January 13, 2026
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. departed for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday to witness the signing of new trade and defense agreements with the Middle Eastern nation.
The plane carrying Marcos and the rest of the Philippine delegation departed from Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at 6:30 p.m..
“Tonight, I will embark on a working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), upon the invitation of a dear friend of the Philippines, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” Marcos said in his departure speech, as provided by the Presidential Communications Office.
“I will join other Heads of State and Government in the discussions and collaborative efforts to advance global sustainability. 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,” he added.
READ: Marcos special envoy to UAE lauds landmark Middle East free trade pact
During the working visit, which marks President Marcos’ first official foreign trip of 2026, the Philippines and the UAE will sign the landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation.
“The Philippines-UAE CEPA, our very first FTA [free trade agreement] with a country in the Middle East, will expand the market access of the Philippines in the Middle East, particularly in the Gulf Region,” Marcos said.
“Meanwhile, the MOU on Defense Cooperation will serve as a strong platform for collaboration with the UAE for advanced defense technologies,” he added.
During the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Marcos and leaders from other nations will discuss issues related to energy, water, finance, food, and the environment.
Joining Marcos in the trip are Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Finance Acting Secretary Frederick Go, Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez, Information and Communications Secretary Henry Aguda, and Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Alfonso Ver.
The UAE is home to 900,000 Filipinos, which is about the population of a mid-sized province in the Philippines.
“I am confident that upon my return, I will bring good news on the new heights of our friendship and collaboration with the UAE, as well as on the shared vision and strategy with our global partners on sustainability, for the benefit of the Filipino people,” Marcos said. /mcm/gsg