APEC Philippines 2015

{{Infobox summit meeting

| name =

| other_titles =

| logo = APEC_2015_logo.png

| logo_alt =

| logo_size =

| image = APEC Philippines 2015 delegates.jpg

| alt =

| caption = APEC Philippines 2015 delegates attired in barong tagalog

| keypoints =

| motto = "Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World"

| country = Philippines

| date = 18—19 November

| venues = {{bold div|Main venue}}

Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay

{{Collapsible list

| title = 11 host locations

Clark
(January–February)
Subic
(January)
Tagaytay
(March)
Laoag
(April)
Manila
(April, July–November)
Bacolod
(April)
Boracay
(May)
Bagac
(June)
Iloilo City
(July, September–October)
Cebu City
(August–October)
Makati
(November)

}}

| follows = 2014

| precedes = 2016

| website = {{URL|http://apec2015.ph/}}

}}

APEC Philippines 2015 was the year-long hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings which concluded with the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting held on 18–19 November 2015 in Pasay, Metro Manila.{{cite web |url=http://apec.org/Events-Calendar.aspx |title=2015 Events Calendar |publisher=APEC.org |access-date=14 October 2015 |archive-date=10 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910231437/http://www.apec.org/Events-Calendar.aspx |url-status=dead }} It was the second time the Philippines hosted the summit, the first being in 1996.{{cite news |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/focus/11/09/15/philippines-and-apec-then-and-now |title=Philippines and APEC: Then and now |author=Grande, Gigi |date=10 November 2015 |work=ABS-CBN News|access-date=23 November 2015}}

The meetings were held amid simmering tensions between China and several nations, including the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam and Malaysia because of the former's aggressive policy of claiming several uninhabited islands in the South China Sea.{{cite news |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/545106/news/nation/south-china-sea-dispute-left-out-of-apec-meetings-paynor |title=South China Sea dispute left out of APEC meetings —Paynor |author=Alvarez, Kathrina Charmaine |date=19 November 2015 |publisher=GMA News Online |access-date=23 November 2015}} However, the Philippines decided to put aside the issue temporarily in keeping with its hosting duties. The summit was also held just days after the November 2015 Paris attacks which left 137 people dead, forcing the host country to enforce a lockdown of major streets near summit venues and hotels where the economic leaders were billeted, causing heavy traffic in major Metro Manila roads and inconvenience to commuters and motorists.{{cite news|url=http://www.philstar.com/news-feature/2015/11/16/1522502/apectado-traffic-sends-filipino-commuters-monday-walkathon|title=#APECtado: Traffic sends Filipino commuters to Monday 'walkathon'|work=The Philippine Star|date=16 November 2015|access-date=17 November 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/740218/apectado-by-traffic-people-turn-to-social-media-to-release-anger|title=#Apectado by traffic: People turn to social media to release anger|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|last=Balagtas See|first=Aie|date=16 November 2015|access-date=17 November 2015}}

Agenda

The agenda of the Philippines' hosting of APEC 2015 is exemplified through its theme which focuses on promoting and advancing inclusive growth in the Asia-Pacific region. This goal on promoting inclusive growth is divided into three stages: domestic/national, regional, and macro levels. There are also four priority set for APEC 2015:{{cite news|title=The Philippines’ hosting of APEC 2015|url=http://apec2015.ph/apec-2015/|access-date=19 November 2015|publisher=APEC Philippines 2015}}

Investing in Human Capital Development
Fostering Small and Medium Enterprises’ (SMEs) Participation in Regional and Global Markets
Building Sustainable and Resilient Communities
Enhancing the Regional Economic Integration Agenda

Branding

File:DANIELAGUILAR - DAR 4130 (23124142571).jpg

The official APEC 2015 logo and theme, "Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World", were unveiled during the event, as well as its official Facebook{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/apec2015ph |title=APEC Philippines 2015 Official Facebook Page |access-date=14 October 2015}} and Twitter{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/apec2015ph |title=APEC Philippines 2015 Official Twitter Account |access-date=14 October 2015}} accounts.

