By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. kicks off 2026 with a state visit to the United Arab Emirates, upon the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, to champion key initiatives and strengthen the bilateral ties between both countries.
At the conclusion of the Malacañang press briefing on Thursday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro hinted at the President’s upcoming attendance at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026, which would run from January 11-15.
Castro said in her remarks, “Makakasama ng Pangulo ang iba pang heads of state and government ng iba’t ibang bansa sa pagtalakay ng mga isyu patungkol sa enerhiya, tubig, usaping pinansiyal, pagkain, at kalikasan.”
ADSW is an annual forum that takes place every January, where world leaders, investors, and innovators gather to discuss the pressing issues concerning climate change, global warming, climate resilience, and shine a spotlight on solutions to mitigate environmental damage.
This year’s event, with the theme ”The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” will revolve around harnessing modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) in bringing about meaningful change that will hopefully keep humanity on top of matters concerning food supply chains, water resources, and other important facets of modern living.
The Palace mouthpiece moreover, hinted at President Marcos Jr.’s signing of two important documents during his visit to the Middle Eastern nation.
Chief among them is the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which Castro touted as the first free-trade agreement that promises to further expand the Philippines’ market access to Arab countries.
This is supplemented by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation, which aims to strengthen the defense ties of the Philippines and the UAE in aspects such as technologies, knowledge-sharing, and capacity building.
Altogether, the President’s first overseas trip this year is expected to bring significant gains that would resonate with the Filipinos.
jpv
