In a significant move to bolster their bilateral relations, the Philippines and Australia have recommitted to their development partnership. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in Manila announced that the inaugural Philippines-Australia High-Level Consultations on Development took place on February 18 at the NEDA Central Office in Mandaluyong City. This meeting was a key step in discussing and aligning the development priorities of both nations.
The consultations are part of the broader Philippines-Australia Development Partnership Plan (DPP) 2024-2029, which was initiated in October 2024. This plan sets out a roadmap for cooperation in critical areas including peacebuilding, civil maritime cooperation, strategic economic reforms, skills development and education, social protection, and enhancing resilience against disasters and climate change.
During the consultations, updates on the ongoing initiatives under the DPP were reviewed. NEDA Undersecretary for Investment Programming, Joseph Capuno, emphasized the need for deeper collaboration across various sectors. He pointed out several opportunities to enhance the partnership between the two countries’ governments.
Capuno also highlighted the crucial role of the private sector in infrastructure development, particularly in providing technical assistance to improve the Philippines’ ability to manage public-private partnerships for major infrastructure projects.
The discussions also touched on the Philippines’ vulnerability to natural disasters, such as typhoons, and the need to strengthen measures for climate resilience. Capuno stressed the importance of advocating for fair and transparent use of funds to support communities, especially in the agriculture sector, affected by climate change.
He noted that the Philippines experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually and, despite progress in reducing fatalities through timely evacuations, there is a continuous effort to minimize the damage caused by these storms.
In the realm of trade and investments, Capuno focused on environmental, social, and governance investments in responsible mining. He acknowledged the need to develop the Philippines’ mining sector while learning from Australia’s successful strategies in minimizing environmental and social impacts. Capuno expressed interest in incorporating Australian technology and policies into the Philippines’ mining framework to ensure sustainable development.