GMA to bring Asean Summit momentum to WEF

President Arroyo will bring in the political and economic momentum to be gained from the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit when she attends the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland this month, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said the President, upon the invitation of the organizers, would join the group of global decision and opinion makers at the WEF Annual Meeting on from Jan. 25 to 26.

Key global leaders, chairpersons and chief executives of the world’s top corporations and eminent members of international media, the academe and civil society will gather in Switzerland to share their insights and discuss economic issues and developments.

Romulo said that at the heart of their discussion is how best to move forward in "Shaping the Global Agenda," which is the theme for this year’s annual meeting.

Mrs. Arroyo will be the lead speaker on Jan. 26 on the topic "ASEAN’s Economic Roadmap," where she will be joined by distinguished panelists among them are the prime ministers of Malaysia and Vietnam.

In another session, she will be a panelist on the topic "ASEAN’s Diplomatic Agenda."

As current ASEAN chair, the President will also be representing a region that is committed to working closely together to create the opportunities for greater wealth, growth and progress.

While in Davos, Mrs. Arroyo is also scheduled to meet with a number of leading international businessman and investors.

The Philippines’ participation in this year’s forum is an important and significant opportunity to present to the world the economic prospects that the country and the Southeast Asian region have to offer to global business and financiers.

With the ASEAN and East Asian Summits all set and ready for next week, the President earlier expressed confidence that agreements promoting stability, cooperation and economic development will be forged.

Mrs. Arroyo underscored the role of the ASEAN as a prime mover for stability and cooperation and economic development in the region last Friday. — Pia Lee-Brago