The Philippines is set to open its embassy in Kazakhstan next year, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said on Wednesday.

In an announcement during the 7th Katipunan Conference, Lazaro said this would be the first Philippine Embassy to operate in Central Asia, a “critically important” region for the Philippines’ push for increased economic engagement with more nations.

The Philippines established formal diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan on March 19, 1992.

Over the years, Manila has sought to develop active engagement with Astana by exploring and expanding areas of cooperation, particularly the enhancement of economic ties.

At present, the Philippine Embassy in Moscow exercises jurisdiction over Kazakhstan.

On top of the Central Asian state, Lazaro said a Philippine Embassy in Suva, Fiji, is slated for opening this year as the country seeks to solidify its outreach to the Small Island Developing States in the South Pacific.

Manila, she said, is also expanding its presence in Africa with a planned embassy in Ghana.

“We also seek new partnerships and have been aggressively expanding our diplomatic footprint,” Lazaro said.

“These new Embassies will help us open opportunities for cooperation, specifically on energy and critical minerals.” (PNA)