Chamber of the House of Representatives, Canberra, Australia
February 29, 2024

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines strengthening ties with its Strategic Partner, Australia, when he spoke before its Parliament — the first address ever made by a Philippine President.

The Chief Executive looked back on the two nations’ shared history to contextualize the roles they continue to play in confronting global challenges, including geopolitical polarities and strategic competitions, transformative technologies that can destabilize political and social order, climate change and tectonic shifts that are being felt in the Indo-Pacific.

“It has become crucial for us now to envision the shape, the breadth, and the depth of our Strategic Partnership and how it must move forward as we weather the storms of global volatility… Our two countries have always understood that without the predictability and stability of our rules-based order, our region would not have emerged as the driver of the global economy as it is today,” he remarked, acknowledging Australia not only as an important partner of the Philippines, but of Asia as well and the entire Indo-Pacific community.

As President Marcos Jr. is set to participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Australia Special Summit in Melbourne next week, he likewise acknowledged Australia’s shared commitment with the people of Southeast Asia. “In Australia, we see not only a strong democracy but an indispensable part of our Pacific community, a permanent stakeholder in the future of Asia, and a reliable supporter of ASEAN Centrality,” he added.

The President further expressed optimism towards the future trajectory of the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Australia, as reflected by its people linkages. He noted there are almost 35,000 Filipino students pursuing education in their respective endeavors, making them the 5th largest foreign student population in Australia.

On the other hand, there are nearly 30,000 Australians who work and live in the Philippines to date.

“Looking ahead, I am confident that Filipinos and Australians will remain steadfast partners, unyielding and uncompromising in our shared values, and energized as we grid ourselves to work together in the spirit of bayanihan and of mateship,” President Marcos Jr. ended in his message.

The President is in Canberra from 28-29 February 2024 as Guest of Government upon the invitation of Governor-General David Hurley. His visit is envisioned to further strengthen the existing bonds of cooperation between the Philippines and Australia, and enable discussions for new areas of cooperation towards the celebration of 78 years of diplomatic relations later this year.

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