This conference will explore the evolving Australia–Philippines relationship and the issues and opportunities shaping its shared future.
2026 Philippines Update - Sama-sama: The Philippines with Australia in a changing world
10–11 November 2026 | Australian National University
This year we commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and the Philippines. The milestone comes at a time when the present and future of both countries are so clearly intertwined through the deepening of defence cooperation and strategic partnership, growing economic interdependence, and by a shared vision of regional peace and prosperity.
The ANU Philippines Institute is proud to convene the 2026 Philippine Update conference to celebrate, as well as critically examine, how the Philippines navigates a changing world with Australia. Our programme will be led by a keynote lecture from former Philippine Ambassador to Australia Delia Albert who will offer reflections on the foreign policy agendas of the two countries and provide insights on how we can collectively address our current moment marked by rapid changes and reconfiguration of regional and global power.
The Update will also bring together leading experts from across the academy, government and civil society sectors from the Philippines and Australia. It will facilitate scholarly and policy dialogues to raise awareness on issues that define Australia-Philippine bilateral relations.
Our programme will include interactive sessions consisting of presentations and panel discussions on a range of issues relating to dynastic politics and democracy, the Philippines’ new upper-middle income status, Bangsamoro elections, and ‘Antipodean’ Philippine Studies among others.
Confirmed speakers to be announced.
Registration
Register for the conference via Humanitix.
Conference participation is free of charge and requires prior registration.
About the conference
The ANU Philippines Update is organised by the ANU Philippines Institute and receives support from the ANU College of Asia & Pacific and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Conference Program
We hope that you can join us in-person for this fully catered event with opportunities for networking. A recording of the proceedings will be published after the conclusion of the conference.
Day 1 - 10 Nov 2026
8:30 – 9:00 am: Registration
9:00 – 9:30 am: Land acknowledgment and welcome remarks
9:30 – 11:00 am: Panel 1. Philippine Foreign Policy: Actors, Relationships, and Issues
11:00 – 11:30 am: Morning merienda break
11:30 am – 1:00 pm: Panel 2. A Philippine Democracy without Dynasties and Other Political Reforms
1:00 – 2:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 – 3:30 pm: Panel 3. The Philippines as Upper-Middle-Income Country: Economic Implications
3:30 – 4:00 pm: Afternoon merienda break
4:00 – 4:30 pm: Closing remarks for day 1
5.30 – 7:00 pm: Keynote lecture on 80 Years of Philippine-Australian relations
7:00 – 8:00 pm: Cocktail reception
Day 2 - 11 Nov 2026
8:30 – 9:00 am: Registration
9:00 – 9:30 am: Welcome and Introduction to Day 2
9:30 – 11:00 am: Panel 4. Health as a Strategic Agenda for Philippines–Australia Partnership
11:00 – 11:30 am: Morning merienda break
11:30 am – 1:00 pm: Panel 5. Science and Education for National Development beyond Crises
1:00 – 2:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 – 3:30 pm: Panel 6. BARMM Post-election Analysis and Prognosis for Peace
3:30 – 4:00 pm: Afternoon merienda break
4:00 – 5:30 pm: Keynote panel: The present and future of ‘Antipodean’ Philippine studies
5.30 – 6:00 pm: Closing remarks