Duterte to participate in virtual APEC Leaders’ Meeting

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is set to participate in an online meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders on Friday.

This will be the first time the annual meeting between economic leaders of the 21 APEC member economies will be held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is on Nov. 20. Magsisimula po ito sa gabi, magkakaroon sila ng leaders’ family photo pagkatpos po magkakaroon sila ng dalawang sessions,” Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque said in a televised Palace press briefing Monday.

The 2019 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting slated in Chile was canceled due to widespread protests in the country. For this year, Malaysia will play host for the meeting.

Just last week, Duterte engaged Southeast Asian leaders in an open dialogue calling for enhanced COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery, climate change action, and peace and security issues, particularly the South China Sea disputes, during the 37th ASEAN Summit.

READ: Duterte to attend 37th Asean virtual summit from Nov. 12 to 15

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