President Ferdinand Marcos arrived at the San Francisco International Airport in California at 5:06 p.m. (9:06 a.m. Manila) with First Lady Atty. Louise Araneta-Marcos and the Philippine delegation for the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting and related activities.
Upon his arrival at San Francisco International Airport, President Marcos received a warm welcome from city government officials. This visit marks his third trip to the United States since taking office on June 30, 2022.
Before the APEC Summit began, President Marcos met with the Filipino community at the San Francisco Conference Center. During the event, he presented the government’s initiatives and programs aimed at improving the lives and ensuring the welfare of Filipinos, including those working abroad.
In his statement ahead of the APEC Summit, President Marcos emphasized the government’s focus on securing beneficial trade and investment opportunities, creating quality and green jobs, promoting human development, and reducing poverty.
He also stressed the importance of engaging with economic leaders of the Asia-Pacific region to explore strategies for achieving food and energy security, fostering economic inclusion of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and ensuring the welfare of women, indigenous people, and other marginalized sectors.
Furthermore, President Marcos highlighted the need to prioritize sustainable development and address climate change. He expressed his commitment to promoting digitalization and innovation to unlock the full potential of these sectors.
As part of the government’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relationships, President Marcos will also hold meetings with business leaders and world leaders during his stay in San Francisco. He emphasized the importance of the APEC Summit in positioning the Philippines as an attractive investment destination and forging closer ties with its regional partners.
The Philippines is a founding member of APEC since 1989.
The APEC region is a major economic force, representing 38% of the world’s population, 48% of its trade, and 62% of its GDP. About 85% of the Philippines’ trade and its main investors come from the APEC region. Additionally, the United States is the second-largest employer of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).