PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

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

27 November 2025, CANBERRA – The Philippines and Australia convened on 26 November 2025, the 2nd Philippines–Australia Bilateral Consular Consultation (BCC) at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra, Australia.

The Philippine delegation was led by the Honorable Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, Undersecretary for Administration of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Australian delegation was led by the Honorable Elizabeth McGregor, First Assistant Secretary of the Consular and Crisis Management Division of DFAT.

The 2nd BCC builds on the successful outcomes and ongoing engagement between the two countries following the inaugural consular consultation that was hosted by the Philippines on 24 July 2024 in Makati City, Metro Manila.

The Philippine and Australian delegations held constructive discussions on a range of consular matters, with particular interest on exploring ways to strengthen coordination and to learn from best practices on crisis management and contingency planning, enhancing cooperation on the welfare and protection of overseas nationals, capacity-building for consular officers, and further improving channels of communication between the two governments on consular matters.

The meeting likewise provided an opportunity for both sides to review ongoing areas of cooperation and explore ways to move forward on pending matters in the consular field.

Following the BCC, the DFAT facilitated visits by the Philippine delegation to Australia’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Australian Passport Office (APO) under DFAT.

The BCC is a mechanism established between the Philippines and Australia to promote bilateral cooperation in the consular field and reflects the shared commitment of both countries to advance the welfare of their nationals. - END