Vladivostok experience to help Phl prepare for 2015 APEC summit

Russky Island, Vladivostok – A sneak peek at this year’s Russian hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit will definitely give the Philippine government an idea of how it will be hosting the same regional forum come 2015.

“Our experience here will give us an idea on how we are going to prepare the infrastructure, the human resource that is needed, the needs of the delegates, other areas like facilities, hotels, services, restaurants,” Ambassador Alejandro Mosquera said.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura del Rosario said in a previous interview that preparations for the hosting of the APEC 2015 by the Philippines will start next year.

This will be the second time that the Philippines will host the APEC summit, the first being in 1996 during the time of former President Fidel Ramos.

Among the proposed APEC summit sites in the Philippines are Subic (which was also the venue in 1996), Clark, the world-class Boracay Island in Visayas and the exclusive Amanpulo resort in Palawan.

“I think our people working for this APEC conference have a good grasp, good idea of how the preparations were made. And the expenses they have made for building the infrastructure and early preparations would be to our advantage,” Mosquera said.    

Lean delegation

President Aquino, who arrived here last night (Sept. 7, Friday 9 p.m. Vladivostok time), was joined by a lean delegation of five Cabinet members. He boarded a chartered plane (PAL flight PR 001) from Manila to this coastal city of Vladivostok.

Included in the delegation are Secretaries Albert del Rosario (foreign affairs), Jose Rene Almendras (energy), Cesar Purisima (finance), Edwin Lacierda (presidential spokesman) and Gregory Domingo (trade), who arrived here ahead of the presidential team.

Aquino and the other 20 world leaders will meet today for the 20th APEC Leaders’ Meeting to discuss four priority areas for 2012 set by Russia, this year’s country host.

The theme of this year’s meeting is “Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper.”

DFA Usec. Del Rosario said the four priorities to be tackled during the APEC Leaders’ Meeting include trade and investment liberalization and regional economic integration.

The other three priority areas that the APEC leaders will also discuss during the meeting are strengthening food security, establishing reliable supply chains, and cooperation to foster innovative growth.

Aquino will also participate in the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Dialogue with APEC leaders, which is a key feature of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM).

During the ABAC Dialogue, ABAC members are expected to discuss with APEC leaders the entire year’s ABAC work program and to raise issues of pressing concern to the business community.

ABAC Philippines will be represented by A. Magsaysay Inc. president and chief executive officer Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Jollibee Food Corp. chairman and CEO Tony Tan Caktiong and Ayala Corp. chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.