Prime Minister Albanese will welcome the President of the Republic of the Philippines, HE Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos to Canberra from 28 to 29 February for their first official visit to Australia.
President Marcos will address a joint sitting of the Parliament of Australia, in recognition of our two nations’ shared commitment to democratic values and a common vision for an open, resilient and prosperous region.
The President’s visit to Australia follows Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to Manila last year, the first visit by an Australian Prime Minister in 20 years, and the historic elevation of the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership.
Leaders will discuss progress in the Partnership, including greater cooperation on defence and maritime security, governance, trade and investment. From 4 to 6 March, the Prime Minister will host President Marcos and other Southeast Asian leaders at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
"President Marcos is a great friend to Australia, and I look forward to welcoming him to Canberra for his first official visit.
"We are ambitious for the future of the Australia-Philippines relationship, which is guided by our historic Strategic Partnership I signed with President Marcos in Manila last year.
"Our nations are deeply connected through our shared regional, trade and investment links, but most importantly through our people, including more than 400,000 people of Filipino heritage who call Australia home."