PH to host next World Economic Forum

DEBUT IN DAVOS President Aquino keynotes the World Economic Forum (WEF) activity, “Partnering Against Corruption Initiative-Private Reception,” in Davos, Switzerland, where he said transparency and a level playing field remain his administration’s priorities. It is Mr. Aquino’s first time at the WEF. Malacañang Photo Bureau

DAVOS, Switzerland—After President Benigno Aquino’s debut at the World Economic Forum annual meeting here, the Philippines has agreed to host the next annual WEF summit focused on East Asian concerns.

Aquino announced in a chat with Philippine journalists covering him Friday night (Swiss time) that the Philippines would host the WEF East Asia Summit in 2014.

Myanmar is hosting this Asian-focused regional WEF summit this year, taking over from Thailand’s hosting in 2012.

“Of course, it will not be as widely attended as the one here in Davos. But again, it puts us at the center stage of the world map for that period, which is something like July or so,” Aquino said.

The WEF East Asia summit is attended by about a thousand business leaders, policy-makers, academicians and civil society.

“The details will have to be worked out. It was offered to us and I accepted hosting the event,” he said.

The President met with WEF founder and executive chair Klaus Schwab, a German economist, during his visit to Davos.

Deemed by many as the de facto private sector representative of the world, WEF is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

The theme of the 43rd World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is “Resilient Dynamism” given various challenges faced by the global economy.