Monday 10 September 2012

PIA News Dispatch - Monday, September 10, 2012


President Aquino back from Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit held in Vladivostok, Russia

President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived Sunday after attending the 20th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in Vladivostok, Russia from September 8 to 9.
The President’s chartered flight touched down on the tarmac of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 5:45 p.m. and reached its designated disembarking zone of Terminal 2 five minutes later at 5:50 p.m.

In his speech, the President said his two-day attendance to the Summit, albeit short, was still a success as he was able to bring the Philippines commitment to join member countries in a unified move towards achieving progress for all by laying down the foundations of cooperation and peace.

“Matagumpay nating naiparating sa dalawampung ibang ekonomiya ang hangarin nating makipag-bayanihan hindi lamang para makamit ang kaunlaran kundi para maitindig ang pundasyon ng kooperasyon at kapayapaan,” the President said.

To achieve this, the President cited the various agreements entered into by 20-member countries of APEC such as to strategically strengthen the conduct of commerce between countires and the implementation of better supply chains and reforms to ensure the delivery of food to this region.

“Ilan sa mga paksang napagkasunduan ay ang pagpapanday ng mga estratehiyang magpapatatag sa ating kalakalan at pamumuhunan. Ang pagtataguyod ng mas matibay na supply chains gayundin ang pagpupundar ng mga reporma upang matiyak ang pang-matagalang supply ng pagkain sa dakong ito ng mundo,” the President said.

“Tinalakay din sa APEC Business Advisory Council ang kalagayan ng pamumuhunan sa Asya Pasipiko at kung paano ito gagawing mas produktibo at maaliwalas para sa buong rehiyon. Nananalig akong ang ugnayang ito ay magtitindig ng pader na magsisilbing pananggalang laban sa anumang pinansyal na daluyong na maaaring dumagsa sa rehiyon,” he added.

The President said that all agreements and initiatives borne out of the APEC Summit were entered into and implemented for the benefit of the people of the region.

“Lahat ng nabuong kasunduan, lahat ng nahubog na ugnayan, lahat ng inisyatibang sinimulan sa APEC ay nakatutok lamang sa paghahatid ng maunlad at kapaki-pakinabang na Asya Pasipiko para sa susunod pang mga henerasyon,” the President said.

On hand to welcome the President back home were government officials led by Vice President Jejomar Binay, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa and Philippine National Police chief Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome.

Also present were members of the cabinet that included Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr., among others. PND (rck)


President Aquino upbeat about sharing country's 'new face' with the world

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperative (APEC) Summit not only served as a venue for the 20-member countries to map out directions towards becoming a potent economic force in the region but an opportunity to present the “new face” of the Philippines, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Sunday.

In his speech upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on Sunday, the President said his two-day attendance to the APEC Summit allowed him the opportunity to present the Philippines as now a better place for businesses with fair and equal opportunities for businessmen, a conducive business climate for member countries not only in the Asia Pacific region but the whole world as well.

“Sa kabuuan, matagumpay nating naipabatid ang bagong mukha ng Pilipinas: mas bukas para sa negosyo at oportunidad; mas patas para sa mga handang mamuhunan; at mas maaliwalas na sentro ng komersyo at pangangalakal hindi lamang sa Asya Pasipiko kundi sa buong mundo,” the President said.

“Tulad ng mga nakalipas nating pangingibang-bayan, iisa ang maugong na bukambibig ng daigdig: Ibang-iba na ang Pilipinas—angat sa iba. Kaya’t tibagin man ang mga barikadang pang-ekonomiya ay hindi matigil sa pag-aarangkada,” he added.

He challenged all Filipinos to do their share in maintaining the luster of this new, revitalized Philippines whose benefits, he said, would redound to all and the next generation of Filipinos as well.

“Kung nagawa ng dalawampu’t isang bansa sa APEC na mag-balikatan tungo sa iisang adhikain, handa rin dapat ang bawat Pilipinong maki-ambag para maabot natin ang ating pambansang hangarin. Kinabukasan ng susunod na salinlahi ang nakataya po dito. Huwag sana nating balewalain,” the President said.

“Kaya naman ipagpatuloy lang po natin ang pagtitiwala at pakikilahok sa pamahalaan. Iangat po natin ang ating kapwa sa maliit o malaki mang paraan at tiyak na makakamtan natin ang katuparan ng mga pangarap natin sa tuwid na daan,” he added. PND (rck)


President Aquino and other 20 leaders of APEC agree to strengthen food security

(VLADIVOSTOK, Russia) President Aquino and the other 20 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) agreed to strengthen food security through the implementation of the Niigata Declaration and the progress made in the Kazan Declaration on Food Security.
The agreement was contained in the APEC Declaration issued by the 21 member economies of APEC on Sunday (Vladivostok time) at the conclusion of the 20th APEC Leaders' Meeting at the APEC Conference Center here. The APEC Leaders' Meeting has for its theme "Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper."

