SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – In a bid to promote green energy solutions, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to strengthen their economic and technical ties. The President made these remarks during the APEC Leaders’ Informal Dialogue and Working Lunch held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.
According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos emphasized the role of APEC in fostering a trade and investment environment conducive to reducing emissions and supporting technology transfer, especially for the most vulnerable economies. He highlighted the significance of regional cooperation, structural reforms, and capacity-building in achieving sustainability and inclusivity goals. President Marcos pointed out that the current economic climate offers numerous opportunities for APEC economies to drive peace, prosperity, and resilience both regionally and globally.
Addressing the high costs associated with green technology, President Marcos underscored the importance of cooperation in its development, sector liberalization, and facilitation of green trade and investment. He cited the Philippines’ efforts in liberalizing the solar, wind, and geothermal sectors, reducing tariffs on environmental goods, and increasing the adoption of renewable energy sources. The President also noted the critical role of digitalization and innovation in building a sustainable future, optimizing resource use, and supporting smart cities and infrastructure.
President Marcos stressed the importance of science, technology, innovation, and research cooperation in reducing development costs, improving technology quality, and expediting climate mitigation solutions. He urged exploring collaborations on sustainable fuels, storage systems, electric mobility, and critical minerals. In terms of economic reforms, Marcos highlighted that integrating innovation into regulatory policy development would create an environment conducive to green economy adoption.
The President also emphasized the need for a just energy transition that ensures access to affordable energy for underserved segments like MSMEs and rural communities. He advocated for supporting this ambition with quality jobs, workforce development, human resource upskilling, infrastructure connectivity, and blended finance packages.
In conclusion, President Marcos commended the United States for leading critical discussions and its exemplary chairmanship of APEC in 2023, guiding economies towards a sustainable and resilient future.