President Marcos Jr. to strengthen ties with UAE Filipinos in upcoming November visit
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by Balikbayan Store
1 min reading time
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to visit the Filipino expatriate community in the United Arab Emirates this November, marking the first time a sitting Philippine president will meet with his kababayans in the UAE since 2008. This announcement was made by his wife, Marie Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos, during a meeting with leaders of the Filipino expat community at a hotel in Downtown Dubai on Saturday.
Araneta-Marcos’s visit to Dubai follows the recent work visit by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Manila. Earlier this month, Sheikh Abdullah met with President Marcos at Malacañang Palace to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and exploring avenues for cooperation. Araneta-Marcos was also present at this meeting in Manila.
The upcoming visit coincides with the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic and bilateral relations between the Philippines and the UAE, established on August 19, 1974. This milestone adds a significant context to President Marcos’s visit, emphasizing the enduring partnership between the two nations.
Filipino expats in the UAE are eagerly anticipating President Marcos’s visit, especially since the last visit by a Philippine president was in December 2008 by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “We are thrilled and honored to welcome President Marcos Jr. to the UAE,” said a Filipino community leader. “It’s a momentous occasion for us.”
Last November, President Marcos had planned to attend COP28 in Dubai and meet with the Filipino community at the Dubai World Trade Centre. However, he canceled his trip at the last minute due to urgent developments concerning 17 Filipino seafarers held hostage in the Red Sea. His visit this year is seen as a significant opportunity to reconnect with the overseas Filipino community and address their concerns.
