A book on the substantive agenda of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 2015 was launched last March 4 at the Elpidio Quirino Hall of the Department of Foreign Affairs. A collaboration between the DFA and the Development Academy of the Philippines, the publication, entitled “A Report to the President of the Republic of the Philippines on the Substantive Agenda of APEC 2015,” traces the development of the APEC 2015 theme and    priorities, from the Philippines’ bid to host APEC 2015 to the actual hosting and chairmanship of several working group and committee meetings as well as high-level policy dialogues and sectoral ministerial meetings.  The book also serves as a record of the country’s contribution to the larger APEC agenda and its gains in advancing inclusive growth as expressed through its various initiatives under the theme “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.”

Shown in photo holding copies of the book at its launch are (from left) Ben Oliver M. Matias, the book’s editor; Department of Health Undersecretary Kenneth Hartigan-Go; DAP President Antonio D. Kalaw Jr.; DFA Undersecretary and DAP Eminent Fellow Laura Q. del Rosario; and Acting National Economic and   Development Authority Director-General  Emmanuel Esguerra.