PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. is set to tackle pressing international concerns such as climate change and the country’s economic policies during his speech before members of the United Nations (UN) when he flies to New York next week.
Likewise, he will also try to attract potential foreign investors during the brief US visit to help the country achieve its goals in food security, energy security and sustainable economic development, among others.
Marcos is expected to fly to the US this Sunday to participate in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) debate at approximately 3:15 to 3:30 in the afternoon, New York time next Tuesday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the President will be discussing climate change, the rule of law and food security in his first ever address in the UNGA.
In a virtual press conference on Thursday, Press Secretary Beatrix “Trixie” Cruz-Angeles said Marcos is also expected to tackle his economic policies in his UNGA speech.
“We don’t announce the details of the speech until it’s actually been made. But in this case, the President’s primary objective and in fact this means policy in his governance, in this administration, is economic recovery,” Angeles said.
Around 152 heads of states are expected to participate in the event with the theme: “A Watershed Moment: Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges.”
Angles said they are still awaiting confirmation on whether Marcos will hold bilateral talks with the other participating state leaders.
Economic briefing
After the UNGA event, Marcos will hold an economic briefing together with other members of the Philippine business delegation, to include Philippine private sector leaders.
“This briefing is expected to attract institutional investors, senior corporate executives, business analysts, and even academic think tanks and entrepreneurs,” Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga said.
Marcos will also meet with members of the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-ASEAN Business Council, and the US-Philippine Society.
“At these engagements, he will be able to have wide-ranging and candid discussions with political, business and community leaders on raising the profile of the Philippines in the United States, contributing to the President’s economic agenda and strengthening Philippine-US political, economic and cultural ties,” Gonzaga said.
The President is expected to fly home on Sept. 24, 2022.