President Bongbong Marcos traveled to the United Arab Emirates on Monday for a three-day official visit aimed at expanding economic access, strengthening defense cooperation, and advancing sustainability partnerships between the two countries.
Malacañang said the primary purpose of the visit is the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA, which is expected to broaden cooperation in trade, services, and investments while giving the Philippines greater access to the wider Gulf Cooperation Council market.
“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 in his departure message.
“Any mutually beneficial arrangement between our two nations will not only benefit Filipinos at home, but also Filipinos in the UAE,” he added, noting the large Filipino workforce in the Gulf state.
Another key objective of the trip is the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation, which Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver said would enhance joint training, officer exchanges, and information sharing between the two militaries.
“Kasi they also have very highly developed defense capabilities here that we can benefit from. Like we also have a security agreement with them,” Ver said in an interview with Radio Television Malacañang.
“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 added.
The visit also seeks to position the Philippines within global sustainability discussions, with Marcos scheduled to participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week alongside other world leaders to address climate change, renewable energy, and sustainable economic development.
“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,” Marcos said.
Malacañang said the Philippines is also pursuing cooperation with the UAE in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and the digital economy as part of its long-term development strategy.
The trip was undertaken at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and reflects efforts by both governments to deepen bilateral engagement through concrete economic, security, and sustainability initiatives.
