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Advocates Philippines
Marcos Heads To UAE To Deepen Trade, Defense, And Climate Cooperation
Photo credit: PCO
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday for a working visit aimed at strengthening the growing partnership between Manila and Abu Dhabi, with a focus on trade, defense, and sustainable development.
The visit comes as relations between the two countries continue to gain momentum. President Marcos is scheduled to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the second time in just over a year, a notable development given that high-level visits between the two nations had stalled for more than a decade prior to 2024. Officials say the recent frequency of engagements reflects a renewed commitment on both sides to elevate bilateral ties.
A major highlight of the trip is President Marcos’ participation in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), an international forum that brings together global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss climate change, renewable energy, and sustainable economic growth. Philippine officials see the country’s participation as timely, citing its exposure to climate-related risks as well as its expanding experience in disaster preparedness, adaptation, and resilience.
This year’s ADSW is expected to host more than a dozen heads of state, underscoring its role as a key platform for international cooperation on sustainability and climate action.
Beyond climate discussions, the visit is also expected to yield significant economic and security outcomes. Among the anticipated agreements is the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a deal that has been under negotiation for several years. Once finalized, the CEPA is expected to enhance cooperation in trade, services, and investments, while giving the Philippines wider access to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Defense cooperation is also set to expand, with both countries expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding covering areas such as joint training, exchange of military officers, and information sharing. On the civilian side, Manila and Abu Dhabi already work together on security-related concerns, including terrorism, transnational crime, illegal drugs, and human trafficking.
Officials note that the relationship between the Philippines and the UAE is evolving beyond traditional labor ties, moving into new and strategic areas of collaboration. Emerging sectors identified for future cooperation include artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and the digital economy.
During his stay in Abu Dhabi, President Marcos is also scheduled to meet with business leaders and members of the Filipino community, highlighting the role of overseas Filipinos in strengthening economic and people-to-people links between the two countries.
The visit comes as relations between the two countries continue to gain momentum. President Marcos is scheduled to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the second time in just over a year, a notable development given that high-level visits between the two nations had stalled for more than a decade prior to 2024. Officials say the recent frequency of engagements reflects a renewed commitment on both sides to elevate bilateral ties.
A major highlight of the trip is President Marcos’ participation in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), an international forum that brings together global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss climate change, renewable energy, and sustainable economic growth. Philippine officials see the country’s participation as timely, citing its exposure to climate-related risks as well as its expanding experience in disaster preparedness, adaptation, and resilience.
This year’s ADSW is expected to host more than a dozen heads of state, underscoring its role as a key platform for international cooperation on sustainability and climate action.
Beyond climate discussions, the visit is also expected to yield significant economic and security outcomes. Among the anticipated agreements is the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a deal that has been under negotiation for several years. Once finalized, the CEPA is expected to enhance cooperation in trade, services, and investments, while giving the Philippines wider access to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Defense cooperation is also set to expand, with both countries expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding covering areas such as joint training, exchange of military officers, and information sharing. On the civilian side, Manila and Abu Dhabi already work together on security-related concerns, including terrorism, transnational crime, illegal drugs, and human trafficking.
Officials note that the relationship between the Philippines and the UAE is evolving beyond traditional labor ties, moving into new and strategic areas of collaboration. Emerging sectors identified for future cooperation include artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and the digital economy.
During his stay in Abu Dhabi, President Marcos is also scheduled to meet with business leaders and members of the Filipino community, highlighting the role of overseas Filipinos in strengthening economic and people-to-people links between the two countries.
Jan 12, 2026
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