President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived at Al Bateen Airport late Monday night, marking the start of a historic two-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates. Invited by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, this visit signifies the first time a Philippine head of state has visited the UAE since 2008.
The President was received by UAE Minister of State Saeed Al Hajeri, alongside Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Ambassador Alfonso Ver. The visit aims to solidify the rapidly deepening ties between the two nations, with a focus on economic expansion, regional security, and climate action.
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Global Leadership at ADSW: President Marcos to Join World Leaders at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). He intends to position the Philippines as a proactive contributor to global solutions regarding food security, water management, and renewable energy.
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Historic Economic Partnership: A cornerstone of the trip is the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). As the first free trade agreement of its kind between the two nations, it is designed to open massive market access for Philippine goods and services across the Gulf region.
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Defense & Technology Cooperation: The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation will create a formal framework for the two countries to collaborate on advanced defense technologies.
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Filipino Community Engagement: The President will meet with members of the 900,000-strong Filipino community in the UAE, emphasizing that the new trade and defense agreements will provide direct benefits to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.
In his departure statement, President Marcos emphasized the importance of international collaboration in tackling “complex and interconnected global issues.” Ambassador Alfonso Ver noted that this second visit in just 14 months highlights a new era of cooperation in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the digital economy, and climate adaptation. “This visit is a testament to the strengthening bond between Manila and Abu Dhabi. We are not just sharing perspectives; we are building a framework for the future,” said President Marcos.
The President’s itinerary also includes high-level business meetings to attract UAE investment into the Philippines’ renewable energy and technology sectors.
