A report card of our first year as Strategic Partners

Dear Friends,

Today marks one year since President Marcos and Prime Minister Albanese upgraded ties between the Philippines and Australia to a Strategic Partnership. I want to report back to you on what we have achieved together. I can honestly say it has been a productive 12 months of turning our words of commitment into real action. The kind of action that creates a positive impact on the lives of many.

Development and economic ties

As Strategic Partners we have been building our trade and investment relationship, which is not as vibrant as it should be. Over 250 Australian companies are already invested here. Collectively they are employing over 44,000 Filipinos and having a positive impact by enhancing skills, driving tech transfer and creating new jobs. But we can do so much better. We continue to actively explore investment opportunities here in agrifood, education, infrastructure, resources and energy. I would personally love to see more Australian goods on the shelves and more Australian companies partnering with the Philippines to drive economic growth.

Australia wants the Philippines to reach its ambition to be an upper middle income economy by 2025. After all, we know that economic power equals strategic power. We are being both a supportive and practical partner. For example, this week we hosted a high-level business mission led by Macquarie Group CEO Shemara Wikramanayake. The Australian business delegation represented our major institutional funds and leading corporates. And they can potentially bring more capital and expertise to deliver complex nation building infrastructure and productivity enhancing agricultural projects for the Philippines.

The Australian Government itself is investing in inclusive programs that are responsive to this country’s development needs. For example, we’ve been working with the Philippine Government to design an innovative economic development program worth P1.7 billion over the next five years.

We are also contributing to the prevention and control of diseases. For example, Australia supported the launch of a Tuberculosis Knowledge Hub in Manila to support the uptake of innovative TB treatment. Better public health administration is another area of focus. Last month our health officials exchanged best practices on the emerging area of digital health.

In the justice sector, we are partnering with the Supreme Court of the Philippines, among other partners, to deliver a new P350-million investment over the next five years. The goal is to strengthen transparency and accountability in the justice system, and improve accessibility and case management. Just over a week ago, the embassy sponsored three Australian experts to travel to Manila and contribute to a Philippine consultation towards establishing an operational and independent forensics institute in the Philippines.

Defense and security ties

Over the past year Australia and the Philippines have participated in three maritime cooperative activities (‘joint sails’) in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine Air Force sent four fighter jets and close to 200 personnel to Northern Australia to participate in Exercise Pitch Black. This was the PAF’s first deployment offshore since 1963! Our Enhanced Defense Cooperation Program has become even more jam-packed with activities in response to the shared security priorities between our two countries. We’ve hosted many two-way visits between military leaders and educational opportunities. And Australia made our largest ever contribution to Exercise Balikatan this year.

The Australian Federal Police team in Manila has been busy too. It has supported the Philippine National Police-led counter-terrorism operations. This has occurred through the delivery of intelligence training, mentoring on investigations planning and the exchange of criminal intelligence. Australian police, in partnership with PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation, also support the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center. Over the past 12 months, the Center undertook 48 operations which resulted in the rescue of 105 victims and 34 people charged. Of these, the arrest/charging of nine suspects and the rescue of 27 victims were a direct result of Australian Federal Police’s efforts.

Agriculture and maritime ties

Under a joint AU-Phl government program, five Filipino graduate students have received full scholarships and started their PhD studies in Australia in mid-2024. Australia is investing in this country’s research excellence – including in agribusiness management, soil science, horticulture and marine science. Our Australia Awards program continues to provide an excellent pathway for talented Filipino students to pursue Master’s degrees in Australian universities, as well as participate in short course training programs.

Scientists from Australia’s Southern Cross University and UP-Marine Science Institute are collaborating on marine environment protection research, specifically on Mass Coral Larval Reseeding technique (Coral IVF). This is an Australian scientific breakthrough that we are sharing in five areas across the Philippines to help restore degraded coral reefs. These precious reefs are starting to demonstrate increased resilience to climate change impacts.

Australia understands agriculture and the importance of soil. We are contributing over P130 million to support the Philippines National Soil Health Strategy. The goal is to develop soil knowledge and capacity to improve the productivity of cropping systems. The Agusan del Sur provincial government is co-investing in the project through the construction of a P550-million Soil Laboratory which will follow Australian standards. Filipino farmers will benefit, thanks to improved farm productivity through science-based soil management.

As we mark our one-year anniversary as Strategic Partners, I am looking ambitiously to the future. I want to build on the excellent progress we’ve made across many sectors since September 2023. In my final year as Ambassador to the Philippines, I know that we will deliver just as many great results, if not more.

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HK Yu is Australia’s Ambassador to the Philippines. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @AusAmbPH.