Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. left Manila on Thursday for South Korea to attend the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, where he is expected to push for stronger regional trade and investment ties. The President and his delegation departed from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at 12:45 p.m. and are set to arrive in this coastal city later in the day. Upon arrival, he will meet with members of the Filipino community before joining APEC-related activities.
According to Philippines News Agency, at the APEC CEO Summit, Marcos will deliver a keynote address before top business executives and policymakers, pitching the Philippines as a ‘reliable, forward-looking partner’ in the Asia-Pacific. Notable business leaders at the APEC CEO Summit are Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, CATL chairperson Zeng Yuqun, and the heads of Korea’s influential conglomerates, including Samsung, LG, SK, and Hyundai Motor. His remarks will focus on high-value investments in semiconductors, green energy, and digital transformation, sectors central to his administration’s bid to future-proof the Philippine economy.
Marcos emphasized the importance of digital transformation as a core pillar of development in his departure statement. He will also have one-on-one meetings with executives from priority industries, including advanced manufacturing and renewable energy, and hold a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Friday. The Philippines and South Korea mark 76 years of diplomatic relations this year, deepened by a Strategic Partnership signed in 2024, covering defense, economic cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.
Marcos will conclude his visit with a wreath-laying and tree-planting ceremony at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery to honor the 7,420 Filipino soldiers who fought in the Korean War.
The APEC meeting coincides with high-stakes talks between United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump and Xi met in Busan on Thursday, and after the meeting, Trump reportedly left on Air Force One with no immediate word on the outcome. In his pre-departure speech, Marcos acknowledged the significance of the Trump-Xi dialogue, calling it a potential ‘turning point’ for global trade.
During Marcos’ trip, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin will head the three-man government caretaker committee, with Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III and Education Secretary Sonny Angara as members.
