MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday reported a fruitful outcome of his participation in the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) in Bangkok, Thailand, where he advanced the country's interest in various fora.

"I'm very happy that I'm able to report the results of the 29th APEC Leaders' meeting that I just came back from in Bangkok. Of course, we discussed with the other leaders all of the issues that our countries have been facing and are facing and what possible solutions we have for the problems we see, that are upcoming," the President said in his arrival statement in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, following his four-day participation to the regional meeting.

"The problems as we have identified seem to be the same problems for most of the countries. In other words, we have a consonance of views and analysis on the things that are to be of concern… It was a very useful and productive process. Because, as I said, we have now a way forward for all of us members of APEC," Marcos pointed out.
Among the agreements were putting direction to APEC's economic development and ramping up efforts in the fight against climate change.

"The overarching global concern for everyone is and should be global... the climate change issues that are coming. Every discussion that we had, you can talk about the economy, you can talk about the geopolitics, you can talk about anything... if you're going to detail, you talk about fisheries, you talk about governance, you talk about anything. And the subject of climate change will make itself felt," said the President.

The President also had bilateral meetings with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, France, Australia, New Zealand and China.
"It's not just the ASEAN but all of these other countries around the Pacific. It was really very much a world forum," the President pointed out.

"They now know me. They know what I'm about. We've discussed… they know what the Philippine position is on several issues," Marcos added.

During the business meetings by the President, particularly at the APEC CEO Summit, he expressed his views on the present global economic conditions, as well as the country's policies to improve its economy.

"We have much to do to play our part in APEC, and we will undertake all that so that we will contribute to the success of this region," the President said.

"Because the ultimate, in terms of the economies, the ultimate aspiration is for the APEC region, [the] Asia Pacific region, to return to its old role as a driver of the global economy. And if we do all of the things that we are planning to do, that will come back again. And we once again will be at the forefront of the global economy," Marcos added.

President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos also met the Royal Family in Thailand, thanking it for the warm reception.
Before flying to the Philippines, the chief executive had a Filipino Community Meet-and-Greet.

There are more than 30,000 Filipinos in Thailand, mostly working as English teachers and employees in the Kingdom's hospitality industry. (PND)