World leaders' full attendance in APEC Manila expected

MANILA, Philippines — Leaders of all the 21 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies are expected to arrive in Manila for the meeting in November, the chief organizer said Wednesday.

Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr., director general of this year's APEC National Organizing Council, said in a briefing that his team has not received any indications that some presidents or prime ministers of APEC economies will skip the Economic Leaders' Meeting next month.

He said a clear indication that all heads of member economies are interested in attending was the arrival of their representatives in Manila last week for a visit and briefing ahead of the culminating APEC event.

Paynor also revealed that so far, 10 APEC economic leaders have confirmed their attendance.

He also noted that only on rare occasions, such as important domestic events as elections, do chief executives choose not to be present at the leaders' summit.

The ambassador's announcement came after the White House confirmed United States President Barack Obama's attendance next month. This will be Obama's second trip to the Philippines in over two years amid his administration push for a strategic pivot to Asia-Pacific.

READ: It's official: Obama attending APEC Summit in Manila

Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and the United States make up the 21-member APEC.

The Philippines is hosting 44 APEC meetings this year, increasing from the initially planned 25 meetings. The 35 meetings have been held Manila, Clark, Tagaytay, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu and Boracay the past months.

The remaining nine meetings are set in November, including the climate change symposium, inclusive business dialogue, the CEO summit, and the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. — with reports from the Philippine News Agency