President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived in the United Arab Emirates late Monday (early Tuesday, Manila time) for a one-day working visit upon the invitation of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The plane carrying Marcos landed at Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi at 11:09 p.m. (3:09 a.m. Manila time).

Marcos was received by UAE Minister of State Saeed Al Hajeri, along with Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver.

During the visit, Marcos is set to join fellow heads of state and government attending the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), a global forum that brings together leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to address pressing and interconnected challenges such as energy transition, water security, sustainable finance, food systems, and environmental protection.

Another key highlight of the visit is the expected signing of the landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation.

The CEPA will be the Philippines’ first free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country and expected to significantly expand Philippine market access in the Gulf region.

Meanwhile, the defense cooperation MOU aims to establish a framework for collaboration in defense technologies and capabilities between Manila and Abu Dhabi.

The President, in his departure statement on Monday, said the outcomes of the visit are expected to benefit not only Filipinos in the Philippines but also the estimated 900,000 Filipinos residing in the UAE.

Aside from multilateral engagements, the President is scheduled to hold business meetings and meet with members of the Filipino community during his stay. (PNA)