PR-59-2025

06 June 2025, Ottawa – Philippine Ambassador to Canada H.E. Maria Andrelita S. Austria met with the Hon. Randeep Sarai, MP, following the latter’s appointment as Canada’s Secretary of State (International Development). The Ambassador was previously acquainted with the Secretary of State, who represents  Surrey Centre, during her time as the Philippine Consul General in Vancouver.

The Ambassador remarked on the long-history of developmental partnership between the Philippines and Canada. She noted the success of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy in revitalizing cooperation between the two countries, including high-level consultations and visits to the Philippines by previous ministers of international development.

Secretary of State Sarai remarked that his portfolio is an important part of Canada’s soft power diplomacy and that they are looking at how to make Canada’s presence more visible across the Indo-Pacific region.

Both sides agreed that it is important to build on the success of previous projects and that there is a need to focus resources and efforts on highly impactful projects and programs. /END