President Ferdinand R.Marcos Jr.and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have formally announced the elevation of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Canada, signalling a stronger and more structured partnership moving forward.

Following a one-on-one meeting and expanded bilateral discussions between their respective delegations, both leaders expressed commitment to deepening cooperation across key sectors including energy, natural resources, tourism, culture, labor, and migration.

One of the key highlights of the engagement was the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent on Energy and Natural Resources Cooperation, which is expected to pave the way for increased collaboration in sustainable energy development and resource management.In addition to economic and cultural ties, both countries also reinforced their security and defence cooperation.

The leaders directed their respective Foreign Ministers to draft a Plan of Action that will build on existing agreements, including the recently signed Status of Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement.

These frameworks are seen as important steps in strengthening interoperability and defence readiness between the two nations amid evolving regional security concerns.

President Marcos also expressed appreciation for Canada’s continued support for a rules-based international order, particularly in relation to the South China Sea, as the Philippines marks a decade since the 2016 Arbitral Award.Both sides acknowledged the growing importance of partnerships among like-minded countries in addressing geopolitical volatility.

Overall, the engagement reflects a strategic shift towards a more comprehensive and future-oriented Philippines-Canada relationship anchored on shared interests and global cooperation.