The Philippine government has assumed the role of co-chair of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Southeast Asia Regional Program (SEARP) and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the program’s goals.
The Philippines now shares leadership of the OECD SEARP with Canada. It marks a significant milestone that underscores the country’s commitment to promoting sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven growth across Southeast Asia, according to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).
The handover ceremony took place on June 3 during the OECD 2025 Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM), held under the theme “Leading the Way Towards Resilient, Inclusive, and Sustainable Prosperity through Rules-Based Trade, Investment, and Innovation.”
Chaired by Costa Rica, and with Australia, Canada, and Lithuania serving as vice-chairs, the MCM highlighted the critical role of regional cooperation in addressing global challenges.
In his opening remarks, DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan emphasized the importance of the Philippines’ partnership with Canada, reflecting a shared vision for sustainable and inclusive development in the region.
“Through this co-chairship, we welcome the opportunity to exchange experiences with regional partners and collaborate on shared priorities—particularly in areas such as private sector engagement, digital economy advancement, and innovation promotion,” Balisacan said.
He noted the Philippines and Canada will collaborate to enhance engagement between Southeast Asian nations and the OECD, focusing on key global challenges such as sustainable infrastructure, corporate social responsibility, and inclusive economic development.
During the event’s breakout sessions, Balisacan outlined the Philippine government’s comprehensive strategy for enhancing economic resilience amid a fragmented global trade environment. He emphasized key priorities, including strategic trade diversification and upgrading, harnessing digital transformation for inclusive growth, and adopting pragmatic approaches to artificial intelligence governance and international collaboration.
The two-day OECD 2025 MCM, held from June 3 to 4 in Paris, brought together OECD member states and non-member partner countries to collectively pursue the shared goals of resilient, inclusive, and sustainable prosperity.
