MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos hopes to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in December to participate in the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP) and renew the Philippines’ ties with the Middle Eastern country, where more than 600,000 Filipinos work.
In an interview on the sidelines of the International Trade Forum in Taguig yesterday, Marcos said the conference was one of the topics discussed during his meeting with UAE Ambassador Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi last Tuesday.
“The ambassador came to see me beforehand, the day before and we were talking about precisely COP 28… I hope to be able to attend because climate change is a primordial issue when it comes to the Philippines. So I hope that we will be able to attend,” Marcos told reporters. This year’s COP will be held at the Expo City in Dubai.
“And beyond the Conference of Parties is that we also want to renew our ties with the UAE. There are many Filipinos there. We need to ensure that they are continuously treating our countrymen well. And they have been very welcoming. They have treated our people very well,” the President said.
Marcos said Filipino workers in the UAE are well protected and reasonably compensated.
“So that’s something that we hope to continue and even progress further,” he added.
Marcos has had 12 official foreign trips since assuming office last year, the latest being the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Indonesia last May.
The UAE ambassador was with Marcos during the latter’s visit to families evacuated from danger zones around the restive Mayon Volcano in Albay.
“That’s why I brought him (Alzaabi) there so he could see where his country’s aid went,” the Chief Executive said in Filipino. The UAE government has donated some 50 tons of food items to Albay province.
Marcos was wearing a COP 28 green baller given to him by the envoy when he faced members of the media.
During his courtesy call on Marcos last Tuesday, Alzaabi reaffirmed his country’s support for the Philippines’ economic and environmental programs, according to a statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
The ambassador also told the President of the intention of many UAE companies to set up businesses in the Philippines, the PCO statement added.
The UAE ambassador also talked about a government information exchange program being implemented in more than 40 countries, including Egypt, Spain and Jordan. Marcos has directed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to draft a memorandum of understanding on the program.