President Marcos is scheduled to hold a trilateral conference call with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba this coming weekend, Malacañang announced.
“We can confirm that this is in the calendar of PBBM on January 12, Sunday,” Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez informed reporters in a message on Thursday.
While specific details of the discussion were not disclosed, the meeting is expected to cover key regional issues, including economic cooperation, security, and maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The three leaders have demonstrated a commitment to strengthening partnerships amid growing geopolitical challenges.
The Philippines, a long-time ally of the United States and a strategic partner of Japan, plays a crucial role in fostering regional stability and cooperation.
Further details about the agenda or potential outcomes of the call have yet to be announced.
The meeting between the long-standing allies follows the trilateral summit held in Washington last year, where the leaders discussed a broad range of issues, including security cooperation, infrastructure development, and regional economic resilience.
During the meeting, the US and Japan had vowed to support a range of projects in the Philippines including the implementation of the Open Radio Access Network, workforce development for the semiconductor industry, capacity building in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and the country’s membership in the Minerals Security Partnership Forum
Furthermore, the three countries also held a multilateral maritime cooperative activity in December last year in a bid to demonstrate joint commitment to safeguarding international waters and ensuring free navigation in the Indo-Pacific region in light of rising tensions in the West Philippines Sea.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Marcos, Biden, Ishiba set for trilateral phone call on January 12”
