Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. meets Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai. DUBAI MEDIA OFFICE

Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. returned to the Philippines on Wednesday (November 27), after a one-day working visit to the UAE. Marcos described his first official visit to the UAE as “short but highly productive,” emphasizing its significance in commemorating 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations. Speaking upon his arrival, Marcos said, “This visit reaffirms the very strong and friendly relationship that the Philippines and the UAE have built over the past five decades. We are progressing rapidly toward new spheres of engagement, and I am optimistic about the opportunities ahead.” Marcos’ visit to the UAE on Tuesday (November 26), featured high-level meetings with UAE leaders. His first stop was in Abu Dhabi, where he met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in emerging fields, including energy transition, digital economy, and artificial intelligence. “We exchanged views on how to further strengthen our ties and identified areas of shared interest,” Marcos said. The two leaders also signed several agreements, including a visa waiver for diplomatic, special, and official passport holders, legal cooperation frameworks, and cultural initiatives. Later in the day, Marcos traveled to Dubai, where he met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Discussions centered on investment cooperation and bolstering ties between the UAE and the Filipino community, which forms a significant expatriate population in the UAE. "The UAE has long been a valued partner of the Philippines, and I expressed my deep gratitude for their unwavering humanitarian support during natural calamities in our country,” Marcos said, referencing the UAE's aid to typhoon victims in the Philippines. Marcos explained that his visit had to be cut short due to urgent relief and reconstruction activities in typhoon-hit areas back home. Nevertheless, he conveyed optimism about the outcomes of his meetings and the signed agreements. “I have invited Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to visit the Philippines, where we can continue these important discussions and explore further collaboration,” Marcos revealed, adding that the agreements signed during the visit will be instrumental in driving innovation and economic growth for both nations. ICA/Expat Media
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