Metro Manila, Philippines— President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to meet at least six world leaders on the sidelines of his trip to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly next week, a Philippine diplomat bared Friday.
“He probably has six to eight meetings with heads of state,” Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez told CNN Philippines’ The Source on Friday.
Romualdez said Marcos is expected to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob during his trip set from Sept. 18 to 24.
“I think the President of the EU (European Union) is also expected to have a bilateral meeting with President Marcos. I think there are two others awaiting confirmation,” he said, adding there are also requests to meet with heads of state from Latin America and African states.
Romualdez said Marcos will definitely see US President Joe Biden, who will host a reception on the 21st for all heads of state attending the UNGA. It is uncertain, however, if the two leaders will get to have a sit-down discussion.
“Definitely, they will be meeting there. But of course, we are looking at an opportunity for them to sit down and have a longer discussion on our relationship,” he added.
“As I told you, schedules for these bilateral meetings, this is really something that cannot be confirmed but it will only start as we get closer. We all know the sad news about Queen Elizabeth’s passing and so President Biden has already said that he’ll be going to London so that kind of changed a lot of schedules,” Romualdez also said.
The 77th session of the UNGA is going to be the first in-person assembly among the heads of state since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.
Marcos is expected to tackle climate change, food security, and rule of law in his speech during the High-Level General Debate on September 20 at around 3:15 or 3:30 p.m. in New York (3:15 or 3:30 a.m. Philippine time on September 21).
Romualdez added that during the trip, the President may participate in a CEO roundtable discussion or be represented by his economic team in case his schedule would not permit it. He will also be meeting companies with investment and expansion plans in the Philippines.
