Marcos made the call during his speech at the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, which opened on Friday in this capital, where he acknowledged the vital role of the 21-member bloc in promoting a stable and conducive environment for progress and prosperity, anchored on peace and collaboration.

The Philippine leader said that the APEC member economies should pursue a responsive and relevant multilateral trading system by ensuring compliance with existing agreements.

A free, fair, open, non-discriminatory, transparent, inclusive and predictable trade and investment environment will help the economies practice responsible policies that are crucial to ensure that everyone can fully participate and benefit from trade, Marcos stressed.

He added that fostering open markets, predictable and fair rules, and a system that works to adjudicate these views are hallmarks of a responsive and relevant multilateral trading system to build a strong global economy towards greener, more inclusive, and resilient societies.

President Marcos admitted that global trade has been a central feature in addressing the Covid-19 pandemic and supporting economic recovery.

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