Australia pledges funding for ASEAN security and maritime aid during Sen. Penny Wong Manila visit

Launch of Education Quality for Inclusive Prosperity (EQUIP) education and skills program at the Mariano Marcos Memorial High School on Tuesday 21 July 2026. Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, Philippines from 20-23 July 2026. Credit: Daniel Walding/Daniel Walding / Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong visited Manila to reinforce regional security partnerships and announce multi-million-dollar support packages for maritime defence and education.

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Key Points

• Australia committed 11 million AUD to a new political security partnership with ASEAN focused on regional conflict prevention.
• Foreign Minister Wong announced 18 million AUD in expanded maritime assistance to the Philippines alongside 10 million AUD for drone technology and coast guard training.
• Australia pledged 1.6 billion pesos to support educational reforms for senior secondary students across the Philippines.

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