Visiting Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that Australia would provide AU$89.9 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Philippines to support economic, education, and Mindanao peace programs.
(From left) Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (Photo courtesy of DFA)
The ODA, covering the period 2023-2024, would also support inclusive economic growth, training and scholarships, and disaster and climate resilience.
The Australian official made the announcement via a joint press statement issued after her meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Thursday, May 18.
Wong visited Manila from May 16 to 18 following an invitation from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to assess the current state of the Philippines’ and Australia’s bilateral relations.
The ODA came on top of the existing AU$10.95 million commitment by Australia to support the Philippines in establishing a “new immunization information system and a strengthened laboratory network and surveillance system” to address the disruptions to routine immunization during the pandemic.
During the meeting, the two officials also reaffirmed their “mutual commitment” to supporting the Philippines’ 2027-2028 candidature and Australia's 2029-2030 candidature for the United Nations Security Council.
Furthermore, Manalo and Wong agreed to enhance trade and investment cooperation.
Such cooperation could also include working together on critical minerals and exploring opportunities to improve two-way tourism.
They likewise discussed how to further strengthen the two countries’ people-to-people connections through the Work and Holiday Visa Arrangement being negotiated.
The two would meet again to convene the 6th Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting (PAMM) in Australia later this year.