Pres. Duterte arrives in Vietnam for APEC Summit

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Dutere, in his speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport prior to his departure for Vietnam on November 8, 2017, announces that he will talk about the economic imbalance and the impact of globalization on the countries who have been left behind during the APEC-ASEAN Dialogue. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Da Nang, Vietnam — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte arrived here on Wednesday, November 8, to participate in the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM).

The President arrived at Da Nang International Airport at 6 pm (7 pm, Manila time). Upon arrival at the Da Nang International Airport, the President was received by Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Noel Servignon.

On Thursday, the President is expected to discuss regional economic integration and lessons learnt from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in his keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit at the Ariyana Da Nang Exhibition and Convention Center.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Manuel Teehankee said Duterte has been invited as a special guest as ASEAN chair.

President Duterte is scheduled to participate at the plenary session of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) dialogue with APEC leaders at Furuma Resort Da Nang on Friday.

Teehankee noted that this is where ABAC would submit their annual report to all the APEC leaders with the set of recommendations on how to move forward and how to progress inclusive global growth.

As this year’s ASEAN Chairman, Duterte would lead the other ASEAN leaders during the first ever dialogue of APEC and ASEAN heads.

Teehankee said the landmark event is an important milestone for a dialogue on regional economic integration between APEC and ASEAN.

On Friday night, the President will join other APEC leaders at the Gala Dinner and Cultural Performance at the Sheraton Da Nang Resort and Spa.

President Duterte is also scheduled to participate in a whole day of discussions with the APEC heads during the Retreat at the Intercontinental Da Nang Resort on Saturday.

At the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting here, the President is expected to meet with various world leaders. President Duterte is expected to have a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea who is next year’s APEC chairman.

The President is also expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss how to counter terrorism and radicalization as well as business cooperation and business and trade and investment between the two countries, according to Teehankee.

The DFA official said this will also be an opportunity to express gratitude to Russia for its assistance to the country during the rebellion in Marawi City.

President Duterte is also expected to convey his congratulations to Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang for Da Nang’s hosting of APEC.

The President is also scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Duterte is also expected to have a pull aside meeting with Hong Kong Chief Executive Executive Carrie Lam, who along with President Trump, Prime Minister Ardern and President Moon Jae-in are newly elected leaders attending APEC for the first time.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has underscored the importance of the APEC to the Philippines as a regional economic bloc, noting that nine out of the country’s top 10 trading partners are APEC countries.

Part of the President’s official delegation are Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr., Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Noel Servigon.