President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has arrived in Abu Dhabi for a one-day working visit, marking his first official trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since assuming office.
Accompanying the President is former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, who, according to Malacañang, has close ties with the UAE Royal Family. Joining the delegation are Cabinet members DENR Secretary Toni Loyzaga, who will discuss an agreement on preventing plastic waste leakage into oceans; NCCA Chair Vic Manalo, who will sign a cultural cooperation deal; and DFA Undersecretary Charles Jose, who will assist President Marcos during his meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
This visit follows several previous attempts by the President to visit the UAE. In November 2023, Marcos planned to attend the COP28 Climate Change Conference in Dubai but had to cancel due to a hostage crisis involving Filipino seafarers. In June 2024, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos announced that a November 2024 visit was in the works.
