Arroyo to leave for HK Monday

MANILA, Philippines – Following her week-long trip to Peru, President Arroyo is set to leave Monday night for Hong Kong to attend the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting in Hong Kong. In a radio interview, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said President Arroyo will be the second speaker after former United States President William “Bill” Clinton at the CGI plenary meeting. Topics for the CGI, scheduled on Dec. 2 to 3, include education, public health, energy and climate change, Dureza said. “The President is among the recognized leaders who have been requested by former President Bill Clinton to be a resource person,” Dureza said. “Kinumbida ang ating Pangulo to share her own insights on these particular issues at alam naman natin ang ating Pangulo had been a leader already in the advocacy for the poor and the vulnerable amongst nations especially dito sa economic crisis ngayon,” he added. ("The President was invited to share her own insights on these particular issues. We know that the President had been leader already in advocating for the poor and the vulnerable amongst nations, especially in light of the current economic crisis.") Dureza added that at the sidelines of the meeting, the President will tackle the country's economic reform with global leaders. “In these particular meetings, she always takes advantage that world leaders are together and she can probably take up some of the issues,” Dureza said. The CGI is a forum that brings together government, civil society, and business leaders to address the most pressing issues confronting the world today. This is the first time it will be held outside the US, Dureza noted. Dureza said President Arroyo will return to the country immediately on December 3 “because there is no time to waste.” “This is actually to prepare our country now to be able to withstand yung mga effects nitong (the effects of) global crisis. And in a long term, after she relinquishes the presidency in 2010, the country will be prepared to weather the crisis, if there will be any to come our way,” Dureza said. Dureza had earlier said that in the recently-concluded Asia Pacific Economic Conference in Peru, President Arroyo advocated the interests of the less developed economies in the midst of the global financial challenges. He said the President is expected to take the same advocacy to the CGI meeting. - GMANews.TV