines as a pivotal partner in Southeast Asia, sharing a vision for an open, stable, and prosperous region. “Our nations have never been closer,” he remarked, “and realising opportunities through our Strategic Partnership will bring great benefits to Australians and Filipinos.”
The 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit is a significant milestone in our shared history. It will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on 04 to 06 March 2024. It is an opportunity to enhance cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2021 and will bring leaders together to look ahead to the next 50 years of ASEAN-Australia cooperation.
Also see our related article: Deepening Our Trade Ties at ASEAN.
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