MANILA, Philippines—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday returned from his working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), bringing new trade and defense agreements with the Middle Eastern country. In his arrival statement, Marcos said he participated in discussions on a “future-ready world’ with other heads of state and government in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week that staged the biggest gathering of world leaders to discuss global sustainability challenges. “I had productive dialogues focusing on the important sectors of energy, water, finance, food, and the environment—matters which affect every Filipino, both here and abroad,” Marcos said. “I assured them that the Philippines is committed to finding solutions and to implementing the policies needed for a sustainable future for the people,” he added. Marcos congratulated Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the people of the UAE for hosting an important forum addressing issues of great consequence to the whole world. "I have taken note of the views and efforts of my fellow government leaders in tackling the complex issues relevant to the world’s future," he said. The President reported the signing of the Philippines–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation. "These new agreements were forged based on the strength of our bilateral relations with the UAE, founded on the strong people-to-people ties which our countrymen have built over decades of friendship with the people of the UAE," he said. The President said the CEPA marked the Philippines’ first free trade agreement (FTA) with a country in the Middle East, which he said would expand Philippine market access in the Gulf region and diversify sources and markets of essential goods. “A significant feature of this FTA is the further liberalization of trade in services in the UAE, including professional services, health, construction, and IT, among others,” Marcos said. The President also underscored the strategic importance of the MOU on Defense Cooperation, saying it would support the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “The MOU on Defense Cooperation will serve as a strong platform for collaboration with the UAE on advanced defense technologies, particularly in unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare, and naval systems, which are crucial for modernizing and enhancing the capabilities of our Armed Forces,” he said. "This agreement shall further strengthen our defense and military relations, through education and training, intelligence and security sharing, and cooperation in the fields of anti-terrorism, maritime security, and peacekeeping operations," he added.