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Rabat – Newly appointed UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has made the Philippines his first overseas destination, traveling to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting less than 24 hours after taking office as part of the new British government’s effort to strengthen international partnerships.
Miliband is attending the ASEAN-UK Post Ministerial Conference in Manila, where he is expected to outline the UK’s foreign policy, with emphasis on democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and cooperation with international partners.
According to the UK Foreign Office, Miliband will stress that security in the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic is increasingly connected, making partnerships with regional organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) more important than ever.
The visit comes immediately after Miliband’s first day in office, during which he received security briefings on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and national security. He also met with King Charles III, senior intelligence officials from GCHQ and MI6, and held his first conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
On the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings, Miliband is expected to hold bilateral talks with several international counterparts, including representatives from the European Union, the United States, China, India, Canada, Australia, Japan, Ukraine, and Southeast Asian countries.
His expected meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will focus on reaffirming the close UK-US relationship following the first phone call between UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump.
Read also: Andy Burnham Replaces Keir Starmer as UK’s Seventh Prime Minister in a Decade
Miliband is also expected to meet EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas to discuss strengthening the UK’s strategic partnership with the European Union, which the British government describes as essential to the country’s prosperity and security.
Climate action, international development, and reform of global institutions are also expected to feature prominently during the meetings.
Speaking to Foreign Office staff before departing for the Philippines, Miliband said the UK would continue to support Ukraine against Russia’s invasion while working with partners to help reduce tensions in the Middle East.
“We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine against Russia’s invasion,” he said. He also called for efforts to end the conflict involving Iran, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and achieve “a sustainable peace in Palestine and Israel, including an end to the terrible suffering of the people of Gaza and ensuring security for the people of Palestine and Israel.”
Miliband also underlined the importance of multilateral cooperation, saying the UK would continue working through institutions such as NATO and the United Nations while strengthening ties with Europe, the United States, and countries across the Global South.
Miliband’s visit comes as the new Labour government seeks to reassert Britain’s role on the global stage after years of political instability at home. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office on July 20, became the seventh UK prime minister since 2016, highlighting the country’s recent political turnover.
The new administration has pledged to restore political stability at home while strengthening the UK’s partnerships with allies and international institutions.