"To advance this work, we are committed to increasing sustainable agricultural production and productivity, considering the diversity of environmental conditions world-wide and positive externalities of agriculture, further facilitating trade and developing food markets, enhancing food safety improving access to food for vulnerable groups and improving farmer's welfare," the APEC leaders said.

They vowed to implement measures to help ensure sustainable marine ecosystems management and combating illegal fishing and associated trade adding that sustainable agricultural growth is a "priority for all our economies."

The APEC leaders also expressed the belief that deeper involvement of the relevant private and public sector stakeholders into APEC's food security efforts will contribute significantly in addressing their shared goals.

To promote their food security goals, the APEC leaders agreed to take the following steps:

-- Supporting the effective and multi-faceted work of the Food Safety Cooperation Forum;

-- Encouraging further cooperation and dialogue among the economies on undwrstanding, recognition and capacity building regarding the benefits of harmonizing domestic regulations on food safety and quality with international standards consistent with the World Trade Organization Agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade and on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures;

-- Striving to improve domestic food safety systems by implementing previous control measures, building information sharing networks,strengthening laboratory capacity, and building regional capacityto respond to high priority food safety hazards and minimize food safety incidents;

-- Exploring ways to improve economic and physical access to food for vulnerable groups including those facing an emergency due to natural and anthropogenic disasters, encouraging exchange of best practices on the provision of food for vulnerable populations, including through social and school feeding, strengthening sustainable social protection and social safety nets; and

 -- Enhancing cooperation to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and associated trade, working towards sustainable management of marine ecosystems, improving capture fisheries management and sustainable aquaculture practices, and facilitating sustainable open and fair trade in products of fisheries and aquaculture. PND (rsda)


Philippines and other 20 member-economies of APEC reaffirm commitment to improve supply-chain by 2015

(VLADIVOSTOK, Russia) --- The 21 member-economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), including the Philippines, have reaffirmed their commitment to achieve 10 percent improvement in supply-chain performance by 2015 in terms of reduction of time, cost, and uncertainty of moving goods and services through the Asia-Pacific region.

President Benigno S. Aquino III and the other 20 world leaders made the reaffirmation of their commitment through a joint declaration at the conclusion of the 20th APEC Leaders' Meeting on Sunday (Vladivostok time) at the Far Eastern Federal University on Russkiy Island here.

"We welcome the adoption of a more systematic approach to addressing existing chokepoints in supply chains through targeted capacity-building and concrete steps towards making supply chains more reliable, resilient, safe, efficient, transparent, diversified and intelligent, and direct officials to advance this work in 2012 to be completed by 2014," the declaration stated.

Noting that the reliability of supply chains is crucial to facilitate trade, maintain sustainable development, and ensure economic, energy, food, and environmental security in the region, the APEC leaders encouraged continued discussion with the business community and other relevant stakeholders on the diversification of transportation routes in the region and resiliency planning to build the most efficient supply chain networks.

The APEC leaders agreed that it is also crucial to advance the discussion on the technological enhancement of supply chains with a view to promoting greener, smarter, more efficient and intelligent supply chains.

They also voiced support for continued discussion with the business community and other relevant stakeholders on Authorized Economic Operators programs, in line with the World Customs Organization/APEC SAFE Framework of Standards.

Recognizing the significance of travel and tourism in job creation, economic growth and development in the Asia-Pacific, the APEC leaders commended the efforts of APEC Tourism and Transport Ministers in encouraging the facilitation of international travel to assess the liberalization of air transportation services and to improve safety and security of tourist products.

It was cited that terrorism is a serious threat to economic growth, security, stability and supply chain reliability, thus they reaffirmed their commitments to implement the APEC Consolidated Counter-Terrorism and Secure Trade Strategy. They also supported deeper cooperation and capacity building across the Strategy’s priority areas of secure trade, travel, finance, and infrastructure to make regional commerce more secure, efficient, and resilient.

The APEC leaders also reaffirmed the importance of enhancing preventative measures, emergency preparedness, disaster resiliency and fostering of scientific and technical cooperation among APEC economies, communities and businesses.

"We recognize the importance of easing the mobility of relief assistance in the aftermath of disaster to minimize casualties," the APEC leaders said. PND (CO)


APEC leaders voice commitment to fight against corruption

(VLADIVOSTOK, Russia) Formally recognizing the need to address the problem of corruption and transparency, the 21 member-economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) agreed to stamp out corruption.

