President Marcos leaves for UAE today

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos will leave for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today as the Philippines and the Middle Eastern nation are set to enter into trade and defense cooperation agreements.

Marcos is going to the UAE, his second visit as Chief Executive, to participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

First Lady Liza Marcos and members of his Cabinet, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Finance Secretary Frederick Go, Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez will accompany the President during his visit.

Marcos will join other heads of state and government in discussing issues related to energy, water, financial matters, food and the environment.

PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro, at a recent Palace briefing, said the President’s visit is upon the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Slated from Jan. 11 to 15, the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week brings together leaders from government, business and society to chart the next era of sustainable development.

The President is expected to witness the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or CEPA and the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation between the Philippines and UAE.

According to Castro, CEPA is Manila’s first such agreement with a Middle East nation.

Meanwhile, the MOU on defense cooperation will serve as a solid foundation for cooperation with the UAE to develop the Philippines’ defense technologies, she said.

Marcos is scheduled to depart UAE on Tuesday night, according to Gomez.