MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that Palestinian Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin is conducting an official visit to the Philippines from 16 to 21 November 2025.
According to the DFA, Minister Shahin is set to undertake a series of official engagements while in the country.
DFA Secretary Theresa P. Lazaro and Shahin is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, to discuss various issues.
"Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro is scheduled to meet with her Palestinian counterpart on 18 November 2025, during which both sides are expected to discuss regional and international issues, and practical ways and means to strengthen bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest," the DFA mentioned.
Foreign Minister Shahin is the highest official of the Palestinian Authority to visit the Philippines since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries 36 years ago, on 04 September 1989, the DFA said.
She also conducted a lecture at the Foreign Service Institute on Monday, 17 November 2025 entitled, “The Palestinian Predicament: Latest Developments in Gaza and the West Bank”.
The Philippines maintains its support for the “two-state solution”, as the only viable path towards a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region, the DFA stated.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel which started the armed conflict in Gaza. The fighting killed approximately 1,200 and 250 hostages.
On October 10, the first phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect, with Israel releasing more than 1,000 Palestinians being held in Israeli prisons and the Hamas, in return, agreeing to free the 20 remaining living hostages and turning over the remains of 25 deceased hostages.
Foreign governments and aid organisations welcomed the ceasefire but tensions remained and ceasefire violations continue as Israel launches airstrikes on Gaza, with the humanitarian situation reportedly worsening due to the attacks.
