Marcos back in Philippines after APEC Summit

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. returned to the Philippines late Saturday evening after meetings with fellow world leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Thailand.
 
Marcos and the rest of the Philippine delegation arrived in Manila at 10:39 p.m.
 
In his report to the nation, Marcos said the summit allowed leaders and representatives from 21 member economies to discuss several issues, including climate change, supply chain, food supply, digitalization, and women empowerment.
 
“It was a very useful and productive process,” he said.
 
“It is very encouraging because the problems we have identified seem to be the same problems for most of the countries. In other words, we have a consonance of views and analysis on the things that are of concern.”
 
During the summit, Marcos urged APEC member economies to address the challenges confronting the region's service sector, particularly the shipping and logistics sectors, which serve as the backbone of global trade and investment.

He said countries must prioritize food security, continue to invest in pandemic preparedness, and ensure the resilience of the global health system.

“The ultimate aspiration is for the APEC region to return to its old role as a driver of the global economy. And if we do all the things that we are planning to do that will come back,” he said in his arrival speech. 

He also asked APEC leaders to address climate change, calling it “the greatest existential threat” affecting the region, as well as boost support for the digitalization of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“You start off talking about the economy, [and then] you end up somehow at some point talking about climate change. I think there will be a very strong push,” Marcos said.

The President had bilateral meetings with counterparts from China, Saudi Arabia, France, New Zealand, and Australia during the four-day trip.

“They now know me and they know what I'm about. They know what the Philippine position is on several issues,” he said.
 
Marcos also met with Thai businessmen and the Filipino community.  — VBL, GMA Integrated News