The logo design was donated by INKSURGE Design Studio. The circle in the logo represents a global community which is described as more connected, more integrated and more dynamic, and where each APEC member-economies, both advanced and emerging contribute to shared development. The design also depicts the 21 APEC member-economies as blue, red and yellow triangles connected by common waters.{{cite web|title=APEC 2015 Logo|url=http://apec2015.ph/apec-2015/logo/ |publisher=APEC Philippines 2015 |access-date=19 November 2015}}

The sustained and shared economic growth of the member-economies are represented through an arrow pointed upward at the center of the globe, an image formed by the 21 triangles. The light blue shade of the arrow symbolized the promising development of a member-economy resulting from positive interaction with partners and compliance to sound macroeconomic fundamentals. The triangle itself symbolizes balance which leads to a strong and stable economy.

The three colors of the triangles represents the APEC's Pillars of Progress or the Bogor Goals: 1) Trade and investment liberalization; 2) Business facilitation through cost reduction and efficiency of business transactions, and; 3) Economic and technical cooperation among APEC member-economies. These goals were first outlined and described during the 1994 APEC summit in Indonesia.

Preparations

File:Pres. Obama and HM Bolkiah APEC 2015.jpg and U.S. President Barack Obama wearing the barong tagalog at the welcome dinner, 18 November 2015]]

Preparations for APEC 2015 began with the signing of Administrative Order No. 36, s. 2012,{{cite web |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2012/11/28/administrative-order-no-36-s-2012/ |series=Administrative Order No. 36, s. 2012 |title=Creating the National Organizing Council for the Philippine hosting of the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, prescribing its authority and functions |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines|access-date=14 October 2015}} which constituted the APEC 2015 National Organizing Council. On 1 December 2014, President Benigno Aquino III led the APEC 2015 national launch at a dinner in Makati.{{cite news |title=Aquino leads APEC 2015 kick-off |work=ABS-CBN News|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/business/12/01/14/aquino-leads-apec-2015-kick |date=1 December 2014 |access-date=14 October 2015}} The Philippine government allocated approximately 10 billion pesos for the hosting of the APEC meetings.{{cite news|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/palace-defends-php10-b-budget-for-2015-apec-hosting/ |title=Palace defends Php10-B budget for 2015 APEC hosting |work=Manila Bulletin|agency=Philippines News Agency |date=13 November 2015 |access-date=13 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117114904/http://www.mb.com.ph/palace-defends-php10-b-budget-for-2015-apec-hosting/ |archivedate=17 November 2015 }}

=Security=

As part of the security measures for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, the government declared 17–20 November as school holidays and 18–19 November as special non-working days in Metro Manila.{{cite web |series=Proclamation No. 1072, s. 2015 |title=Declaring 18 and 19 November 2015 as Special (Non-Working) Days in the National Capital Region (NCR) |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2015/07/13/proclamation-no-1072-s-2015 |access-date=14 October 2015}}{{cite web |series=DepEd Memorandum |title=Conduct of make-up classes during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting |author=Almeda, Luz S. |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2015/08/10/deped-memorandum-make-up-classes-aelm/ |access-date=14 October 2015}}{{cite news |title=CHED-NCR Memorandum No. 51, s. 2015 |newspaper=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2015/09sep/20150918-CHED-NCR-MEMORANDUM-0051-BSA.PDF |date=18 September 2015 |access-date=14 October 2015}} Manila has also banned most activities in and around Roxas Boulevard and Manila Bay, such as fishing, sailing, swimming, and walking.{{cite news|title=Roxas Boulevard shut down due to Paris attacks - Manila official|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/740204/roxas-boulevard-shut-down-due-to-paris-attacks-manila-official|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were placed from blue alert to red alert status on 14 November in preparation for the five-day event. The raising of alert status was done ahead of schedule due to a procedure by the police following any international terrorist incident, such as the attacks in Paris which occurred a day earlier. Nevertheless, the PNP assured the public that the alert status is due routine procedure and it has not monitored any specific threat.{{cite news|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/14/1521860/red-alert-raised-apec-summit-following-paris-shooting|title='Red alert' raised for APEC summit following Paris shooting|work=The Philippine Star|last=Viray|first=Patricia Loudres|date=14 November 2015|access-date=15 November 2015}} The AFP deployed its land, air, and naval assets at several undisclosed positions within Metro Manila.{{cite news|last1=Viray|first1=Patricia Lourdes|title=Military deploys aircraft, warships for APEC security|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/16/1522537/military-deploys-aircraft-warships-apec-security|access-date=17 November 2015|work=The Philippine Star|date=16 November 2015}}

