President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. departed Monday night for a working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to finalize key trade and defense agreements and to participate in high-level discussions at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

The visit is upon the invitation of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and underscores the deepening ties between the Philippines and the UAE.

During the trip, the two countries are set to sign the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation. 

In his departure speech, Marcos described the agreements as a testament to the strong bilateral relationship between Filipinos and Emiratis.

“The signing of these two agreements is a testament to the deep bilateral ties between our two countries, and more importantly, between Filipinos and Emiratis,” the President said. 

The CEPA marks the Philippines’ first free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country and is expected to significantly expand Philippine market access in the Gulf region. 

The defense cooperation MOU, meanwhile, will provide a platform for collaboration in advanced defense technologies.

Marcos also highlighted the importance of the UAE to the Philippines, noting that the country hosts around 900,000 Filipinos—roughly the population of a mid-sized Philippine province. 

He said mutually beneficial agreements would have a positive impact not only on Filipinos at home but also on overseas Filipino workers in the UAE.

In addition to bilateral engagements, Marcos will attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where he will join fellow heads of state and government in addressing global challenges related to sustainability.

“The forum will endeavor to find solutions to the challenges of the present and of the future, to which a unified approach by the community of nations is required,” the President said.

He added that the Philippines will actively participate in discussions on energy, water, finance, food, and environmental issues, and aims to gain valuable insights from other world leaders.

“As we start the new year, the Philippines will further pursue its goal to forge collaborations with new partners who share our vision of a sustainable world,” President Marcos said.

“I am confident that upon my return, I will bring good news on the new heights of our friendship and collaboration with the UAE, as well as on the shared vision and strategy with our global partners on sustainability, for the benefit of the Filipino people,” he added.