The Philippines is aiming to strengthen its cooperation with the UAE in various emerging areas, particularly innovation and technology, as the two nations approach the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver, the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, expressed the desire to maximize the potential in their relationship during this significant milestone. The UAE’s advancements in space exploration, including the successful Mars probe mission and sending the first Arab astronaut into space, have sparked interest from the Philippines, which is also developing its own nanosatellite technology. As a result, the two countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Space Cooperation between their respective space agencies.
Furthermore, discussions are underway for an MoU on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI). Both countries are exploring opportunities for collaboration in sustainable development initiatives, particularly in renewable energy and climate change cooperation. The UAE’s declaration of 2023 as the Year of Sustainability aligns with the Philippines’ goal to propose an MoU on Climate Change Cooperation and establish a Philippines-UAE Framework Agreement on Renewable Energy.
Enhancing trade and investment is also a priority, with the signing of an agreement in the previous year to promote and protect mutual investments. Both nations are now looking to sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to unlock the untapped trade and investment potential between them.
The bilateral trade between the UAE and the Philippines saw a significant increase of 49.9% in 2022, reaching a value of $1.52 billion. The Philippines exports electronic products, processed food and beverages, machinery, chemicals, and more to the UAE, while the UAE serves as a key source of petroleum and oil products for the Philippines.
The strong people-to-people relations between the two countries, fueled by over a million Filipinos residing and working in the UAE, remain foundational to the bilateral cooperation. Mechanisms such as the Joint Committee on Bilateral Labour Cooperation and Joint Committee on Consular Matters enable collaboration in protecting the welfare of Filipino expatriates and Emirati nationals.
The Philippine Embassy recently celebrated the 125th Philippine National Day, marking the ambassador’s first opportunity to partake in the festivities. The ambassador commended the visionary leadership of late Sheikh Zayed and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for their commitment to tolerance, inclusion, innovation, technology, sustainability, and natural resource preservation.