=Fashion and interior design=

As part of the APEC tradition, custom-made barong tagalog clothing were designed by fashion designer Paul Cabral for the economic leaders to wear during the "family-photo" portion of the event to showcase Philippine fashion and talent.{{cite news|title=World leaders to don pineapple shirts for Philippines APEC Summit|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/17/world-leaders-to-don-pineapple-shirts-for-philippines-apec-summit|newspaper=The Guardian|date=17 November 2015}} Meanwhile, Filipino industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue was hired as the APEC creative director and was put in charge of decorating the interior of the Mall of Asia Arena in preparation for the APEC Economic Leaders' Welcome Dinner on 18 November 2015. His venue design took inspiration from the Banaue Rice Terraces, a World Heritage Site.{{cite news|url=http://www.philstar.com/sunday-life/2015/11/22/1524404/kenneth-cobonpue-brought-rice-terraces-apec |title=Kenneth Cobonpue brought the rice terraces to the APEC |work=The Philippine Star|date=22 November 2015 |author=Yu, Doreen}}

Events

File:APEC Leaders' Meeting 2015.png in Pasay on 19 November 2015.]]

File:Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and People's Republic of China President Xi Jinping met in Manila, Philippines - APEC Economic Leader's Summit - 19 November 2015.webm receives Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the opening of the Economic Leader's Meeting]]

File:APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting - Manila, Philippines - 19 November 2015.webm

Makati in Metro Manila hosted the first APEC 2015 meeting, the Informal Senior Officials' Meeting (ISOM), from 8 to 9 December 2014. Originally slated to be held in Legazpi, Albay, the meeting was transferred to Makati as storm signals were raised in the former due to Typhoon Hagupit, locally known as Typhoon Ruby.{{cite news |title=Hagupit's first casualty: APEC meet in Albay |work=ABS-CBN News|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/12/03/14/hagupits-first-casualty-apec-meet-albay |access-date=14 October 2015}}

=Senior officials and ministerial meetings=

The First Senior Officials' Meeting and Related Meetings were held in Clark Freeport, Angeles, Pampanga and Subic Bay, Zambales, from 26 January to 7 February 2015.{{cite news |title=Senior APEC officials prepare for 'big party'|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/118421/senior-apec-officials-prepare-for-big-party/ |author1=Avendaño, Christine |author2=Calleja, Niña |date=14 October 2015 |access-date=14 October 2015}}

The island of Boracay in Aklan hosted the Second Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM2) and Related Meetings from 9–21 May 2015{{cite news|title=PH holds APEC Senior Officials’ Meetings in Boracay |work=Manila Bulletin|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/ph-government-holds-apec-senior-officials-meetings-in-boracay |date=22 May 2015 |access-date=14 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926013118/http://www.mb.com.ph/ph-government-holds-apec-senior-officials-meetings-in-boracay/ |archivedate=26 September 2015 }} and the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting from 23 to 24 May.{{cite news |title=APEC trade ministers meet on inclusive growth |work=Rappler|url=http://www.rappler.com/business/economy-watch/94217-apec-trade-ministers-meeting-boracay |date=24 May 2015 |access-date=14 October 2015}}

The Third Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM3) and Related Meetings were held in Cebu City from 22 August to 6 September, followed by the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting from 10 to 11 September. Other ministerial meetings and events were held in various locations in the Philippines, such as Iloilo City for the Small and Medium Enterprise ministerial meeting on 21–25 September, the Senior Disaster Management Officials Forum on 22–23 September, and the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Food Security and the Blue Economy and Related Meetings from 28 September to 6 October 2015 also in Iloilo City.{{cite news |url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/local-news/2015/09/14/drilon-sees-iloilo-convention-center-prime-destination-430229 |author=Pendon, Lydia C. |title=Drilon sees Iloilo Convention Center as prime destination |date=14 September 2015 |newspaper=Sun.Star Iloilo |access-date=14 October 2015}}

=CEO Summit=

The APEC CEO Summit was held on 16–18 November at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.{{cite news|last1=Magtulis|first1=Prinz|title=How much does attending the APEC CEO Summit cost?|url=http://www.philstar.com/news-feature/2015/11/18/1523321/how-much-does-attending-apec-ceo-summit-cost|access-date=19 November 2015|work=The Philippine Star|date=18 November 2015}} The theme of summit was "Creating the Future: Better, Stronger, Together".{{cite web|title=APEC CEO Summit 2015 |url=https://apec2015ceosummit.ph/apec-2015-ceo-summit/ |publisher=APEC CEO Summit 2015 |access-date=19 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120000301/https://apec2015ceosummit.ph/apec-2015-ceo-summit/ |archivedate=20 November 2015 }}

