Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo Meets with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Manila

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo and  UK Foreign Secretary The Rt. Hon. David Lammy MP signs the Joint Framework for the Philippines-UK Enhanced Partnership

MANILA 11 March 2025 – Following their meeting at the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in February 2025, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo welcomed UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP on 08 March 2025 in Manila. 

The Foreign Secretaries signed the Joint Framework for the Philippines-UK Enhanced Partnership that is envisioned to chart the depth and direction of PH-UK relations across various areas. The implementation of the Joint Framework is overseen by the yearly PH-UK Strategic Dialogue and driven by specific sectoral dialogue mechanisms on political, economic, defense, maritime, science and technology, and climate and environment cooperation, including climate change adaptation and resilience and biodiversity conservation. 

Prior to the signing of the Joint Framework, the Foreign  Secretaries met and discussed the deepening of PH-UK relations, particularly citing the growing trade and investment activities between the two countries. PH-UK bilateral trade has been recorded at GBP2.9 billion in recent years. The UK is  one of the country’s top sources of foreign direct investments.  UK investments, particularly in renewable energy, are expected to grow further, with recent UK investments in solar power projects in Nueva Ecija and Batangas amounting to more than USD600 million. 

Joint economic activities are foreseen to  expand with the establishment of the PH-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) , an economic dialogue led by senior economic officials, which will meet later this month in London. JETCO is expected to  develop cooperation in key areas of interests such as infrastructure development, agriculture, and energy, including renewables. 

Both Secretaries committed to the conclusion of an Implementing Arrangement under the 2024 MOU on Defense Cooperation. Secretary Manalo cited the two countries’ participation in joint military exercises and maritime patrols, as well as  the port calls and visits of British naval vessels in the country.

They also looked forward to the  conclusion of negotiations on  several draft agreements dealing  on health, information sharing to improve maritime domain awareness and climate financing.

Secretary Lammy reiterated the UK’s commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation.  Secretary Manalo thanked the UK for its humanitarian support, amounting to a pledge of GBP1 million, for the Philippines’ response to the various typhoons that hit the country in 2024. 

The Foreign  Secretaries also exchanged views on regional and global issues such as the South China Sea (SCS)/West Philippine Sea, ASEAN, Myanmar, Middle East and Ukraine. Secretary Manalo expressed appreciation for the UK's statement of support for the Philippines against coercive actions in the SCS.  Secretary Lammy reaffirmed the UK's commitment to the Philippines and to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Secretary Manalo reiterated that the Philippines will remain committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, and continues to engage parties through diplomacy and dialogue, as part of the Philippines’ adherence to  a rules-based international order. 

The Secretaries concluded the meeting with the exchange of commitment to sustain the high-level engagements between the Philippines and the UK as both countries prepare to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Philippine-UK Diplomatic Relations in 2026. END

Secretary Manalo meets with Secretary Lammy to discuss the PH-UK Enhanced Partnership and other regional and global issues.