The Philippines and Canada have agreed to deepen cooperation in energy and natural resources as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney elevated bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership during their meeting in Vancouver.

The two leaders welcomed the signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent Concerning Energy and Natural Resources Cooperation, which is one of several documents signed during Marcos’ visit to Canada.

The agreement covers cooperation on energy security, economic security, sustainable economic growth, resilient supply chains, and responsible natural resource development in support of economic prosperity and the global energy transition.

“I am also glad to have witnessed today the signing of bilateral understandings and declarations of cooperation in the areas of energy, and natural resources cooperation, tourism, culture, and labor and migration,” Marcos said in a joint press statement with Carney at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

“These agreements will help us harness the strong people-to-people ties between our two countries, as we jointly build capacities and create a mutually beneficial talent pipeline for the future,” he added.

The joint statement said the energy and natural resources declaration includes the launch of an annual government-to-government energy cooperation dialogue between the Philippines and Canada.

The two countries also welcomed growing cooperation in clean energy, including nuclear energy, and agreed to deepen collaboration on sustainable infrastructure, disaster resilience, and food security.

The leaders highlighted energy, agriculture, mining, infrastructure, digital technologies, space, and defence industries as priority sectors for cooperation.

They also welcomed a joint technical partnership in geoscience to help advance cooperation and investment opportunities between the two countries.

The statement also recognized progress in the ASEAN Power Grid, which aims to strengthen regional energy security and renewable energy integration. The initiative is one of the Philippines’ priority economic deliverables during its ASEAN Chairship.

Marcos and Carney also recognized the importance of sustainable and resilient supply chains, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and inclusive, rules-based economic growth.

Canada’s participation in the Luzon Economic Corridor Partnership includes an initial CAD 2 million contribution to support technical assistance and efforts to mobilize investment, according to the joint statement.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their shared commitment to conclude a meaningful Philippines-Canada Free Trade Agreement, citing strong economic complementarities and bilateral merchandise trade that reached CAD 3.4 billion in 2025.

Beyond energy and natural resources, the broader Strategic Partnership covers defence and security, trade and investment, people-to-people ties, migration, tourism, culture, and maritime cooperation.

The leaders directed their foreign ministers to develop a forward-looking plan of action to guide the next phase of cooperation and sustain the momentum in bilateral relations.

Can the new Philippines-Canada energy dialogue translate strategic cooperation into concrete clean energy, mining, and supply chain investments?

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