=Economic Leaders' Meeting=

The highlight of the series of meetings, the Economic Leaders' Meeting, was held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay, Metro Manila on 18–19 November.{{cite news|last1=Calica|first1=Aurea|title=APEC organizers appeal for public cooperation|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/13/1521352/apec-organizers-appeal-public-cooperation|access-date=13 November 2015|work=The Philippine Star|date=13 November 2015}} On the evening of 18 November, President Aquino hosted a welcome dinner for the visiting economic leaders at the Mall of Asia Arena.{{cite news|title=LOOK: Kenneth Cobonpue designs chairs, tokens for APEC dinner|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/v2/11/12/15/look-kenneth-cobonpue-designs-chairs-tokens-for-apec-dinner|access-date=13 November 2015|work=ABS-CBN News|publisher=ABS-CBN Corporation|date=12 November 2015}}

==Attendees==

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos represented his country in an observer status in the Economic Leaders' Meeting.{{cite news|last1=Sabater-Namit |first1=Madel |last2=Kabiling |first2=Genalyn |title=Chinese President Xi coming for APEC |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/chinese-president-xi-coming-for-apec/ |access-date=10 November 2015 |work=Manila Bulletin|date=10 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118161359/http://www.mb.com.ph/chinese-president-xi-coming-for-apec/ |archivedate=18 November 2015 }}

A week prior to the Economic Leaders' Meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, both of whom had initially announced their attendance, decided not to attend in the occasion citing their attendance to address their own domestic issues, particularly the ongoing investigation of the Metrojet Flight 9268 crash and the 2015 Southeast Asian haze, respectively.{{cite news|title=Vladimir Putin to skip APEC 2015 summit|url=http://rbth.com/2015/11/13/vladimir-putin-to-skip-apec-2015-summit_539963|access-date=13 November 2015|work=Russia Beyond the Headlines|date=13 November 2015}} Putin was represented by former Russian President, now Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev who was also scheduled to visit other Southeast Asian countries. Widodo was represented by his trade minister Thomas Lembong and Vice President Jusuf Kalla.{{cite news|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/12/1521144/putin-widodo-skip-apec|title=Putin, Widodo to skip APEC|work=The Philippine Star|last=Adel|first=Rosselle|date=12 November 2015|access-date=12 November 2015}}{{cite news|title=Indonesian President Widodo to skip APEC Summit|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/11/12/Indonesian-President-Widodo-to-skip-APEC-summit.html|date=12 November 2015|work=CNN Philippines|access-date=12 November 2015|archive-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116155425/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/11/12/Indonesian-President-Widodo-to-skip-APEC-summit.html|url-status=dead}}

This was the first APEC meeting for Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau since their inaugurations on 15 September 2015 and 4 November 2015, respectively.{{cite news|author1=Jennett, Greg|title=Malcolm Turnbull embarks on five-nation tour, meeting 20 world leaders|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-12/malcolm-turnbull-embarks-on-his-first-major-overseas-trip/6931842|access-date=13 November 2015|work=ABC News|date=13 November 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Harris|first1=Kathleen|title=Justin Trudeau to push middle-class message in debut on world stage|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-trudeau-obama-apec-g20-1.3315874|access-date=13 November 2015|work=CBC News|date=12 November 2015}}

It was also the last APEC meeting for the host, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III (who stepped down on 30 June 2016, following the 2016 Philippine presidential election and the inauguration of Rodrigo Duterte), as well as Vietnamese President Trương Tấn Sang (who stepped down on 2 April 2016), Peruvian President Ollanta Humala (who stepped down on 28 July 2016, following the 2016 Peruvian election), and South Korean President Park Geun-hye (who was ousted on 10 March 2017, following her impeachment in the 2016 South Korean political scandal).

