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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos to visit UAE; sign free trade, defense deals

Marcos to visit UAE; sign free trade, defense deals

Published Jan 8, 2026 12:58 pm  |  Updated Jan 8, 2026 01:01 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (MANILA BULLETIN/Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (MANILA BULLETIN/Mark Balmores)
President Marcos is set to undertake a working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next week where he is expected to sign a free trade agreement and defense deal.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro disclosed on Thursday, Jan. 8, that Marcos will visit Abu Dhabi on Monday, Jan. 12, to participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
"Nakatakdang umalis patungong United Arab Emirates si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. sa darating na Lunes, ika-12 ng Enero. Ang working visit ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ay para sa Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week kung saan tatalakayin ang mga hakbang upang isulong ang global sustainability (President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to depart for the United Arab Emirates on Monday, January 12. President Marcos Jr.’s working visit is for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where measures to advance global sustainability will be discussed)," Castro said in a Palace briefing.
Marcos' visit, according to Castro, is upon the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Aside from his participation in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Marcos is expected to sign two deals with UAE— Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation.
According to Castro, CEPA is the Philippines’ first free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country. It is aimed at expanding the nation’s market access in the Middle East.
The Defense Cooperation Memorandum, on the other hand, will serve as a solid foundation for cooperation with the UAE to further develop the country’s defense technologies, Castro added.
During his working visit, the President will join other heads of state and government from various countries in discussing issues related to energy, water, financial matters, food, and the environment.
Castro also said that Marcos' visit to Abu Dhabi will be meaningful and beneficial to Filipinos.
"Buo ang paniniwala ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na magiging makabuluhan at kapakipakinabang para sa sambayanang Pilipino ang kanyang papalapit na pagbisita sa Abu Dhabi (President Marcos Jr. firmly believes that his upcoming visit to Abu Dhabi will be meaningful and beneficial to the Filipino people)," Castro said.

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