"We strongly commit to fight against corruption to ensure openness and transparency in APEC," the APEC leaders said in the APEC Declaration issued Sunday (Vladivostok time) at the close of the 2-day APEC Leaders' Meeting at the APEC Conference Center here.

"Acknowledging that corruption fuels illicit trade and insecurity and is a tremendous barrier to economic growth, the safety of citizens, and to the strengthening of economic and investment cooperation among APEC economies, we endorse commitments on fighting corruption and ensuring transparency," the APEC leaders said.

They likewise welcomed addressing in 2012 transparency as a new next generation trade and investment issue.

"We remain committed to addressing next generation trade and investment issues as an important aspect of our work to further integration of APEC economies and expansion of trade throughout the region," they added.

The APEC leaders noted that transparency is one of the basic principles underlying trade liberalization and facilitation.

Since he assumed office in June 2010, President Aquino has always been espousing good governance and transparency in the bureaucracy and public service. He has also been very vocal in his advocacy to fight graft and corruption in government.

He was catapulted to power through his popular campaign slogan "Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap" which up to this day has been the hallmark of his administration's goal in achieving the country's progress and development. PND (rsda)


APEC leaders agree to encourage innovative growth in Asia-Pacific region

(VLADIVOSTOK, Russia) President Benigno S. Aquino III and the other 20 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have agreed to work together to foster innovative growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

The agreement was included in the 2012 APEC Leaders’ joint declaration issued on Sunday at the conclusion of two-day APEC Leaders’ Meeting here at the Far Eastern Federal University on Russkiy Island, the venue for this year’s APEC activities.

In their joint declaration, the 21 member-economies of the APEC agreed to take important steps towards the development of effective, non-discriminatory and market-driven innovation policies.

APEC said that it has already transformed the Industrial Science and Technology Working Group into a Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) to address common challenges and enhance innovation capacity.

The PPSTI will organize Innovation Technology Dialogues---a mechanism to explore and identify how emerging innovative technologies and related policies and instruments can address current challenges faced by APEC economies.

The APEC leaders also welcomed the willingness of New Zealand and Indonesia to jointly co-chair a meeting of APEC Chief Science Advisers in 2013.

The leaders also recognized the importance of small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs), noting that these "are a significant driver of development and innovation in the Asia-Pacific region that will improve the quality of economic integration and competitiveness of our economies."

"We note the importance to our innovation goals of assisting SMMEs at an early stage, and expanding opportunities for youth and women," the 2012 APEC Leaders’ joint declaration added.

Citing education as an essential driver of innovative growth in the APEC region, the APEC leaders supported steps and efforts to enhance the mobility of students, researchers, and education providers within APEC through the development of higher education cooperation.

The leaders also mentioned that a healthy population is crucial for sustainable development of human resources, and for sustainable economic development and innovative growth in the APEC region. They also supported efforts to address health issues across sectors, and encourage further concrete steps to strengthen health systems.

The APEC leaders also reaffirmed the crucial role of women in “achieving economic prosperity and inclusive growth in the APEC region and encourage investing in women through the creation of better business opportunities for women and including them in the innovative economy.”

APEC is an organization of economies in the Asia-Pacific region, and a premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

It has 21 members which account for approximately 40 percent of the world’s population, approximately 54 percent of the world gross domestic product and about 44 percent of world trade. PND (CO)


APEC member-economies welcome offer of Philippines to host APEC Summit in 2015

(VLADIVOSTOK, Russia) The member-economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) welcomed the offer of the Philippines to host the APEC summit in 2015.

The announcement of the Philippines hosting the APEC in 2015 was contained in the joint declaration issued by the 21 APEC leaders, including President Benigno S. Aquino III, at the conclusion of the APEC leaders' Meeting with the theme of “Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper” held here at the Far Eastern Federal University on Russkiy Island.

The country will be hosting the APEC 2015 after Indonesia and China.

"We welcome the offer of the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines and Peru to host APEC in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively," the declaration stated.

"We welcome the invitation from the President of Indonesia to meet again in Bali in 2013," it added.

Also in the joint declaration, the APEC leaders believed that the work that has been done in APEC in 2012 to build a more integrated society and ensure innovation-based economic growth "will contribute to our common goal of achieving prosperity for APEC economies."

They also support the increasing engagement of the APEC Business Advisory Council which contributes significantly to greater collaboration between the public and private sectors.

"We remain fully committed to facilitate the role of APEC’s business community and to provide more opportunities for its participation in APEC’s work," the APEC leaders said.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to provide effective economic and technical cooperation activities outlined in the Osaka Action Agenda and to assist APEC members in accordance with the Manila Framework.

The APEC leaders will also continue to take necessary and concrete actions to mitigate negative effects, build resilience of APEC economies and reach new heights in the development of the region. PND (co)