President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to embark on a working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday, aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between Manila and Abu Dhabi in trade, defense, and sustainable development.
President Marcos is scheduled to meet with United Arab Emirates President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, marking their second engagement in just 14 months and highlighting the growing strength and continuity of the Philippines–UAE bilateral relationship following a 15-year interval in high-level visits.
In an interview with Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver emphasized that the President’s visit reflects the accelerating momentum in bilateral relations.
“This is the second in about 14 months, noong November 2024. So in a short span of time, dalawang beses sila magkikita with His Highness the President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE. And before that, it was 15 years bago ulit nagka-visit, so tapos biglang magkasunod. Symbolically and substantively, ang laki nung ibig sabihin noon,” Ver said.
The President’s working visit to Abu Dhabi is being undertaken upon the invitation of the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
A key highlight of the visit is President Marcos’ participation in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), a major global forum that brings together world leaders and policymakers to address climate change, renewable energy, and sustainable economic development.
Ver stressed the importance of the Philippines’ participation in the annual forum, citing the country’s vulnerability to climate change and its growing experience in adaptation and resilience.
“Alam mo, sinasabi nila we’re one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, so we need all the help that we can get. But aside from that, we’re also here to share what we know para ibahagi at ibida rin natin mga ginagawa natin—kasi nga dahil malaki na ang experience natin diyan, alam na rin natin, and we want to share to the world,” Ver said.
Ver added that the forum is expected to host at least 12 to 14 heads of state this year, including President Marcos, further underscoring its significance as a platform for high-level international dialogue.
During the visit, the Philippines and the UAE are expected to sign several important agreements, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which Ver said has been under negotiation for years.
“We were one of the very first countries to be offered to conclude this agreement, and finally, we’re doing it. And it just goes to show nag-iiba na rin ang relations natin dito,” Ver said.
According to Ver, the CEPA will expand cooperation in trade, services, and investments, while providing the Philippines greater access to the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, aside from the UAE.
Aside from the CEPA, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation is also expected to be signed during the visit.
Ver said the agreement will enhance defense cooperation between the two countries, including joint training, exchange of officers, and information sharing.
“Kasi they also have very highly developed defense capabilities here that we can benefit from. Like we also have a security agreement with them,” he said.
Ver added that on the civilian side, Manila and Abu Dhabi also collaborate on information sharing related to terrorism, transnational crime, illegal drugs, and human trafficking.
“So, iba na ang level natin. It’s all expanding into previously untapped na hindi natin—kasi nga of course the focus is on our workers. Now we see that we’ve elevated our relations,” he said.
Ver said some of the emerging areas of cooperation likewise include artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and the digital economy – sectors where the Philippines has growing strengths and competitive advantages.
President Marcos is also scheduled to hold several business meetings and meet with the Filipino community during his visit to Abu Dhabi. | PND
