President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to depart for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 12, 2026, for a high-level working visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and advancing the Philippines’ sustainability and security agendas.
The visit comes at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, signaling a deepening partnership between the two nations.
A key highlight of the President’s itinerary is his participation in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), scheduled from January 11 to 15. President Marcos Jr. will join global heads of state, business leaders, and environmental advocates to address critical global challenges.
According to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the President will contribute to high-level discussions focusing on:
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Renewable energy and water security
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Climate-resilient financial frameworks
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Food security and environmental protection
The visit will also mark a historic milestone in Philippine-Middle East relations with the formal signing of two major bilateral instruments:
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Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): This represents the Philippines’ first-ever free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern nation. The CEPA is designed to significantly expand market access for Philippine goods and services, opening new economic corridors within the region.
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Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation: This agreement establishes a formal framework for technical and strategic collaboration. Undersecretary Castro noted that the MOU will serve as a foundation for developing the Philippines’ defense technologies through partnership with the UAE.
The administration emphasizes that this mission is centered on delivering tangible benefits to the Filipino people. “President Marcos Jr. firmly believes that his upcoming visit to Abu Dhabi will be meaningful and highly beneficial for the Filipino nation,” Undersecretary Castro stated during a Palace press briefing.
The working visit underscores the Philippines’ commitment to proactive diplomacy, seeking both economic opportunities and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing sustainability issues.
