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Philippines-EU Reaffirm Partnership on Governance, Green Transition, Digital Economy, and Mindanao Development

29.10.2026 Press and information team of the Delegation to PHILIPPINES

The Philippines and the European Union (EU) reaffirmed their commitment under the EU-Philippines Partnership and Cooperation Agreement during the 6th Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Development Cooperation held in Manila, Philippines on October 1, 2026.

Philippines-EU Reaffirm Partnership on Governance, Green Transition, Digital Economy, and Mindanao D
© European Union

 

The meeting was co-chaired by Undersecretary Joven Z. Balbosa of the Department of Finance (DOF)-International Finance Group and Head of Unit South and South-East Asia from the European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnerships Ovidiu Mic.

The Sub-Committee conducted a comprehensive review of ongoing cooperation and investment programs, focusing on two priority areas: (1) the Mindanao peace process and good governance; and (2) the green and digital economy.

Both sides expressed their intent to deepen cooperation under Global Gateway and the Enhanced Partnership signed on 24 July 2026. Priority areas include sustainable connectivity, green transition, digital transformation, and inclusive growth, while continuing support for good governance and peace and development in Mindanao.

Discussions highlighted the development of Global Gateway investment projects for both Government-to-Government cooperation and the private sector level. Also covered were ongoing investment operations on climate resilience, disaster risk reduction and water access, reflecting the shared commitment to strengthening the country’s adaptive capacity amid climate impacts and development challenges. 

New investments in key areas, such as green transition, circular economy, environmental protection, development in Mindanao, and prospective loan financing will be supported with EU grants (blended finance) and EU guarantees to de-risk upfront investment risks.

Under the Europe Team Approach, the roles of the European Investment Bank (EIB), other European Development Finance Institutions (EDFIs), and the EU private sector will be crucial, alongside potential cooperation with multilateral development banks, particularly with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). 

The meeting also explored cooperation on the sustainable use of critical raw materials and recognised the relevance of regional cooperation within the framework of the EU-ASEAN Team Europe Initiatives, including the specific support for the seafarers’ action under the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package as well as the expansion of EU Copernicus Earth Observation actions from the Philippines to Southeast Asian countries.

The EU and the Philippines highlighted the strategic importance of the ASEAN Power Grid as a key initiative for regional connectivity, energy integration, and the green transition, and further welcomed ongoing Team Europe support in this area.

The discussions also considered the Philippines’ transition to an upper middle-income country (UMIC) status and the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) as an emerging platform for strategic connectivity and investment.

The Philippine Government was represented by the DOF, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Supreme Court, Court of Appeals (CA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).

The EU side was represented by the European Commission Directorate General for International Partnerships, EU Delegation to the Philippines, and the European Investment Bank.