04 March 2016 - The Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Undersecretary for International Economic Relations (DFA-OUIER) held a book launching event on the report on the substantive agenda of APEC 2015 at the Elpidio Quirino Hall of the Department of Foreign Affairs on March 04.

The book, entitled "A Report to the President of the Republic of the Philippines on the Substantive Agenda of APEC 2015," is a collaboration between the DFA and the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP). The publication follows the development of the APEC 2015 theme and priorities, from the Philippines' bid in 2011 to host APEC 2015 to the actual hosting and chairmanship of several working group and committee meetings, high-level policy dialogues, and sectoral ministerial meetings. The book also details the roles of the private sector, the academe, and international organizations in substantiating the APEC 2015 priorities, and how various government agencies developed their own APEC-wide initiatives. The Report also contains the Key APEC 2015 Statements and other documents and insights on various meetings hosted by the Philippines.

The Report also serves as a record of the Philippines' contribution to the larger APEC agenda and its gains in advancing inclusive growth expressed through its various initiatives under the theme "Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World."

Secretary for Socioeconomic-Planning and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Emmanuel Esguerra, and DAP President Dr. Antonio Kalaw, Jr. delivered the opening remarks and message, respectively. Members of the APEC 2015 Committee on Host Economy Priorities (CHEP) and Technical Board on APEC Matters (TBAM) were also present. Undersecretary Laura Del Rosario, who served as APEC 2015 Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) Chair, presented copies of the publication to TBAM and CHEP. END