The Department of National Defense (DND) hosted the 3rd Philippines-United Kingdom (UK) Joint Defense Committee (JDC) Meeting on July 6, 2023 in Makati City. Convened biennially, and co-chaired by ASec. Pablo M. Lorenzo, Assistant Secretary for Strategic Assessments and International Affairs of the DND, and Mr. Nick Gurr, Director for International Security of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the JDC exchanged updates on defense priorities amid changes in the regional and global security environment.

It was the first time that the JDC was reconvened since the launch of the “Enhanced Partnership” between the Philippines and the UK in November 2021, as well as UK’s deployment of its resident defense attaché to Manila in 2022.

Both sides committed to work towards building on the robust bilateral defense relations between the two countries through capacity building and defense industry cooperation. The two delegations also underscored fostering closer cooperation in multilateral fora, such those led by the ASEAN, with the view of contributing to a more inclusive and resilient region.

Following the JDC Meeting, Secretary of National Defense (SND) Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., met the British Ambassador and the UK MoD delegation during their courtesy call at the DND. The discussion highlighted advancing cooperation between the Philippines and the UK in the areas of defense industry, advanced education, as well as maritime and cyber security, among others. Both sides looked forward to enriching engagement as the UK endeavors to bring in constructive presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Philippine Navy (PN) and the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) also hosted roundtable discussions with the UK delegation on the sidelines of the JDC on July 5 and 6, 2023, respectively. These served as opportunities for conversation among defense practitioners and members of the academe on regional maritime challenges and cooperation.