President Marcos Jr. Arrives in UAE on Working Visit, Set to Witness Key Agreements

Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. arrived in the United Arab Emirates late Monday night for a one-day working visit that underscores the deepening diplomatic and economic ties between Manila and Abu Dhabi.

The aircraft carrying President Marcos touched down at Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi at 11:09 pm local time, where he was received by UAE Minister of State Saeed Al Hajeri, along with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver, according to official broadcaster RTVM.

This marks President Marcos’ second visit to the UAE in just 14 months, a signal of growing engagement between the two countries.

High-Level Engagements in Abu Dhabi

During his stay, President Marcos is scheduled to join fellow heads of state and government at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), a major global forum focused on cooperation around energy transition, water security, finance, food systems and environmental protection.

Ahead of the visit, the President said the Philippines would actively contribute to discussions on complex global challenges, while also drawing insights from international partners.

Key Agreements to Be Witnessed

A central highlight of the visit is the expected witnessing of two major bilateral agreements between the Philippines and the UAE:

• Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed at expanding Philippine market access in the Middle East and strengthening trade flows across the Gulf region.

• Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation, designed to establish a framework for collaboration in advanced defence technologies.

Officials believe these agreements will bring long-term benefits not only to the Philippine economy, but also to the nearly 900,000 Filipinos living and working in the UAE.

Business and Community Engagement

In addition to official engagements, President Marcos is scheduled to hold business meetings with key stakeholders and interact with members of the Filipino community in the UAE.

Diplomats say the visit also reflects rising interest among Philippine companies and entrepreneurs in opportunities linked to trade, investment, and business setup in dubai , as the UAE continues to position itself as a regional hub for commerce, innovation and sustainability.

Ambassador Alfonso Ver noted that the frequency of high-level visits highlights the strengthening partnership between the two nations, with emerging cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, climate adaptation, the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

President Marcos’ trip is considered historic, as he is the first Philippine leader to visit the UAE since former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s visit in 2008-marking a renewed chapter in bilateral relations.