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Australian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Marc Innes Brown: “Philippines is a priority for Australia”

4 June (Thursday) 2026 – During his keynote speech to the members of the Makati Business Club, His Excellency Marc Innes-Brown PSM, Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines, underscores several initiatives that are deepening the 80th year of bilateral relations between the two countries. 

“Over the past 80 years, Australia has stood alongside the Philippines in times of conflict, humanitarian crisis, and regional challenges. We have built a partnership that spans defence and maritime security, trade and investment, education, development, policing, and people-to-people exchanges,” said Ambassador Innes-Brown. 

In his remarks, the ambassador also emphasized that “Philippines is a priority for Australia,” with a series of key Australian leaders expected to visit the country to attend ASEAN related meetings and to support the Philippines’ Chairship throughout the year. 

Ambassador Innes-Brown served as the speaker for the third session of MBC’s Foreign Leader Series this year, where he addressed over 90 representatives from business, government, diplomatic corps, and media. Distinguished attendees include MBC Chairman Ed Chua, MBC Trustees Riza Mantaring, Dr. Aris Alip, and Ambassador of Switzerland to the Philippines, H.E. Nicholas Brühl. 

The event also featured a fireside chat with the Ambassador. Moderated by JP Orbeta of ACEN, key topics discussed were Australia’s investment priorities, as well as cooperation efforts in peace, security and maritime issues. 

MBC Chairman Ed Chua thanked Ambassador Innes-Brown for his participation and drew attention to key aspects of the two countries’ friendship. “Australia’s geographic proximity, dynamic cooperation across multiple sectors, and growing community of around four hundred thousand people of Filipino heritage make Australia a very important, reliable, and trusted friend of the Philippines.”

In 2023, Australia and the Philippines entered into a Strategic Partnership, which aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in economy, security, and defense, among other priorities. In the same year, Australia launched “Invested: Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040,” a long-term regional economic integration plan, which was spearheaded by Ambassador Innes-Brown as lead author. The Ambassador mentioned clean energy, infrastructure, education and skills, agriculture, resources and the digital economy, as areas for investment opportunities in the country under Invested 2040.

MBC’s Foreign Leaders Series organizes high-level dialogues between the business sector and the country’s key diplomatic partners, to promote trade and investment opportunities, and other areas of mutual interest. 

This event is sponsored by SGV & Co. (Platinum Sponsor) and BPI AIA (Bronze Sponsor).

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