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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos to skip World Economic Forum in Switzerland anew, cites domestic work

Marcos to skip World Economic Forum in Switzerland anew, cites domestic work

Published Jan 8, 2026 05:46 pm
File photo of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2023. (PCO)
File photo of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2023. (PCO)
President Marcos will not attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland this January due to numerous commitments in the country, Malacañang said on Thursday, Jan. 8.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto confirmed the decision in a message to reporters.
“No. He won’t attend WEF,” he said.
Asked for the reason, Recto said Marcos has “lots of work domestically.”
Recto said the Philippines will still be represented at the forum, with Ambassador Manuel Antonio “Dondi” Teehankee and Ambassador Bernard Faustino Dy taking charge of the country’s participation.
Teehankee is the Philippines’ permanent representative to the World Trade Organization, while Dy serves as the Philippine ambassador to Switzerland.
The Annual Meeting 2026 of the World Economic Forum is scheduled to take place in Davos-Klosters from Jan. 19 to 23.
Malacañang did not indicate whether Marcos will deliver any message or participate remotely in the discussions.
This marks another year that Marcos will skip the annual global gathering of political and business leaders. The President also did not attend the WEF in 2025.
In 2025, Recto, then serving as Department of Finance (DOF) secretary, represented Marcos at the forum as Special Envoy and head of the Philippine delegation.
Recto led engagements in Davos aimed at securing investments to support inclusive economic growth in the Philippines.
The World Economic Forum is an annual meeting that brings together heads of state, policymakers, business leaders, and civil society groups to discuss global economic trends, development priorities, and emerging international challenges.
While skipping WEF this year, Malacañang had announced that Marcos will fly to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Monday, Jan. 12, upon the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
While in the UAE, the President will attend the Sustainability Week and witness the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation.
The CEPA is the Philippines’ first free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country.

Related Tags

President Marcos Bongbong Marcos World Economic Forum (WEF) ralph recto Executive Secretary Ralph Recto
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