PBBM invites UAE president to visit PH
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has invited United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit the Philippines.
The President extended the invitation during a phone call with the Emirati leader on Friday, June 23, and after the UAE government [pardoned](https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/23/two-filipinos-on-death-row-in-uae-pardoned) three Filipinos, two of whom were on death row.
*File photos/PCO (Facebook)/UAE in Manila (Twitter)*
In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the President told Sheikh Mohamed that he was "always welcome to come to the country." During their phone call, Marcos expressed gratitude for the grant of the request for pardon that he made two months ago. In two separate letters last April 27, President Marcos requested Sheikh Mohamed to grant a humanitarian pardon to two Filipinos sentenced to death for drug trafficking and another who was handed down a 15-year sentence for slander. The President's invitation came after the UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Al-Zaabi [invited](https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/14/uae-invites-marcos-to-cop-28-in-dubai-renews-commitment-to-ph-environment) Marcos to Dubai for the December 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). According to the PCO, Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the invitation during his phone conversation with President Marcos. Earlier this month, Marcos said [he wanted to attend the COP28](https://mb.com.ph/1970/1/1/marcos-hopes-to-attend-cop-28-in-dubai) because climate change is a vital issue for the Philippines. "The ambassador came to see me beforehand, the day before, and we were talking about precisely COP28. I hope to be able to attend because climate change is a primordial issue when it comes to the Philippines," he said. "Beyond the Conference of Parties is that we also want to renew our ties with the UAE," he added. In addition, the President said he also wanted to personally thank the government of UAE for being a gracious host to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). COP28 aims to "bring the world together" at a critical moment for global transformative climate action. This year, COP28 will prioritize efforts to accelerate emissions reductions through a pragmatic energy transition, reform land use, and transform food systems.
*File photos/PCO (Facebook)/UAE in Manila (Twitter)*
In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the President told Sheikh Mohamed that he was "always welcome to come to the country." During their phone call, Marcos expressed gratitude for the grant of the request for pardon that he made two months ago. In two separate letters last April 27, President Marcos requested Sheikh Mohamed to grant a humanitarian pardon to two Filipinos sentenced to death for drug trafficking and another who was handed down a 15-year sentence for slander. The President's invitation came after the UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Al-Zaabi [invited](https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/14/uae-invites-marcos-to-cop-28-in-dubai-renews-commitment-to-ph-environment) Marcos to Dubai for the December 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). According to the PCO, Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the invitation during his phone conversation with President Marcos. Earlier this month, Marcos said [he wanted to attend the COP28](https://mb.com.ph/1970/1/1/marcos-hopes-to-attend-cop-28-in-dubai) because climate change is a vital issue for the Philippines. "The ambassador came to see me beforehand, the day before, and we were talking about precisely COP28. I hope to be able to attend because climate change is a primordial issue when it comes to the Philippines," he said. "Beyond the Conference of Parties is that we also want to renew our ties with the UAE," he added. In addition, the President said he also wanted to personally thank the government of UAE for being a gracious host to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). COP28 aims to "bring the world together" at a critical moment for global transformative climate action. This year, COP28 will prioritize efforts to accelerate emissions reductions through a pragmatic energy transition, reform land use, and transform food systems.