Poland in the Philippines

Upon arrival, the Presidential Couple was welcomed by representatives of the Philippine hosts, including Secretary of Economy, Planning, and Development Arsenio M. Balisacan, as well as by the Head of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Manila, Chargé d’affaires a.i. Katarzyna Wilkowiecka, Defense Attaché Col. Jacek Buratyński, and Embassy staff.

The official part of the visit of the President of the Republic of Poland to the Philippines took place on October 6, beginning with a wreath-laying ceremony at the José Rizal Monument in Luneta Park. The next items on the agenda were the official welcome ceremony and bilateral talks at Malacañang Presidential Palace. The bilateral discussions concluded with a joint press conference by both Presidents. The official program culminated in an official dinner hosted by the President of the Republic of the Philippines and the First Lady in honor of the Polish Presidential Couple.

On October 7, the President opened the 5th Poland–Philippines IT Business Summit, organized by the PAIH Foreign Trade Office in Manila, the Spiderhook group, iACADEMY, and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the Philippines. The summit was accompanied by a 24-hour hackathon, whose participants also met briefly with President Nawrocki.

President K. Nawrocki also visited the Catholic University of Santo Tomas, where he toured the museum and archives, whose collections include, among others, a priceless copy of Nicolaus Copernicus’s work "On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres". The President also delivered a 45-minute lecture entitled "From Shared History to a Shared Future" before an audience of over 200 people.

The next item on the agenda was a meeting with the Secretary and Lead Convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, Philippine boxing legend and social advocate, Mr. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao.

In the evening, the President met with selected representatives of Polish and Philippine businesses operating in both markets, as well as with the Polish community and individuals engaged in promoting Poland in the Philippines. The highlight of the gathering with the Polish community was the presentation of state decorations to individuals distinguished for their contributions to the development of Polish–Philippine relations. The President awarded the Gold Cross of Merit to Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Fernandino Lising, and to Mr. Józef Sarach. The Silver Cross of Merit was awarded to Sister Agata Sobczyk and Mr. Maciej Śmigielski. In turn, the Bronze Cross of Merit was presented to Mr. Maciej Kurjański and Ms. Weronika Stącel.

On the final day of the visit, the Presidential Couple toured Intramuros, and prior to departure, the President inspected the S-70i Black Hawk helicopters manufactured at PZL Mielec and currently in service with the Philippine Air Force.

Throughout his meetings and public addresses, the President repeatedly emphasized that the visit to the Philippines reflects Poland’s growing interest in cooperation with Southeast Asia. The Philippines and ASEAN represent an important area of business, trade, and economic opportunities for Poland and Europe as a whole, and Poland aims to be an active partner for the countries of the region: politically, economically, and in the field of security.

More information about the visit can be found on the website of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland and on social media.

 

Diplomatic relations between Poland and the Philippines were established on September 22, 1973. Since then, cooperation between our countries has developed steadily—across the political, trade, and cultural spheres, as well as through people-to-people contacts. The ties connecting Poland and the Philippines have a rich tradition, reaching back to the activities of Polish Jesuits in the 17th century and extending to contemporary visits by members of the government and the President of the Republic of Poland.

2026 holds a special place in the history of our relations, marking a record number of high-level visits, including the most significant one—that of the President of the Republic of Poland and the First Lady.

The visit took place at a pivotal moment in the relations between our states. At a time when both countries are experiencing the repercussions of conflicts in third countries, international cooperation carries even greater significance. A clear expression of this cooperation is Poland’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia during the Philippine Chairmanship of the ASEAN group.