Press release

UK Minister of State for Indo-Pacific visits the Philippines

UK Minister for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan visits Philippines to launch development partnership, strengthen maritime engagement.

  • Minister for the Indo-Pacific to launch British Investment Partnerships in the Philippines, boosting UK-backed investment in green energy and infrastructure
  • Minister to hold talks covering UK-Philippines cooperation on maritime security, trade and investment, and climate and environment.
  • Minister to attend event promoting women’s rights, and highlighting the launch of the UK’s first Women and Girls Strategy this month
  • visit comes after the publication of the Integrated Review Refresh, which reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to enduring partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.

UK Minister for Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, will this week visit Manila (30 to 31 March) to formally launch British Investment Partnerships (BIP) in the Philippines. Working with the Philippine government and private sector partners, BIP will mobilise high-quality, reliable investment and technical expertise to support sustainable infrastructure development and the transition to clean energy in the Philippines.

BIP builds on ongoing work by UK development finance institutions, which provide funding and expertise to support resilient growth in the Philippines. This includes the UK’s Mobilist programme, which is investing in green energy, including $25 million in financing for the Philippines’ first solar plants on Negros Island. British International Investment (BII), the UK’s longstanding development finance programme, will also expand investment in green infrastructure projects in the Philippines.

Minister for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

The Philippines is an economic and environmental powerhouse, which stands on the frontline of climate change and other global challenges.

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

The Minister will visit the headquarters of the Philippine Coast Guard, where she will join a tour of a Coast Guard vessel and Manila Bay, and discuss enhanced UK-Philippines cooperation on maritime security and marine conservation.

While in Manila, Minister Trevelyan will meet Secretary of Foreign Affairs Manalo, as well as defence, finance and environment ministers. Talks are expected to focus on defence, trade and climate links and the shared ambition to upgrade the UK-Philippines Enhanced Partnership.

Finally, the Minister will attend an event hosted by the British Embassy Manila to mark International Women’s Month, where she will outline the UK’s commitment to place 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 pioneer change in their sectors.

Published 30 March 2023