President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. left Manila on Monday for a working visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), his first overseas trip this year, upon the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

From Jan. 12 to 14, Marcos will attend Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a global forum where heads of state and government discuss key issues such as energy transition, water security, sustainable finance, food systems, and environmental protection.

During the visit, the President is also set to hold business meetings and meet with members of the Filipino community in Abu Dhabi.

He is expected to witness the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which will be the Philippines’ first free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country. The agreement aims to expand Philippine market access and deepen economic ties between Manila and Abu Dhabi.

A defense cooperation agreement is also expected to be signed, aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Philippines and the UAE in developing defense technologies and capabilities.

“The signing of these two agreements is a testament to the deep bilateral ties between our two countries, and more importantly, between Filipinos and Emiratis,” Marcos said, as quoted in a Palace news release announcing his departure.

The President noted that about 900,000 Filipinos live in the UAE—roughly the population of a mid-sized Philippine province—making mutually beneficial arrangements important for Filipinos both at home and abroad.

“As we start the new year, the Philippines will further pursue its goal to forge collaborations with new partners who share our vision of a sustainable world, and will endeavor to further enrich our relationships with other important partners,” he said.

“I am confident that upon my return, I will bring good news on the new heights of our friendship and collaboration with the UAE, as well as on the shared vision and strategy with our global partners on sustainability, for the benefit of the Filipino people,” he added.

To ensure continuity of government operations, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian have been designated as government caretakers during the President’s absence.