80 years of friendship and partnership

Every year on May 22, Australia and the Philippines celebrate Friendship Day – an occasion that recognizes the extensive and enduring ties between our two countries.

This date marks the anniversary of the opening of Australia’s first consulate in Manila in 1946 – the beginning of our formal diplomatic relationship.

This year’s Friendship Day carries particular significance as Australia and the Philippines commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations.

Over eight decades, our partnership has grown broader and more consequential. Today, it spans defense and maritime cooperation, trade and investment, development, education, policing and people-to-people exchanges.

It is comprehensive in scope and practical in focus. At its foundation is a long history of friendship and trust between our peoples.

Each year, Friendship Day celebrations are held in a different part of the Philippines. This year, we are proud to celebrate in Quezon City, a place closely connected to an important chapter in our shared history.

In 1942, as Bataan and Corregidor came under siege during the Second World War, President Manuel L. Quezon and his family found refuge in Australia. It was a powerful expression of solidarity at a difficult moment in Philippine history. This year, a permanent plaque at Quezon Memorial Circle will commemorate this chapter in our shared story and stand as a lasting symbol of friendship for future generations.

Like friendships between people, friendships between nations are built over time, and Australia and the Philippines have continued to stand side by side throughout.

From the liberation of the Philippines during the Second World War to peacekeeping missions and humanitarian operations across the world, our countries have worked together in support of peace and stability. In 2026, we will further strengthen our defense ties, including through the conclusion of a new Defense Cooperation Arrangement. Australia’s recent contribution to Exercise Balikatan was our largest ever commitment to this exercise, with more than 450 Australian Defense Force personnel participating, including HMAS Toowoomba.

Beyond defense, we have been development partners for over 50 years. Australia’s bilateral development program with the Philippines is our fifth largest globally. Over the last 20 years, we have provided P63 billion (A$1.6 billion) in capacity building and development support to the Philippines, and our annual program now stands at over P4 billion (A$104 million) per year.

Recognizing the challenges that natural disasters pose for the Philippines, Australia has long been a reliable partner in times of crisis. Over the past two decades, Australia has responded to 41 major natural disasters in the Philippines, providing over P4.6 billion in emergency relief assistance and supporting nearly 10 million Filipinos. These efforts reflect the practical and enduring nature of our partnership.

History alone, however, is not enough to sustain friendship. Lasting partnerships also require shared interests and a common vision for the future.

As maritime nations, Australia and the Philippines share a strong interest in a peaceful, stable and prosperous region governed by international law and the rules-based order. We are working more closely than ever to support maritime security and regional resilience.

Australia’s maritime program has provided law of the sea training for over 800 Philippine officials, including some 250 officials from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). We have also donated 20 state-of-the-art drones to PCG and provided associated training to strengthen maritime domain awareness capabilities, with more uncrewed maritime technology support on the way.

Environmental protection is another important area of collaboration. Australia is working with partners like the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute to protect and restore coral reefs across the archipelago. This includes supporting world-leading research and cutting-edge technology to provide scalable responses to coral bleaching and the impacts of climate change.

Economic cooperation is another vital pillar of our relationship.

Through Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 (Invested 2040), we are working hard to increase two-way trade and investment. As of July 2025, two-way trade reached a record high of P497 billion (A$11.34 billion), but more can be done.

On May 11, Australia announced it would join the Luzon Economic Corridor, further strengthening our commitment to the Philippines’ economic growth and connectivity agenda. Through mobilizing investment, technical assistance and a new P1.9-billion (A$45 million) inclusive economic growth program, PROGRESS, Australia will support infrastructure, economic resilience and ease of doing business initiatives that deliver practical outcomes for Filipinos.

In March, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Honorable Matt Thistlethwaite, led a Business Exchange Mission to the Philippines, driving forward recommendations under Invested 2040 and supporting the expansion of our education partnership.

Australia is also supporting food security and agricultural resilience. Through nearly P1 billion in assistance for agri-food systems, Australia is helping strengthen research capability, improve productivity and support sustainable agriculture.

Education remains one of the strongest foundations of the relationship. Over the past decade, Australia’s education support has benefited more than three million Filipino children. Through scholarships, institutional partnerships and technical cooperation, we continue to invest in the next generation of Filipino leaders and professionals.

At the heart of the Australia-Philippines relationship are the real and lasting friendships between our peoples.

Today, around 400,000 people of Filipino heritage call Australia home, making Filipino-Australians one of Australia’s most vibrant and dynamic communities. In 2025, over 290,000 Australians visited the Philippines, supported by an increasing number of direct flights between our countries. These personal connections strengthen understanding, deepen trust and bring our societies closer together.

As we face an increasingly complex strategic environment, the importance of trusted partnerships will only continue to grow. The friendship between Australia and the Philippines – built over 80 years – provides a strong foundation for the future.

Our partnership has never been stronger, and we look forward to continuing to work together in support of peace, stability and prosperity for our region and our peoples.

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Marc Innes-Brown is the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines.