Bangkok, Thailand
November 16-19, 2022

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. embarks on a four-day visit to the Kingdom of Thailand for his inaugural participation to the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Bangkok from November 16-19, 2022.

The President is expected to meet with his fellow leaders from the Asia-Pacific Region to discuss relations aimed in pursuing mutual economic benefits. He is also scheduled to join the APEC CEO Summit that would tackle business opportunities, investments and expansion plans with the Region’s top business executives.

Likewise, the Chief Executive is set to meet with the Filipino Community in Thailand to wrap up his visit to the country.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), President Marcos Jr. will push for APEC to revitalize its important role as a major driver of global economic growth and globalization in the world. It is an opportunity for the Philippines to discuss its economic agenda and priorities which include empowerment of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the role of maritime crews and seafarers in the stable and resilient supply chains, food and energy security, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Chaired by Thailand, this year’s AELM is anchored on the theme, ‘Open. Connect. Balance’ and is the first in-person meeting since the pandemic started in 2020. It gathers 21 Member Economies to discuss further ways in achieving sustainable trade and investment, reconnect the Asia-Pacific Region, and plan the path towards an inclusive post-pandemic recovery and sustainable growth.

APEC was established in 1989, with the Philippines as one of its founding members. The other Member Economies are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States of America and Vietnam.