DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque delivering PH interventions on behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as his Special Envoy to APEC

Lima, Peru––On 15 November, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina A. Roque represented President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as his Special Envoy to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2024 Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Lima, Peru.

Led by H.E. Dina Boluarte, President of the Republic of Peru, the meeting provided a platform for APEC leaders to engage in a productive dialogue with representatives from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF).

DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque as Special Envoy to APEC 

The leaders and representatives shared ideas on ways to promote economic and technical cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region under the overall theme of “Empower. Include. Grow.”

Special Envoy to the President and DTI Secretary Roque highlighted APEC’s role as an incubator of ideas, stressing the importance of leveraging the forum’s diverse membership to foster learning and growth among member economies.

The Philippine trade chief also called on APEC to ensure that the benefits of economic integration are felt at the domestic level and shared by all segments of society, including the vulnerable and underrepresented groups, as well rural communities.

“The future of APEC as an institution and the welfare of our region depend on our ability to work together. Let us strengthen partnerships, champion innovation, and prioritize inclusivity. Through our work, we can navigate the complexities of the global economy and emerge as a stronger, more resilient region for all,” Secretary Roque stated.

Moreover, APEC Leaders engaged in a dialogue with the members of the APEC Business Advisory Council, where Secretary Roque underscored the role of the private sector in the success of APEC. She advocated for active engagement with businesses of all sizes, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and women-led enterprises, to ensure that APEC initiatives deliver tangible results.

In photo: Roundtable discussion of APEC Economic Leaders

The AELM concluded with the APEC Economic Leaders’ Retreat on November 16, marking the end of Peru’s hosting and the transition to Korea as the APEC 2025 host.

The Philippines’ proactive engagement in APEC and its focus on inclusivity complements the goal of a “Bagong Pilipinas” that creates a more prosperous and equitable society for all Filipinos through international collaboration and sustainable development. ♦

Date of release: 18 November 2024

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