colspan=4\| Attendees at the 2015 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting
class="wikitable collapsible sortable collapsed" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align:center; width:45%;"
width=30%\|Member Economy !width=10%\|Position !Name
{{flag\|Australia}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Malcolm\|Turnbull}}
{{flag\|Brunei}}	Sultan	{{sortname\|Hassanal\|Bolkiah}}
{{flag\|Canada}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Justin\|Trudeau}}
{{flag\|Chile}}	President	{{sortname\|Michelle\|Bachelet}}
{{flag\|China}}	President{{efn\|name=china\|The president of China is legally a ceremonial representative with no real power, but the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (de facto leader in one-party communist state) has always held this office since 1993 except for the months of transition.}}	{{sortname\|Xi\|Jinping	Xi, Jinping}}
{{flag\|Colombia}} {{small\|(invited guest)}}	President	{{sortname\|Juan Manuel\|Santos}}
{{flag\|Hong Kong}}	Chief Executive	{{sortname\|Leung\|Chun-ying	Leung, Chun-ying}}
{{flag\|Indonesia}}*	Vice President	{{sortname\|Jusuf\|Kalla}}
{{flag\|Japan}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Shinzō\|Abe}}
{{sort \| 1 = Korea, South \| 2 = {{flag\|South Korea}} }}	President	{{sortname\|Park\|Geun-hye	Park, Geun-hye}}
{{flag\|Malaysia}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Najib\|Razak}}
{{flag\|Mexico}}	President	{{sortname\|Enrique\|Peña Nieto}}
{{flag\|New Zealand}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|John\|Key}}
{{flag\|Papua New Guinea}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Peter\|O'Neill}}
{{flag\|Peru}}	President	{{sortname\|Ollanta\|Humala}}
{{flag\|Philippines}}	President	{{sortname\|Benigno\|Aquino III}} (host)
{{flag\|Russia}}*	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Dmitry\|Medvedev}}
{{flag\|Singapore}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Lee\|Hsien Loong	Lee, Hsien Loong}}
{{flag\|Taiwan}}	\|Special Representative	{{sortname\|Siew\|Wan-chang\|Siew Wan-chang}}
{{flag\|Thailand}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Prayuth\|Chan-ocha}}
{{flag\|United States}}	President	{{sortname\|Barack\|Obama}}
{{flag\|Vietnam}}	President{{efn\|name=vietnam\|The actual head of government of Vietnam is the Prime Minister. The President of Vietnam is legally the head of state, but the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam is the practical highest political leader in one-party communist state.}}	{{sortname\|Trương\|Tấn Sang	Trương, Tấn Sang}}
class="sortbottom" \|colspan=3\|(*) Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the leaders summit. Representatives of both countries were sent and attended on their behalf.

==Declaration==

The declaration was sealed by the APEC economic leaders on 19 November 2015. Among the five main points of the declaration were related to fighting terrorism, poverty and climate change, continuous economic growth, and the global economic outlook.{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/19/1523689/5-main-points-2015-apec-declaration-manila |title=5 main points of the 2015 APEC declaration in Manila |work=The Philippine Star|date=19 November 2015 |access-date=20 November 2015}}

==Bilateral meetings==

Aside from the Economic Leaders' Meeting itself, some leaders met with each other in separate bilateral meetings within the week of the leaders' meet.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto were hosted state visits by Aquino at Malacañang Palace on 16 and 17 November, respectively, prior to the meeting.{{cite news|last1=de Leon|first1=Patricia|title=PH, Chile sign trade and disaster preparedness deals|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/11/16/Philippines-Chile-trade-disaster-preparedness-agreements-Aquino-Bachelet-state-visit.html|access-date=16 November 2015|work=CNN Philippines|date=16 November 2015|archive-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116140007/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/11/16/Philippines-Chile-trade-disaster-preparedness-agreements-Aquino-Bachelet-state-visit.html|url-status=dead}}

