PH, Australia Commit to Vigorous Defense and Security Cooperation at 5^th PH-Australia Strategic Dialogue

The Philippines and Australia convening the 5^th Strategic Dialogue. From left to right: National Defense Undersecretary Cardozo M. Luna, Foreign Affairs (DFA) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) -Undersecretary for Policy Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Deputy Secretary for Indo-Pacific Group Justin Hayhurst, and Department of Defence (DOD) Deputy Secretary for Strategy, Policy and Industry Group Peter Tesch.

MANILA 01 December 2020 – Philippine foreign and defense officials, led by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso and National Defense Undersecretary Cardozo M. Luna, convened the 5^thPhilippines-Australia Strategic Dialogue (PASD) via video teleconference, together with their Australian counterparts led by and Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Deputy Secretary for Indo-Pacific Group Justin Hayhurst and Defence Deputy Secretary for Strategy, Policy and Industry Group Peter Tesch on 26 November 2020, to discuss strategic priorities and issues of shared mutual importance such as defense and security.

In anticipation of the 75^th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Australia in 2021, both sides exchanged views on the evolving regional political and security situation, discussed traditional and emerging threats in light of COVID-19, shared updates on respective overall defense policies and priorities, as well as the progress on Philippines-Australia security relationship and cooperation, particularly in exercises and training, capacity-building, countering terrorism and violent extremism, cybersecurity and law enforcement cooperation. END