MANILA, Aug 18 — Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan arrived here tonight to lead the Malaysian delegation at the ninth Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), today.

Mohamad arrived at around 9.40pm at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, ahead of the Ministerial Meeting scheduled to be held at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) this morning.

Upon arrival, he was welcomed by Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Datuk Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, while Wisma Putra Deputy Secretary-General (Bilateral Affairs) Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin and other officials welcomed him at the hotel.

During the meeting, Mohamad will co-chair the session with Philippines Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, which will conclude with the signing of the Agreed Minutes.

The two-day JCM is the highest bilateral mechanism between Malaysia and the Philippines, with the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) having begun yesterday.

Among the key issues on the agenda are strengthening bilateral trade, driving cross-border investments and enhancing regional economic resilience.

The two ministers are also expected to explore expanded cooperation in the halal and Islamic finance ecosystem, energy, agriculture and food security, defence and security cooperation, as well as disaster management and emergency response. — Bernama