President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday for a working visit focused on sustainability and economic cooperation, Malacañang said Thursday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos would attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a global platform that brings together world leaders to discuss solutions to pressing environmental and development challenges.

“Nakatakdang umalis patungong United Arab Emirates si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa darating na Lunes, ika-labindalawa ng Enero (President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is scheduled to leave for the United Arab Emirates on Monday, Jan. 12),” Castro said in a Palace briefing.

She said the visit is at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

During the Sustainability Week, Marcos will join other heads of state and government in discussions on global concerns, including energy transition, water security, finance, food systems, and environmental protection.

Aside from multilateral engagements, Marcos is also expected to witness the signing of two major agreements between the Philippines and the UAE.

“Una ay ang Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement o CEPA at ang Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation (First is the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or CEPA, and the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation),” Castro said.

The CEPA will be the Philippines’ first free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country, aimed at expanding the Philippine market’s access to the region.

Meanwhile, the defense cooperation agreement is expected to strengthen the collaboration between Manila and Abu Dhabi in developing defense technologies and capabilities.

Castro said the President’s trip, his first overseas travel this year, is expected to deliver tangible gains for Filipinos. (PNA)