PH and Australia launch 5-year dev't partnership plan

The Australian Embassy in the Philippines celebrated the launch of a comprehensive five-year development partnership plan on Thursday, set to unfold across the country until 2029. Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Secretary Jan Adams, alongside Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu, unveiled the Australia-Philippines Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029 during an event in Makati City.

The partnership plan focuses on three main objectives: enhancing stability conditions, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, and increasing institutional and community resilience against social, economic, and climate-related shocks. Ambassador Yu emphasized the plan’s long-term nature, stating, “For the first time, we are actually launching a long-term plan that outlines where Australia's effort is going to be when it comes to development outcomes.” She noted that the Australian government consulted with 85 agencies and organizations to create a program that effectively addresses the needs of the Philippines.

During a press conference, Ambassador Yu revealed that Australia has been investing over PHP 4 billion annually in capacity building and development support for the Philippines. With the launch of this new partnership program, this investment is expected to increase, with additional contributions from Australia’s private sector for key projects in the Philippines.

Secretary Adams elaborated on the partnership’s scope, stating it will support peacebuilding efforts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), enhance civil and maritime cooperation, protect marine environments, and strengthen the justice system. “We will strengthen our collaboration with the Philippines to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth,” she added, highlighting commitments to support key sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, telecommunications, and digitization.

Furthermore, the development plan aims to bolster efforts against climate change through adaptation and mitigation strategies. It also emphasizes humanitarian responses during crises and focuses on disaster risk reduction.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) representative Joseph Cupino remarked on the partnership’s potential to accelerate the administration’s Philippine Development Plan (PDP). He noted that the collaboration would particularly enhance efforts to protect vulnerable families and expand opportunities for women in the Philippines.