President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. left Manila on Monday for a working visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Marcos’ trip, his first overseas travel this year, is upon the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
During the Jan. 12 to 14 visit, the President is set to attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a global forum that brings together heads of state and government to discuss pressing global concerns, including energy transition, water security, sustainable finance, food systems and environmental protection.
Marcos is also scheduled to hold several business meetings and meet with members of the Filipino community during his stay in Abu Dhabi.
Aside from multilateral engagements, the President is expected to witness the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which will be the Philippines’ first free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country.
The deal aims to expand Philippine market access in the region and deepen economic ties between Manila and Abu Dhabi.
A defense cooperation agreement is likewise expected to be signed during the visit, seeking to strengthen collaboration between the Philippines and the UAE in developing defense technologies and capabilities.
“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,” Marcos said, as quoted in Palace news release announcing his departure.
The Chief Executive noted that the UAE is home to around 900,000 Filipinos, about the population of a mid-sized province in the Philippines; thus, any mutually beneficial arrangement will not only benefit Filipinos at home, but also Filipinos in the UAE.
“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, and will endeavor to further enrich our relationships with other important partners,” the President 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,” the President added.
To ensure continuity of government operations, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian have been designated as government caretakers during the President’s absence. (PNA)