MANILA, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- The ninth Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) began today at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) here, with senior officials from both countries meeting to advance bilateral cooperation and mutual interests.
According to the event programme, the JCM began with the Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) today, followed by a meeting of the Drafting Committee.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will lead the Malaysian delegation at the Ministerial Meeting tomorrow morning, where he will co-chair the meeting with Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro.
The Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) said the JCM is the highest bilateral mechanism between Malaysia and the Philippines.
"The Ninth JCM will, among others, prioritise discussions on strengthening bilateral trade, driving robust cross-border investments and enhancing regional economic resilience.
"Both Ministers are expected to explore expanded cooperation in key sectors, including the halal and Islamic finance ecosystem, energy cooperation, agriculture and food security, as well as defence, security cooperation and disaster management and emergency response," Wisma Putra said.
The Ministerial Meeting tomorrow will be followed by a working luncheon, with the Agreed Minutes scheduled to be signed around noon.
The Ninth JCM will also follow up on discussions held during the Eighth JCM in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 15 and 16, 2024.
Malaysia and the Philippines share a long-standing partnership, with the two countries having celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2024.
On the economic front, the Philippines ranked as Malaysia’s 17th-largest trading partner and fifth-largest within ASEAN in 2025, while Malaysia was the Philippines’ ninth-largest trading partner globally and fourth-largest within ASEAN.
Total trade between Malaysia and the Philippines stood at RM35.21 billion (US$8.22 billion), while bilateral trade from January to May 2026 increased 9.5 per cent to RM16.71 billion (US$4.21 billion), from RM15.26 billion (US$3.46 billion) in the same period last year.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will lead the Malaysian delegation at the Ministerial Meeting tomorrow morning, where he will co-chair the meeting with Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro.
The Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) said the JCM is the highest bilateral mechanism between Malaysia and the Philippines.
"The Ninth JCM will, among others, prioritise discussions on strengthening bilateral trade, driving robust cross-border investments and enhancing regional economic resilience.
"Both Ministers are expected to explore expanded cooperation in key sectors, including the halal and Islamic finance ecosystem, energy cooperation, agriculture and food security, as well as defence, security cooperation and disaster management and emergency response," Wisma Putra said.
The Ministerial Meeting tomorrow will be followed by a working luncheon, with the Agreed Minutes scheduled to be signed around noon.
The Ninth JCM will also follow up on discussions held during the Eighth JCM in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 15 and 16, 2024.
Malaysia and the Philippines share a long-standing partnership, with the two countries having celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2024.
On the economic front, the Philippines ranked as Malaysia’s 17th-largest trading partner and fifth-largest within ASEAN in 2025, while Malaysia was the Philippines’ ninth-largest trading partner globally and fourth-largest within ASEAN.
Total trade between Malaysia and the Philippines stood at RM35.21 billion (US$8.22 billion), while bilateral trade from January to May 2026 increased 9.5 per cent to RM16.71 billion (US$4.21 billion), from RM15.26 billion (US$3.46 billion) in the same period last year.