Busan: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joined fellow Asia-Pacific leaders Friday for the official welcome ceremony of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting at the Hwabaek International Convention Center here. Marcos was greeted by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who is presiding over this year's summit, themed around innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.

According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos will later address top business executives at the APEC CEO Summit and hold a bilateral meeting with President Lee to deepen cooperation between Manila and Seoul. In a meeting with the Filipino community in Busan on Thursday, Marcos highlighted the Philippines' priorities at this year's summit, which include advancing digital trade, empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), ensuring food and energy security, and enhancing climate resilience.

The two-day APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting gathers heads of the 21 member economies, which represent half of global trade and 61 percent of the world's gross domestic product, alongside delegates of major international organizations. Among the leaders attending are Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. US President Donald Trump is skipping the plenary sessions after earlier joining a business forum and separate meetings with Lee and Xi.

As host, South Korea aims to secure consensus for the 'Gyeongju Declaration,' which highlights priorities such as artificial intelligence and demographic adaptation. Over two sessions, APEC leaders will assess recommendations from their trade and foreign ministers on boosting regional prosperity through supply chain resilience, digital transformation, and sustainable growth.