The Philippines and Canada will work together to enhance engagement between Southeast Asian nations and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Philippines chief economist said on Thursday.
They will focus on key global challenges such as sustainable infrastructure, corporate social responsibility and inclusive economic development, the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) said in a statement.
The Philippines now shares leadership of the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP) with Canada.
The Philippines views this leadership transition, announced during the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting on June 3 in Paris, as marking a pivotal moment in advancing inclusive, sustainable and resilient growth across Southeast Asia.
Canada and the Philippines took over the helm from Australia and Vietnam, whose co-chairmanship from 2022 to 2025 saw major strides in economic resilience, trade and investment liberalization, and climate-digital synergy.
Hanoi and Canberra’s tenure culminated in the first-ever Memorandum of Understanding between the OECD and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
In his opening remarks at the Paris meeting, DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan emphasized the importance of the Philippines’ partnership with Canada, which he said reflects a shared vision for sustainable and inclusive development in the region.
“We are committed to ensuring the Southeast Asia Regional Programme remains adaptive to evolving needs while building upon our established achievements,” he said.
This co-chairmanship with Canada will foster deeper engagement between Southeast Asian nations and the OECD to focus on global challenges, Balisacan said.
“Through this co-chairmanship, 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,” he added.
With this new co-leadership, Canada brings to the table its long-standing commitment to inclusive governance, climate action, and innovation-driven growth.
As a country known for its progressive development policies and robust economic institutions, Canada is well-positioned to help shape SEARP’s agenda in areas such as digital inclusion, green transitions, and equitable economic development.
Launched in 2014, SEARP has become the OECD’s primary platform for engaging with the dynamic and rapidly growing Southeast Asian region.
The program promotes dialogue and policy exchange between OECD member countries and Asean nations. It plays a vital role in supporting domestic reforms, facilitating economic integration, and encouraging innovation and digital transformation.
“Recognizing Southeast Asia’s unique climate vulnerabilities, the Programme will be a platform to tackle climate action through coordinated adaptation and mitigation strategies, green finance solutions and knowledge sharing on sustainable development practices,” Balisacan said.
The Philippines brings to this role a deep understanding of the region’s diverse economies, valuable experience in navigating complex development challenges and an unwavering commitment to inclusive growth.
“We envision the Programme as a dynamic platform that not only facilitates policy dialogue but also drives tangible improvements in the lives of our people,” Balisacan said.
He conveyed his gratitude to the OECD, the outgoing co-chairs Australia and Vietnam, and all member countries and regional partners for entrusting Canada and the Philippines with “this critical responsibility.”
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.
