President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. left Manila on Monday for a working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, defense and sustainable development, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver said.
During the visit, Marcos will meet with UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, marking their second engagement in just 14 months.
“In a short span of time, [President Marcos] will have met twice with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed. The previous high-level visit was 15 years ago. Symbolically and substantively, it really is a big thing,” Ver said.
Marcos’ trip, at the invitation of the UAE leader, will include his participation in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), a major global forum on climate action, renewable energy, and sustainable economic growth.
Ver emphasized the importance of the Philippines’ presence, noting the country’s vulnerability to climate change and its growing experience in adaptation and resilience.
“We’re one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, so we need all the help we can get. But we’re also here to share what we know and show what we’re doing,” he said.
The visit will also see the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defense Cooperation.
Ver said the CEPA, long under negotiation, will expand cooperation in trade, services, and investments while giving the Philippines broader access to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The defense MoU will enhance ties between Manila and Abu Dhabi, covering joint training, officer exchanges, and information sharing. Bilateral collaboration will also extend to civilian sectors, such as counterterrorism, transnational crime, illegal drugs and human trafficking.
Ver highlighted that Philippines–UAE relations have expanded beyond traditional labor cooperation into emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, and the digital economy.
Marcos is also scheduled to meet with business leaders and the Filipino commuity in Abu Dhabi.
During the President’s absence, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrad Estrella, and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian have been designated as caretakers. This marks the first time Recto and Gatchalian will serve as chairperson and member of the Executive Committee, respectively, during the President’s absence.
“The focus before was mainly on our workers, but now we see our relationship elevating to new, untapped levels,” Ver said.