Karol Nawrocki begins official visit to the Philippines for G20 talks and IT summit

Diplomatic outreach and the G20 strategy

Polish President Karol Nawrocki and First Lady Marta Nawrocka arrived in Manila for a three-day official visit beginning on Tuesday, 6 October 2026. The journey represents the first official visit by a Polish head of state to the Philippines across more than 50 years of formal bilateral relations between Warsaw and Manila. Presidential Minister Marcin Przydacz stated before departure that the diplomatic outreach forms part of Poland's broader international campaign linked to the G20 framework ahead of the December summit in Miami. Przydacz explained that Warsaw seeks to build dialogue with emerging economies across the Global South, with subsequent presidential trips planned for destinations in the Middle East, Africa, and South America to demonstrate a global diplomatic focus beyond Europe and the United States.

Although the Philippines is not in the G20, it chairs ASEAN this year, which brings together virtually all Southeast Asian nations. And we want, as part of Poland's activity in the G20, to talk also with this region, which is growing exceptionally strongly and is exceptionally ambitious.

Bilateral talks and state agenda in Manila

The official state program opens on Tuesday with a formal wreath-laying ceremony led by Karol Nawrocki at the monument to José Rizal, the Philippine national hero, writer, and socio-political activist. Following the tribute in Manila, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his spouse will formally welcome the Polish presidential couple at the presidential palace grounds. The leaders will hold a restricted tête-à-tête meeting before leading expanded delegation talks focused on bilateral cooperation. Both presidents will address accredited media in a joint press briefing, followed by an official dinner hosted by President Marcos and the First Lady in honor of the visiting Polish delegation.

Economic ties, IT summit, and university address

Commercial cooperation forms the second focal point of the visit, with Polish business delegations seeking to expand exports into Southeast Asia. On Wednesday, 7 October, Karol Nawrocki will participate in the opening ceremony of the 5th Poland-Philippines IT Business Summit and review projects with participants in a bilateral hackathon. At midday, the Polish president will deliver an academic lecture to students at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, which stands as the oldest existing university in Asia. The Wednesday itinerary will conclude with an evening forum connecting Polish and Filipino business executives, followed by an official meeting with members of the local Polish diaspora and individuals recognized for advancing bilateral ties.

The Philippines has nearly 120 million people, fairly young, with an average age of 25, and a strongly growing market. Polish entrepreneurs are interested in this market.

Defense cooperation and Black Hawk fleet review

Diplomatic messaging ahead of the visit also emphasized shared cultural foundations between Poland and the Philippines as Christian countries, as well as a mutual commitment to international law and multilateral diplomacy stemming from their non-colonial histories. Economic interests span the agri-food trade, information and communications technology, and defense procurement. On Thursday, 8 October, the final day of the itinerary, Karol Nawrocki will visit the Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base in Manila. The base serves as the operational facility for Black Hawk helicopters manufactured by PZL Mielec in Poland and delivered to the Philippine Air Force.