The Philippines and New Zealand have embarked on negotiations for a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), marking a significant step in their defense collaboration. The discussions, which commenced on January 23, 2025, were hosted by the Philippine government in Manila. This initiative follows a commitment made by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during Luxon’s visit to Manila in April 2024.
Leading the negotiations were DND Undersecretary Pablo M. Lorenzo for the Philippines and Ministry of Defense Director Kathleen Pearce for New Zealand. The New Zealand delegation also included Ambassador Catherine McIntosh, Deputy Head of Mission Stacey Kwant, and a Ministry of Defense analyst, with additional members participating remotely. The Philippine team comprised key figures from various departments, including the Department of Justice, the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the DND.
The SOVFA aims to enhance the existing memorandum of arrangement signed in 2017 between the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines with New Zealand’s Ministry of Defense. This new agreement will facilitate increased military cooperation, allowing both nations’ armed forces to conduct joint exercises and operations within each other’s territories.
The successful negotiation of this agreement is anticipated to be a pivotal moment in the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and New Zealand, especially as they approach the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2026.