President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. left for the U.S. on Sunday to participate in the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, where he will speak before foreign dignitaries and forge partnerships with other nations.
Marcos is set to speak before the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Sept. 20, to highlight the role the Philippines will play in the international community and discuss his administration's policies for economic development.
READ: Biden Calls Marcos Jr., Congratulates Him on Election Win
"The UN is where the countries of the world congregate to discuss the most pressing challenges facing our people. Thus, it is important for us to participate in the General Assembly and to make certain that our voice is heard," Marcos said in his departure speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
"I will share the Philippines' vision in people-centered development, highlighting our administration's thrust for economic recovery, food security, and agricultural productivity," he added.
Marcos said he will also meet with UN Secretary General António Guterres and other world leaders to discuss with them opportunities for stronger cooperation in food security, agriculture, renewable energy, and climate change.
He will likewise visit the Filipino community in the U.S. to thank them for their support in his administration.
U.S. President Joe Biden earlier invited Marcos to Washington after congratulating him for his election victory, saying that he "looks forward" to strengthening the alliance between the two countries.
Marcos has a standing contempt order in the U.S., but he may be able to enter the country due to the diplomatic immunity granted to him as head of state, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman earlier said, as quoted in an Inquirer report.
The contempt order stemmed from Marcos' refusal to cooperate with the District Court of Hawaii over a 1995 ruling that required his family to pay $2 billion of ill-gotten wealth to martial law victims.
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