British Minister for the Indo-Pacific visits the Philippines

• Indo-Pacific Secretary launches UK Investment Partnerships in Philippines to boost UK-backed green energy and infrastructure investments
• The minister will hold talks on UK-Philippines cooperation on maritime security, trade and investment, and climate and environment.
• Minister to attend an event promoting women’s rights and highlighting the launch of the UK’s first strategy on women and girls this month
• The visit follows the release of the Integrated Review Refresh, which reaffirms the UK’s commitment to its partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.

British Minister for Indo-Pacific Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan will visit Manila this week (30-31 March). Minister Trevelyan will meet with President Marcos and Secretary of State Manalo, as well as defense, finance and environment ministers. The talks are expected to focus on defence, trade and climate links and the shared goal of enhancing the UK-Philippines enhanced partnership. The Minister will also meet members of the House of Representatives to launch an interparliamentary dialogue between the UK and the Philippines.

During his visit to Manila, the minister will officially set up British Investment Partnerships (BIP) in the Philippines. In collaboration with the Philippine government and private sector partners, BIP will mobilize high-quality, reliable investments and technical expertise to support sustainable infrastructure development and the clean energy transition in the Philippines.

BIP builds on the ongoing work of UK Development Finance Institutions, which are providing funds and expertise to support stable growth in the Philippines. These include the UK’s Mobilist program, which is investing in green energy and other projects, including $25 million to fund the Philippines’ first solar arrays on Negros Island. British International Investment (BII), the UK’s longstanding development finance scheme, will also expand investment in green infrastructure projects in the Philippines.

The FCDO is also entering into a partnership agreement with the Philippine Stock Exchange for the MOBILIST program to provide another source of capital to support climate change in the Philippines.

Indo-Pacific Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

The Philippines is an economic and environmental powerhouse that is at the forefront of climate change and other global challenges.

Through British Investment Partnerships, we will support the development of quality, sustainable infrastructure to accelerate the clean energy transition and ensure the Philippines a prosperous and resilient future.

The Minister will also visit the Philippine Coast Guard Headquarters, where she will take a tour on a Coast Guard vessel and in Manila Bay, and will discuss enhanced UK-Philippines cooperation on maritime security and marine conservation issues.

Finally, the Minister will attend an event hosted by the British Embassy in Manila to mark International Women’s Month, where she will outline the UK’s commitment to placing the rights of women and girls at the heart of its foreign policy. She will meet women leaders from government, business and civil society who are driving change in their sectors.