PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III and the other 20 world leaders will meet on Saturday (September 8) for the 20th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting to discuss four priority areas for 2012 set by Russia, this year’s country host.
President Aquino and the Philippine delegation will arrive Friday to attend the APEC Leaders’ meeting at the Far Eastern Federal University on Russkiy Island here, the venue for the summit.
The theme of this year’s meeting is “Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper.”
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura del Rosario said that the four priorities to be tackled during the APEC Leaders’ Meeting include trade and investment liberalization and regional economic integration.
The three other priority areas that the APEC leaders will also discuss during the meeting are the strengthening food security, establishing reliable supply chains, and cooperation to foster innovative growth.
While in Vladivostok, President Aquino will also participate in the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Dialogue with APEC leaders, which is a key feature of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM).
During the ABAC Dialogue, ABAC members are expected to discuss with APEC leaders the entire year’s ABAC work program and to raise issues of pressing concern to the business community.
ABAC Philippines will be represented by A. Magsaysay Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Doris Magsaysay, Jollibee Food Corp. Chairman and CEO Tony Tan Caktiong, and Ayala Corp. Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.
During an interview with Radio Television Malacanang, Undersecretary del Rosario said that the preparations for the hosting of the APEC 2015 by the Philippines will start next year. (PND)
