Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C Teodoro Jr held the inaugural Australia-Philippines Defence Ministers' Meeting on 12 November 2024 in Canberra, Australia. The principals underscored their commitment to deepening political and strategic cooperation as a key pillar of the Australia‑Philippines Strategic Partnership.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary underscored the importance of defence cooperation between Australia and the Philippines in supporting a secure and stable region where sovereignty is respected, international law is adhered to and nations can make decisions free from coercion. The principals emphasised the role of both countries in contributing to regional stability and promoting an Indo-Pacific that reinforces the rules‑based order and regional architecture. The principals reaffirmed their commitment to the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to the region's stability and security, including through the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus framework.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary expressed serious concern about the situation in the South China Sea. They underscored the vital importance of all states being free to exercise rights and freedoms consistent with international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, including freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea. The principals reiterated serious concern about dangerous conduct by China against vessels from the Philippines. They emphasised the need for all states to pursue the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law and reaffirmed the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award was final and binding on the parties. They resolved to work together to support regional maritime security and uphold international law.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary committed to deepening defence cooperation amidst the challenging security environment, increasing strategic competition and unprecedented military build-up taking place in the Indo-Pacific without reassurance or transparency. They welcomed Australia's increased efforts to prioritise maritime security in collective training. The principals looked forward to the second iteration of Exercise Alon in 2025, which would be an opportunity to increase complexity and enhance the interoperability between our armed forces. The Secretary confirmed the Philippines would participate in Exercise Talisman Sabre next year for the first time, whilst the Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed Australia's continued participation in Exercise Balikatan and inaugural participation in Exercise Salaknib next year. The principals agreed to develop and sign in 2025 a new arrangement outlining the direction and management of official dialogues, training, leadership development, and infrastructure under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Program.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary acknowledged the importance of regional defence cooperation in promoting the collective security and stability of the Indo-Pacific. The principals reaffirmed their shared commitment to increase multilateral defence cooperation. Building on the commitments of the Defence Ministers' Meeting in Honolulu on 2 May 2024 with Japan and the United States, the principals welcomed greater defence cooperation between the four countries, including through continued maritime cooperation in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and activities that build capacity and strengthen interoperability. The principals committed to an Australian Defence Force logistics and engineer survey in the Philippines to support bilateral training and enhanced interoperability with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary agreed that Russia's invasion of Ukraine had serious implications for security, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Both sides expressed serious concern on the reported transfer of weapons and dual use goods to Russia. Both sides underscored their serious concern on the deployment of DPRK military personnel to aid Russia against Ukraine, as well as the continued launching of ballistic and other missiles by the DPRK in the recent months, in contravention of United Nations Security Council Resolutions, and which pose further threats to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
