MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. will leave for Australia on Wednesday to embark on a 2-day state visit to Canberra, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced in a press briefing Tuesday. 

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“The President’s visit and official activities in Canberra shall further strengthen existing bonds of cooperation and shall enable discussions for new avenues of collaboration as both the Philippines and Australia look forward to celebrating the 78th anniversary of diplomatic relations later this year," Ambassador Teresita Daza, DFA spokesperson, told reporters.
 
The official said Marcos’ visit will be significant as it will be the first time that a Philippine leader will address the Australian Parliament.
 
“This is a very good opportunity for the Philippines not only to underscore the shared vision about the future with Australia and this coming after the two of us elevating our partnership to strategic partnership but will also help us underscore — both countries as maritime nations have actually committed to adherence to the rules-based order and international law,” Daza said. 

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“So, it will be very significant, it will be an opportunity for both… for the President to discuss the close and enduring relations between the two countries but at the same time see how we can actually explore areas to further deepen the relations,” she continued.
 
Marcos will also hold separate meetings with Governor General David Hurley, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and other Australian parliamentary leaders to discuss various areas of cooperation and regional issues, including the South China Sea.

SUMMIT
 
Following the state visit, Marcos will be flying to Melbourne to join other Southeast Asian and Australian leaders in the ASEAN-Australia Summit from March 4 to 6, 2024.
 
According to the DFA, the summit is an opportunity for the Philippines to present its core position on regional and international issues, as well as highlight ASEAN-Australia cooperation on “maritime issues, climate and clean energy track, people-to-people exchange, and the economic cooperation.”
 
“At the leaders retreat, the President may encourage Australia to remain committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes and to maintain respect for the rules-based international order and multilateralism which is currently very much under challenged,” DFA Office of ASEAN Affairs Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu said in the press briefing.
 
Marcos will also hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Cambodia and New Zealand on the sidelines of the summit. 

There will also an opportunity for the President to promote Philippine business during the Philippine Business Forum organized by the DTI, as well as meet with the Filipino community in Melbourne, Espiritu said.
 
Marcos' Australia visits will be the 22nd and 23rd trips that he has embarked on since being elected president in 2022.