Marcos back from 'fruitful' APEC participation

President Marcos has returned to Manila after his "fruitful participation" in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea.

- BY BETHEENA UNITE and ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

PAYING RESPECTS – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. returns the salute of honor guards as he and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos visit the United Nations (UN) Memorial Cemetery in Busan, South Korea, on Sunday, before departing for Manila on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. Marcos attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea. (OPA Pool)

(OPA Pool)

"I am pleased to report that our engagements were robust, our discussions fruitful, and our shared commitment to collective action reaffirmed," Marcos said in his arrival message on Sunday, Nov. 2.

Marcos reported that he was able to join his fellow economic leaders in a series of productive meetings on the most pressing challenges confronting the Asia-Pacific region, from supply chain disruptions and climate change to persistent economic inequality and the accelerating pace of technological transformation.

"We saw alignment in the urgency for resilient growth, inclusive prosperity, and sustainable development. More importantly, we debated, we listened, and we laid down meaningful and action-oriented pathways for regional economic cooperation," the President said.

He noted that topics raised during the APEC meeting such rapid deployment of AI, far-reaching demographic changes, and the flourishing of cultural and creative industries are "timely and deeply relevant to the Philippines."

The President said he was able to advance several Philippine priorities, including the importance of narrowing the digital divide for MSMEs by equitable access to digital services and financial inclusion; advancing seamless movements of goods and people to infrastructure development; promoting supply chain resiliency amid shocks and crises; and promoting digital literacy and upskilling for MSMEs, women, and other segments whose full economic potential can be realized through digitalization.