By Erica Mae P. Sinaking And Chloe Marie A Hufana, reporter
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. will promote Philippine economic interests and pursue deeper regional cooperation in 32.Ra The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economic leaders will meet in Gyeongju, South Korea later this month, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday.
Mr. Marcos will attend the summit from October 30 to November 2 at the invitation of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and will be joined by leaders of all 21 APEC member economies, DFA spokeswoman Angelica C. Escalona told a livestream news briefing in Malacañang.
“The President's participation is focused on advancing the Philippines' economic interests, building deeper ties with APEC members, and reaffirming our commitment to APEC's vision of a more open, prosperous and dynamic Asia-Pacific,” he said.
The two-day leaders' meeting is expected to produce four key outcome documents – a leaders' declaration and three statements focusing on artificial intelligence, demographic change and cultural and creative industries.
“These themes reflect the priorities set by Korea as this year's APEC host and deal with trends affecting economic growth across the region,” Ms Escalona said.
Mr Marcos will also attend leaders' talks with the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and deliver remarks at the APEC Chief Executives Summit, where he is expected to discuss technology, innovation and regional economic integration with top business executives.
“The President is expected to highlight new technologies and economic integration,” Ms Escalona said.
The DFA said Mr. Marcos' visit is aimed at attracting investment and strengthening trade cooperation, especially with South Korea, one of the Philippines' major economic partners.
The President is scheduled to meet business leaders from key sectors and the Filipino community in Busan, where more than 70,000 Filipinos live, including more than 42,000 foreign workers employed in manufacturing, agriculture, fishing, professional services, entertainment and domestic work.
The visit comes after the Department of Finance (DOF) clarified that the previously reported P28 billion official development assistance (ODA) loan to South Korea “does not exist.”
Ms. Escalona said the matter “is considered closed,” adding that “the Korean government has already assured us of its continued support to pursue development cooperation with the Philippines.”
Asked whether Mr Marcos would raise the South China Sea dispute amid tensions with China, Ms Escalona said the issue fell outside APEC's mandate, which is to “facilitate trade and investment and promote sustainable development”.
He said bilateral meetings with other leaders were still being finalised.
Mr Marcos was in Kuala Lumpur for 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and related summits from 26 to 28 October. He was joined at APEC by Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, Trade Secretary Maria Cristina A. Roque, Migrant Labor Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacadac, Acting Communications Secretary Dave M. Gomez and Special Assistant for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick D. Go.
32Ra The APEC summit will serve as an important platform for Manila to emphasize its innovation agenda, expand trade opportunities and align with regional efforts towards sustainable, technology-driven development.
ASEAN presidency
Meanwhile, the Philippines has officially assumed the chairmanship of ASEAN. Manila's term will begin on January 1, 2026. It last hosted the regional block in 2017.
“We are committed to moving forward [Malaysia’s] “Implementing ASEAN Community Vision 2045 with speed and purpose and determination in its first year,” Mr. Marcos said during the turnover ceremony. “We are similarly dedicated to facilitating the further integration of Timor-Leste into the ASEAN family.”
“The Philippines will continue to strengthen the foundations of our peace and security, strengthen our prosperity corridors, and advance the empowerment of our people,” he said.
The regional bloc is made up of 11 member countries, the fifth largest economy in the world. It welcomed Timor-Leste as its newest member on Sunday.
The ASEAN Chairmanship serves as the bloc's facilitator and spokesperson, setting the agenda and leading discussions on regional priorities. The term of office of the President is one year and each year runs in alphabetical order.
Mr Marcos had earlier said one of the Philippines' priorities for its chairmanship was the enactment of a legally binding code of conduct in the South China Sea as tensions with Beijing continue.
Meanwhile, in separate meetings with Australia and New Zealand, Mr Marcos called for stronger cooperation in the areas of peace, prosperity, people-to-people exchanges and environmental protection.
At the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit, he commended New Zealand's “consistent recognition of ASEAN centrality” over the past 50 years and said elevating their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership would open new avenues of cooperation under the umbrella of peace, prosperity, people and planet.
The President in his intervention speech highlighted maritime cooperation initiatives, including New Zealand's participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum Workshops on Implementing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Marine Debris Workshop, which he said helped build regional capacity to address maritime challenges.
They also welcomed the entry into force of the Second Protocol to amend the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area and expressed hope that it will expand market access and promote e-commerce and sustainable trade and empower micro, small and medium enterprises.
Mr Marcos urged closer cooperation on sustainable agriculture and fisheries, citing New Zealand's expertise in agritech and value-chain integration.
during 5th At the ASEAN-Australia Summit, he reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to fully implement the ASEAN-Australia Plan of Action 2025-2029, calling it “a roadmap that embodies the trust and shared resolve that underpins our comprehensive strategic partnership.”
