PH preparing to host 2 summits

The Philippines will host two international summits—the World Economic Forum on East Asia in 2014 and the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (Apec) in 2015–as the government seeks to showcase the country’s march to progress, according to Palace officials.

“We have preparations in place,” said presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda in a radio interview on Saturday.

He disclosed that the President had already designated a “lead agency” tasked to make the summits a success. “We will just have to confirm first which is the lead agency, and we’ll let you know,” Lacierda said.

He later told the Inquirer by text that the Office of the President itself would be on top of the preparations for the two summits.

When he attended the WEF on East Asia at Naypyitaw, Burma (Myanmar) on Friday, Mr. Aquino formally accepted Manila’s hosting of the next East Asia summit. He had earlier consented to hosting the 23rd summit when he attended the global WEF in Davos, Switzerland, in January.

Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang, who accompanied the President to Burma, told the Inquirer yesterday that “there’s a committee doing the planning” for both the WEF and Apec.

“(The committee) is composed of the same group working on Apec,” said Carandang.

He added, “(The government will show) that this is a country that you can do business in, and that has a vibrant but still under-appreciated cultural life.” The summits would “also show what opportunities are available for investment.”

He said tourism and businesses would also benefit from holding the summits here.

Brightest spark

In his departure statement before leaving for Burma, the President said his attendance at the 22nd WEF regional summit was doubly significant because of Manila’s hosting of the 23rd summit.

“This means that we have an opportunity to announce the exemplary performance of the economy because of the straight path, and encourage the leaders and business not to waste the chance to join in the flight of what is being recognized as Southeast Asia’s brightest spark—no other than our beloved Philippines,” said Mr. Aquino.

Apec considers itself as the “premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia Pacific.”  It has no treaty obligations unlike the World Trade Organization, but provides an avenue for global leaders to undertake commitments “on a voluntary basis.”

A Geneva-based nonprofit organization, the WEF is an independent international organization committed “to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.”

Mr. Aquino arrived in Manila from Burma on board a chartered Philippine Airlines plane at 12:40 a.m. on Saturday.

His day-long stay in Burma allowed him to meet with Burmese President Thein Sein and WEF founder and executive chair Klaus Schwab. He also attended a luncheon hosted by Ayala Corp.

The President also met with democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, chair and general secretary of the National League for Democracy.