President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday, January 12, to attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and witness the signing of trade and defense agreements between the Philippines and the UAE.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro highlighted that the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week serves as a global platform where world leaders come together to discuss critical issues related to energy, water, finance, food, and environmental sustainability.

“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," Castro said.

Castro noted that the visit comes at the personal invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In addition to attending the event, Marcos is expected to witness the signing of two significant agreements between the Philippines and the UAE, namely the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation, Castro said.

"Ang CEPA ang kauna-unang free trade agreement ng Pilipinas sa isang bansa mula sa Middle East na naglalayong palawakin ang market access ng ating bayan sa gitnang silangan," she explained.

"Samantala, ang Defense Cooperation Memorandum naman ay siyang magsisilbing matatag na pundasyong pakikipagtulungan sa UAE para paunlarin ang defense technologies ng ating bansa," Castro added.

This will be Marcos’ first foreign visit in 2026.

“Buo ang paniniwala ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na magiging makabuluhan at kapaki-pakinabang para sa sambayan ng Pilipino ang kanyang papalapit na pagbisita sa Abu Dhabi,” Castro said.