6th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation Heralds Renaissance in Philippines-Canada Relations

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma.Theresa Lazaro led the Philippine delegation to the 6th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in Ottawa, Canada on 12 October 2023. 

CANADA 18 October 2023 – The Philippines and Canada held the 6th session of their Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation on 12 October 2023 in Ottawa, Canada. 

DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro, who led the Philippine delegation, described the latest round as promising a “renaissance” in  Philippines-Canada engagement, as she undertook frank and robust discussions with counterparts from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Department of Fisheries and Oceans; Department of National Defense; and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, led by GAC Assistant Deputy Minister Weldon Epp. 

Both delegations shared updates on their respective governments’ political and economic priorities. They also discussed their governments’ mutual interest on the establishment of a working group on critical minerals and energy transition; a Canadian Trade mission to the Philippines in 2024; the future signing of the PHL-CA MOU on Defense Cooperation; pursuing scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM), marine sciences and ocean governance; establishing a maritime dialogue; cooperation in cyber security, especially in protecting critical infrastructure sectors; expanding the coverage of the existing  PH-Canada agricultural cooperation; and pursuing an MOU on development cooperation. 

Undersecretary Lazaro and Associate Deputy Minister Cindy Thermoshuizen of Global Affairs Canada, who joined the Canadian delegation in a working lunch, likewise found common ground in highlighting people to people ties in the preparation for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

The 6th JCBC was capped with the signing of the Philippine-Canada Arrangement on Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection System aimed to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF) and enhance the Philippines’ maritime domain awareness. END

The Philippine and Canadian delegations to the 6th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in Ottawa, Canada on 12 October 2023.