President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. capped a productive and successful participation at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea, emphasizing strengthened regional ties, opportunities for strategic investments, and the Philippines’ key gains from the high-level meetings.
President Marcos, accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and the Philippine delegation to the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, arrived at the Gimhae Air Base in Busan, South Korea, shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday, where they were warmly received with arrival honors.
From the airport, the President proceeded directly to the Filipino Community gathering at the Wyndham Grand Busan, where he and the First Lady were warmly welcomed by Filipinos based in South Korea. The event was filled with music, camaraderie, and celebration that lasted for over an hour.
On Day 2, the President began his official APEC engagements early in the morning. At 9 a.m., he was formally received by the Chair of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) at the Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO) in Gyeongju. At 10 a.m., President Marcos participated in the AELM Session themed “Towards a More Connected, Resilient Region and Beyond.”
To maximize discussions, the APEC Economic Leaders held a working lunch with the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). Later in the afternoon, at 3:05 p.m., the President delivered special remarks at the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju.
President Marcos also had a meeting with the US APEC Business Council.
At 3:40 p.m., President Marcos returned to HICO for a bilateral meeting with the Republic of Korea, reaffirming the strong and growing partnership between the two nations. In the evening, he joined fellow leaders for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Gala Dinner at Lahan Select Gyeongju.
On Day 3, at 10 a.m., the President attended Session 2 of the AELM, themed “Preparing a Future-Ready Asia-Pacific,” held at HICO. At 12:15 p.m., President Marcos and other APEC leaders posed for an official group photo, marking the formal conclusion of the APEC 2025 meetings.
Following the summit’s conclusion, the President proceeded to Busan for another series of business meetings at the Signiel Hotel, underscoring the Philippines’ sustained efforts to attract strategic investments that will create more job opportunities for Filipinos.
To cap his working visit, President Marcos held a Kapihan with the Malacañang Press Corps, where he shared the Philippines’ key gains and takeaways from APEC 2025.-PND