GYEONGJU, South Korea — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to highlight the Philippines’ digital transformation drive and pitch the country as an emerging hub for artificial intelligence and innovation at the opening of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2025 Leaders’ Summit today, 31 October.

The first session of the two-day summit began this morning with Republic of Korea President Lee Jae Myung welcoming world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, under the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper.”

Marcos is expected to deliver his special remarks at the APEC CEO Summit at 3:05 PM, where he will promote the Philippines as a reliable partner for investors and emphasize his administration’s focus on digital inclusion, infrastructure, and small-business support.

“We will highlight how we are pursuing digital transformation as a core pillar of our development, fully recognizing the potential of new technologies in unlocking a more prosperous and resilient future,” Marcos said in an earlier statement before departing Manila.

Today’s program also includes a bilateral meeting between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea at 3:40 PM, followed by the APEC Leaders’ Gala Dinner at 6 PM.

South Korean President Lee opened the first session by calling for deeper cooperation and solidarity amid growing global uncertainty, describing artificial intelligence as both “unprecedented crisis and unprecedented possibilities."

South Korea and the Philippines mark 76 years of diplomatic relations this year, with 63 bilateral agreements spanning trade, education, energy, defense, and labor cooperation. The Republic of Korea is also the Philippines’ fourth largest trading partner and a top source of official development assistance.

APEC, composed of 21 member economies, represents 46 percent of global trade and 61 percent of the world’s total GDP, making it one of the most influential economic blocs in the world.