President Marcos to attend ASEAN-Australia summit in March

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. will attend the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, Australia, from March 4 to 6, highlighting the Philippines' commitment to strengthening regional and bilateral ties with Australia.

The Australian government emphasized its long-standing relationships with Southeast Asian nations and its priority to deepen engagement with ASEAN member states.

The 2021 establishment of the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) has enhanced cooperation in sectors like energy transition, digital economy, health, and countering human trafficking.

The Philippines and Australia will commemorate the 78th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in November, underscoring the enduring ties between the two nations.

As of 2022, there are 408,000 Filipinos and Australians of Filipino descent in Australia, making them the fifth-largest migrant community there.

The summit presents an opportunity for the Philippines to present its core position on regional and international issues and set the tone for dialogue partners' summit later in the year, especially in October.

During the Leaders' Plenary, President Marcos will thank Australia for its unwavering support for the rule of law, UNCLOS, and the 2016 PCA ruling on the South China Sea.

The President may also highlight ASEAN-Australia cooperation on maritime issues, climate and clean energy track, people-to-people exchange, and economic cooperation.