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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos set to embark on South Korea trip for APEC Summit

Marcos set to embark on South Korea trip for APEC Summit

Published Oct 28, 2025 12:42 pm  |  Updated Oct 28, 2025 03:51 pm
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. will head for Busan and Gyeongju in South Korea to attend the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, 2025. (MB File, Wikipedia Photos)
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. will head for Busan and Gyeongju in South Korea to attend the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, 2025. (MB File, Wikipedia Photos)
President Marcos is set to meet leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) this week with his scheduled attendance at the 32nd APEC Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea.
During a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Oct. 28, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Angelica Escalona confirmed the President’s attendance to the Leaders’ Meeting that will run from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.
“The President's participation is centered on advancing the Philippines' economic interests, forging deeper ties with APEC members, and reaffirming our commitment to APEC's vision of a more open, prosperous, and dynamic Asia-Pacific in a rapidly transforming regional landscape,” she said.
“These topics reflect the priorities set by Korea as this year's APEC host and tackle trends that impact economic growth across the region,” she added.
Marcos is also scheduled to hold two bilateral meetings with business leaders in the priority sectors of the Philippines, but these are still being finalized as of the moment.
Escalona confirmed that these sectors will cover manufacturing and semiconductors, though there is no word yet if the President will meet with Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang.
PH economic ties, artificial intelligence
While there is no information yet on whether the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the President’s economic team are scheduled to sign agreements, the official said that the meeting will have four outcome documents—the Leaders’ Declaration and three statements on artificial intelligence, demographic change, and cultural and creative industries.
Aside from the Leaders' Meeting, Marcos will also attend the Leaders' Dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and is expected to deliver a speech at the APEC CEO Summit, which gathers together representatives from APEC members and top business executives to discuss key economic issues facing the region.
"What is expected from our President to discuss is highlighting new technologies and economic integration," the spokesperson said.
"For AI, it's really about aligning this with our national AI strategy, because our goal is to establish an artificial intelligence, powered by the Philippines by 2028...This will help us, the Philippines take an active part in shaping how AIs are used across the region, in ways that are innovation-friendly, safe, transparent, and fair," she added. 
Marcos will then meet with members of the Filipino community in Busan and various business leaders and executives.
Under the theme, Building a Sustainable Tomorrow, Connect, Innovate, Prosper, the APEC Leaders’ Meeting will gather leaders and representatives from APEC's 21 member-economies.
Escalona said the President’s visit will conclude with a wreath-laying and tree-planting ceremony at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, in honor of the 7,420 Filipino soldiers who fought during the Korean War as members of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea.
No scheduled meeting yet with Trump, Xi
“At the moment there is no scheduled meeting,” the DFA official told reporters when asked if Marcos will meet United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
She assured, however, that even without a bilateral meeting with the Chinese and US presidents, “pressing issues” and the “uncertainties brought about by the tariffs” will be discussed among APEC officials and the private sector.
Escalona also said that the maritime dispute with China is not in the current agenda of the APEC meeting.
“Ito kasing APEC, this is an economic forum. So political and security issues are not tackled,” she said.
This despite several countries raising concern about China’s aggressive actions that threaten peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region.

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