By Darryl John Esguerra
BUSAN,South Korea – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. described this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea as “very productive,” noting that discussions among regional leaders yielded valuable insights on trade, artificial intelligence (AI), and climate action at a time of heightened global uncertainty.
“We have just finished APEC here in Gyeongju. It was actually a very productive meeting because the subjects that were taken up are some of the most important and difficult subjects that the Asia-Pacific countries are facing,” Marcos told members of the Philippine media.
The President said the discussions centered primarily on trade and economic cooperation, but leaders also engaged in discussions on issues that increasingly shape global economic policy like AI governance, climate change mitigation, and loss-and-damage mechanisms.
“Trade led the subject matters. But of course, many other things came in — cooperation between countries for AI, climate change, and how to finally figure out the loss and damage,” he said.
Marcos noted that despite the diversity of participants, from Mexico and Chile in Latin America to major Asian economies and Southeast Asian neighbors, leaders shared a common concern: Navigating economic uncertainty.
“Almost all of us opened with, ‘We are facing very precarious times.’ The analysis is pretty universal,” he said.
Marcos added that he took advantage of the summit to hold informal exchanges with other leaders and ministers, exchanging perspectives on a wide range of global and regional issues that affect economic growth and cooperation.
“It’s always very interesting to see other points of view. We’re all going home with a lot of ideas to think about and some work to do to develop those ideas,” he said.
The 2025 APEC Summit concluded with the turnover of its 2025 chairsmanhip to China as host of the event. (PNA)