Aquino met with U.S. President Barack Obama on 18 November. During their meeting, Obama reassured the United States' commitment to assisting the Philippines in resolving the territorial disputes in the South China Sea through joint exercises between the AFP and the United States Armed Forces, known as Balikatan ("shoulder-to-shoulder").{{cite news|last1=Bacani|first1=Louis|title=Obama meets with PNoy, vows to enhance defense alliance|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/18/1523265/obama-meets-pnoy-vows-enhance-defense-alliance|access-date=21 November 2015|work=The Philippine Star|date=18 November 2015}} Prior to the meeting, Obama met with the Philippine Navy and visited the BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15), where he announced that the U.S. government would donate the research vessel RV Melville and two Hamilton-class cutters to the Philippine Navy, one of which will be the USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719).{{cite news|title=PH to get 3rd Hamilton-class warship from US|url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/113195-philippine-navy-get-boutwell-cutter|access-date=18 November 2015|work=Rappler|date=18 November 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Gagalac|first1=Ron|title=Obama: US to give 2 more ships to PH|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/17/15/obama-us-to-give-2-more-ships-to-ph|access-date=17 November 2015|work=ABS-CBN News|publisher=ABS-CBN Corporation|date=17 November 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Cahiles|first1=Gerg|title=Obama: U.S. to transfer two vessels to Philippine Navy|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/11/17/Obama-U.S.-to-transfer-two-vessels-to-PH-navy.html|access-date=17 November 2015|work=CNN Philippines|date=17 November 2015|archive-date=18 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118053755/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/11/17/Obama-U.S.-to-transfer-two-vessels-to-PH-navy.html|url-status=dead}} Aquino also met with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev later that day.{{cite news|last1=Sabillo|first1=Kristine Angeli|title=Russia wants military, defense cooperation pact with PH|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/131882/russia-wants-military-defense-cooperation-pact-with-ph|access-date=22 November 2015|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=18 November 2015}}

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and Obama held a bilateral meeting on 19 November and talked about issues on the reallocation of U.S. Marines from the US base in Okinawa to Guam and the planned Trans-Pacific Partnership.{{cite news|title=Obama pitches trade deal, deeper cooperation with Japan|url=http://www.philstar.com/world/2015/11/19/1523837/obama-pitches-trade-deal-deeper-cooperation-japan|access-date=19 November 2015|agency=Associated Press|work=The Philippine Star|date=19 November 2015}}

Criticism

=Travel impact=

Commuters and motorists took on social networking sites on the heavy traffic situation caused by the road closures and rerouting schemes in different Metro Manila roads in anticipation to the APEC meeting. Palace spokesperson Edwin Lacierda apologized for the inconvenience brought about by the heavy traffic in Manila roads and asking the public for patience on the road advisories being implemented.{{cite web|url=http://politics.com.ph/malacanang-appeals-for-patience-on-apec-traffic-rerouting-scheme/|title=Malacañang appeals for patience on APEC traffic rerouting scheme|publisher=Politiko|date=17 November 2015|access-date=18 November 2015}}

=Treatment of homeless people=

Human Rights Watch has reported that the government's preparation for the Economic Leaders' Meeting extended to the homeless and impoverished people, including street children and vendors, who were either detained or relocated to other parts of Metro Manila.{{cite web|title=Philippines mass arrests APEC Summit|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/11/15/philippines-mass-arrests-apec-summit|date=11 November 2015}} The government denied such allegations of abuse and said that the actions were not only done for the APEC summit and such are part of its regular outreach program.{{cite news|last1=Orendain|first1=Simone|title=Manila Clears the Streets Ahead of APEC Summit|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/manila-clears-the-streets-ahead-of-apec-summit/3059729.html|access-date=17 November 2015|publisher=Voice of America|date=16 November 2015}}

=Protests=

During the APEC Economic Leaders' Summit on 18–19 November, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan conducted protests along Gil Puyat Avenue, Pasay, against China's aggressive policy of claiming islands in the South China Sea, against the United States regarding what they describe as US imperialism because of the Philippines–United States Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), as well as APEC itself, globalization, and poverty in the Philippines.{{cite news|title=Filipino protesters take streets against APEC Summit|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/filipino-protesters-take-streets-against-apec-summit-n461951|work=NBC News|publisher=NBCUniversal}}{{cite news|title=The Latest: Chinese President Reassures on Slowing Economy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/11/16/world/asia/ap-as-apec-the-latest.html?_r=0|access-date=21 November 2015|work=The New York Times|date=17 November 2015}} Meanwhile, tribal leaders and members from various Lumad tribes in Mindanao also gathered at the Redemptorist Church grounds in Baclaran, Pasay, to protest what they describe as APEC's promotion of militarization and encroachment of indigenous communities in favor of resource extraction by transnational mining companies.{{cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/739354/lumad-protesters-call-for-junking-of-apec-eye-march-to-mendiola |title=‘Lumad’ protesters call for junking of Apec, eye march to Mendiola |date=13 November 2015 |author=Gonzales, Yuji Vincent |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|access-date=23 November 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/112970-lumad-protest-camp-hidden-view-apec |title=Lumad protest camp hidden from view |author=Orante, Bea |date=16 November 2015 |work=Rappler|access-date=23 November 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/740764/lumads-catholic-church-leaders-take-part-in-candle-light-protest-vs-apec |title=Lumads, Catholic Church leaders slam APEC summit |author=Mangosing, Frances |date=18 November 2015 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|access-date=25 November 2015}}

