19 June 2023, CANBERRA – Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen De La Vega provided a briefing for the Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) Class of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) during their visit to Canberra on 19 June as part of their Global Security Development Studies program.

The NDCP is the Philippine Government’s premier institution for education and research on defense and national security with the mission to prepare leaders for national security positions. The MNSA class will meet officials from the Australian Government including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Defence, Australian Border Force and military counterparts. In New South Wales, they will attend a briefing on NSW’s defense industry strategy.

The Ambassador discussed developments in the bilateral relations of the Philippines and Australia as well as opportunities for further engagement including on the important defense and security cooperation of the two countries. The Ambassador noted the breadth of bilateral military activities of the Philippines and Australia and the announcement of the annual conduct of defense ministerial meeting. This was announced during the visit to the Philippines in February 2023 of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles.

The MNSA students, which included defense officials from other countries in Asia, engaged the Ambassador on bilateral and regional security issues. During the discussion, the Ambassador underscored the important role played by ASEAN and the commitment of the Philippines to international rules-based order. -- END