The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) and the Office of the Undersecretary for International Economic Relations (OUIER) conducted the APEC 2015 Briefing for DFA Home Office and Foreign Service Posts with Undersecretary Laura Q. del Rosario last 20 January 2015 at FSI.

During the briefing, Undersecretary del Rosario discussed the theme of the Philippine hosting, “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World,” and the four priority areas, namely: enhancing the regional economic agenda, fostering SME’s participation in the regional and global economy, investing in human capital development, and building sustainable and resilient communities.

Accounting for 47 percent of world trade and 57 percent of GDP globally in 2012, the Asia-Pacific has enjoyed dynamic economic growth. However, this growth has not been distributed equally. Hence, promoting inclusive growth as the Philippines’ overarching theme is only appropriate and necessary.

On the first priority area which is enhancing the regional economic agenda, the Philippines will seek to strengthen connectivity in an economically robust Asia-Pacific for the benefit of every member economy.

On fostering SME’s participation in the regional and global economy, Undersecretary del Rosario said that SMEs must be supported by removing the entry barriers and giving them access to finance.

On investing in human capital development, the importance of education and vocational training for APEC citizens was underscored. These will enhance innovation as well as human resource development that is driven by science and technology.

The priority on building sustainable and resilient communities reflects APEC’s commitment to promote Blue Economy and food and energy security.  It is vital that the region achieves a disaster-resilient and sustainable development in an integrated and interlinked production and supply chains in the Asia Pacific.

The event was attended by officers and staff of the Department, as well as Foreign Service Posts (FSPs) through FSI live webcast.  The briefing is part of the Institute’s mandate to provide capacity-building for government agencies to prepare for APEC hosting.