On 18 November, members of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) staged their own protest action in Makati while dressed as animal mascots. PETA called on APEC economic leaders to promote to climate change awareness and conversion to vegan life for the welfare of the animals.{{cite news |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/544883/news/nation/groups-hold-protest-actions-amid-manila-s-hosting-of-apec-summit |title=Groups hold protest actions amid Manila’s hosting of APEC Summit |date=18 November 2015 |publisher=GMA News Online |access-date=25 November 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/11/18/1523300/makati-police-stops-peta-activists-dressed-animals |title=Makati police stops PETA activists dressed as animals |author=Frialde, Mike |date=18 November 2015 |work=The Philippine Star|access-date=25 November 2015}}

Notes

References

External links

[http://apec2015.ph/ APEC Philippines 2015 official website]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20151120003953/https://apec2015ceosummit.ph/ APEC 2015 CEO Summit]

Category:Presidency of Benigno Aquino III

2015

Category:2015 in economic history

Category:Economic history of the Philippines

Category:Diplomatic conferences in the Philippines

Category:21st-century diplomatic conferences

Category:2015 in international relations

Category:2015 conferences

Category:History of Metro Manila

Category:2015 in the Philippines

Category:November 2015 in the Philippines

colspan=4\| Attendees at the 2015 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting
class="wikitable collapsible sortable collapsed" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align:center; width:45%;"
width=30%\|Member Economy !width=10%\|Position !Name
{{flag\|Australia}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Malcolm\|Turnbull}}
{{flag\|Brunei}}	Sultan	{{sortname\|Hassanal\|Bolkiah}}
{{flag\|Canada}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Justin\|Trudeau}}
{{flag\|Chile}}	President	{{sortname\|Michelle\|Bachelet}}
{{flag\|China}}	President{{efn\|name=china\|The president of China is legally a ceremonial representative with no real power, but the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (de facto leader in one-party communist state) has always held this office since 1993 except for the months of transition.}}	{{sortname\|Xi\|Jinping	Xi, Jinping}}
{{flag\|Colombia}} {{small\|(invited guest)}}	President	{{sortname\|Juan Manuel\|Santos}}
{{flag\|Hong Kong}}	Chief Executive	{{sortname\|Leung\|Chun-ying	Leung, Chun-ying}}
{{flag\|Indonesia}}*	Vice President	{{sortname\|Jusuf\|Kalla}}
{{flag\|Japan}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Shinzō\|Abe}}
{{sort \| 1 = Korea, South \| 2 = {{flag\|South Korea}} }}	President	{{sortname\|Park\|Geun-hye	Park, Geun-hye}}
{{flag\|Malaysia}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Najib\|Razak}}
{{flag\|Mexico}}	President	{{sortname\|Enrique\|Peña Nieto}}
{{flag\|New Zealand}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|John\|Key}}
{{flag\|Papua New Guinea}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Peter\|O'Neill}}
{{flag\|Peru}}	President	{{sortname\|Ollanta\|Humala}}
{{flag\|Philippines}}	President	{{sortname\|Benigno\|Aquino III}} (host)
{{flag\|Russia}}*	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Dmitry\|Medvedev}}
{{flag\|Singapore}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Lee\|Hsien Loong	Lee, Hsien Loong}}
{{flag\|Taiwan}}	\|Special Representative	{{sortname\|Siew\|Wan-chang\|Siew Wan-chang}}
{{flag\|Thailand}}	Prime Minister	{{sortname\|Prayuth\|Chan-ocha}}
{{flag\|United States}}	President	{{sortname\|Barack\|Obama}}
{{flag\|Vietnam}}	President{{efn\|name=vietnam\|The actual head of government of Vietnam is the Prime Minister. The President of Vietnam is legally the head of state, but the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam is the practical highest political leader in one-party communist state.}}	{{sortname\|Trương\|Tấn Sang	Trương, Tấn Sang}}
class="sortbottom" \|colspan=3\|(*) Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the leaders summit. Representatives of both countries were sent and attended on their behalf.