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Marcos Lands In UAE For High-Level Talks, Trade Deal Signing
Screengrab from RTVM
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has arrived in the United Arab Emirates for a quick but high-impact working visit, following an invitation from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Marcos’ plane touched down at Abu Dhabi’s Al Bateen Airport late Monday night, which was already early Tuesday morning in Manila. He was welcomed by UAE Minister of State Saeed Al Hajeri, alongside Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver.
The President is set to join fellow world leaders at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a major global forum tackling urgent issues such as energy transition, water security, sustainable finance, food systems, and environmental protection.
One of the biggest highlights of the trip is the expected signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation. Once finalized, CEPA will mark the Philippines’ first free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country, opening wider market access for Filipino products and businesses across the Gulf region.
The defense cooperation MOU, meanwhile, aims to lay down a framework for collaboration in defense technologies and capabilities between the Philippines and the UAE.
Before leaving Manila, Marcos said the outcomes of this visit are expected to benefit not only Filipinos back home but also the nearly 900,000 Filipinos living and working in the UAE.
Aside from his multilateral engagements, the President is also scheduled to hold business meetings and meet with members of the Filipino community during his brief stay in Abu Dhabi.
Marcos’ plane touched down at Abu Dhabi’s Al Bateen Airport late Monday night, which was already early Tuesday morning in Manila. He was welcomed by UAE Minister of State Saeed Al Hajeri, alongside Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver.
The President is set to join fellow world leaders at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a major global forum tackling urgent issues such as energy transition, water security, sustainable finance, food systems, and environmental protection.
One of the biggest highlights of the trip is the expected signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation. Once finalized, CEPA will mark the Philippines’ first free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country, opening wider market access for Filipino products and businesses across the Gulf region.
The defense cooperation MOU, meanwhile, aims to lay down a framework for collaboration in defense technologies and capabilities between the Philippines and the UAE.
Before leaving Manila, Marcos said the outcomes of this visit are expected to benefit not only Filipinos back home but also the nearly 900,000 Filipinos living and working in the UAE.
Aside from his multilateral engagements, the President is also scheduled to hold business meetings and meet with members of the Filipino community during his brief stay in Abu Dhabi.
Jan 13, 2026
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