President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government delegation in Manila during the Government Experience Exchange Forum, highlighting the Philippines’ growing partnership with the Gulf state in strengthening governance and innovation.
“It is my pleasure to welcome Abdulla Nasser Lootah and the UAE delegation at the conclusion of the Government Experience Exchange Forum. We appreciate the UAE’s consistent support of Filipino workers, and for being a true partner in building smarter, future-ready governments. Through sharing experiences and cooperation, we can drive real change for our people,” Marcos said.
The delegation was led by Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange, and joined by UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem and officials from the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs.
UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi emphasized the significance of knowledge exchange in strengthening international ties. “The UAE and the Philippines enjoy strong historical ties based on cooperation and partnerships across multiple sectors. The Government Experience Exchange initiatives add significant value to this partnership and represent a key driver for advancing bilateral relations, bringing mutual benefits to both nations,” he said.
First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos also lauded the collaboration, particularly in government modernisation and leadership development. She noted that the initiatives empower youth and women while strengthening human resources and social wellbeing in the Philippines.
Lootah described the forum as an opportunity to deepen cooperation in governance. “The Forum provides an opportunity to enrich practices, explore modernisation models, and exchange innovative ideas and solutions that advance government work and contribute to shaping a prosperous future for society,” he said.
The forum, jointly organized by the Philippine and UAE governments, focused on several strategic pillars: strategy and innovation, government performance and excellence, competitiveness and statistics, government services, artificial intelligence, and future foresight. Senior Philippine officials including Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, ICT Secretary Henry Aguda, NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon, and PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo were also present.
Interactive sessions showcased best practices, digital transformation models, and policy innovations aimed at accelerating the Philippines’ national development priorities while reinforcing UAE–Philippines cooperation in governance.
