PHOTO RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

27 February 2025, MANILA - Philippine Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Antonio A. Morales, paid a courtesy visit to NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan on 19 February 2025, at the NEDA Office in Mandaluyong City, to discuss Australia’s support to the Philippines following the priorities and joint objectives laid out in the Philippines-Australia Development Partnership Plan (DPP) 2024-2029 which was launched in the Philippines in October 2024.

An important trade and investment partner for the Philippines, Australia currently stands as the country’s 20th largest trading partner. In 2023, the two countries established a Strategic Partnership that resulted in the formulation of the DPP 2024-2029.

Anchored on the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, the DPP seeks to strengthen and bolster development cooperation, bilateral trade, official development assistance, and targeted investments in the PH in the areas of cybersecurity, maritime industry and security, mining, climate change adaptation, and infrastructure development, among others.

The courtesy visit also discussed the results of the first Philippines-Australia High-Level Consultations on Development on 18 February 2025 which focused on shared development priorities, specifically updates on the pipeline and ongoing programs and initiatives under the DPP 2024-2029. - END