The high-level meeting of the leaders from the member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) has started at the Philippine International Convention Center (Picc) on Thursday.
The meeting was led by President Benigno Aquino III, as this year’s Apec meeting host.
In his welcome address, Aquino said that this year’s summit serves as a time for reflection as 2015 marks the end of the United Nations Development Goals, the 21st Conference of Parties or COP21 to be held in Paris which will address the impact of climate change, and five years before the 2020 Bogor Goals.
“It is certainly an opportune time for us to reflect on how we would go into the future,” Aquino said.
Aside from urging fellow leaders to reflect, the President also touted the economic achievements of the country under his administration for the past five years.
He said that these milestones were achieved through “structural reforms and good governance.”
“This Apec hosting is an opportunity for the Philippines to showcase the results of the world. These past five years, the Philippines has experienced strong economic growth—fastest in 4 decades—thanks to good governance and critical structural reforms,” Aquino said.
The President said that the country has experienced inclusive growth and not just “growth for just growth’s sake.”
“We are proud of our growth not just for growth’s sake but the Philippines has set aside trickle down economics, chosen to invest in our people so that growth is felt by every citizen,” he added.
Leaders have arrived one by one at the Picc with Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah as the first leader to arrive.
Chinese President Xi Jinping was the last to arrive at the venue and has shared a few seconds talking with Aquino.
The leaders from the 21 member economies then had their family photo taken at the lobby of the Picc Delegation Building before proceeding to their retreat.
The retreat of the economy leaders is set to end at 12:45 p.m. RAM
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