Philippine-Australian Partnership Highlighted in FSI Forum
Ambassador HK Yu delivers her lecture at FSI’s 13th Ambassadors’ Lecture Series.
MANILA 11 June 2025 — The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) held its 13th Ambassadors’ Lecture Series (ALS) at the temporary headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay on 29 May 2025. Australian Ambassador HK Yu delivered her lecture entitled “Philippines-Australia Strategic Partnership: More Important Than Ever.”
Ambassador Yu highlighted the deep and long-standing relationship between the two countries, noting the upcoming celebration of the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.
As her tenure concludes in July 2025, Ambassador Yu reflected on the cooperation between the Philippines and Australia over the past three years, categorizing it into four key areas: (1) defense and security, (2) development, (3) trade and investment, and (4) people-to-people links.
Ambassador Yu underscored the decades-long military cooperation between the two countries. She pointed out that Australia is only the second country after the United States to have a Visiting Forces Agreement with the Philippines.
She also shared details about a forensics-focused project, emphasizing its importance for the Philippines—to help ensure a fair and evidence-based justice system and to have public health policies better informed, among others.
In addition, Ambassador Yu noted that two-way trade and investment between the two countries can be improved. Recognizing this, the Australian government launched its “Invested: Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.”
Highlighting the strong people-to-people ties, Ambassador Yu stated: “The Filipino diaspora is Australia’s fifth largest and they contribute enormously to Australia’s society and economy.”
Further, Ambassador Yu outlined their upcoming programs focused on key areas such as education, economic growth development program, and climate resilience.
The FSI launched the ALS as a platform for heads of diplomatic missions in the Philippines to share their knowledge, priorities, and advocacy.
FSI is the training and research agency attached to DFA. It was created under Presidential Decree No. 1060 and its remit was expanded by Republic Act No. 7157. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs chairs the FSI Board with the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Director General of FSI, President of the University of the Philippines (UP), and President of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) as members. END
Ambassador HK Yu responds to questions from the audience.
FSI Director General Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III presents to Ambassador HK Yu a token of appreciation after the lecture.