Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Alfonso A Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, received Nooh Al Hammadi, Director for East Asia and the Pacific Department of the UAE Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry (MOFAIC), on April 26, 2023, as per update by Philippine Embassy.
As per the update, both leaders had a fruitful discussion, and the main objective of the meeting was to discuss further expansion of Philippines-UAE cooperation. At said meeting, the two officials tackled the preparations being undertaken for the PH-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which would unlock the enormous trade and investment potential between both countries.
Further, both leaders focused on strengthening diplomatic relations between both nations. They also agreed to work towards the finalization of bilateral agreements on defence, culture, science and technology, and judicial agreements to ensure mutual gains in these areas.
Another topic discussed during the meeting was related to COP 28, which will be hosted by the government of the United Arab Emirates. “With UAE’s hosting of COP28, the two agreed on the need to embark on cooperation on renewable energy as well as on climate change action and on a possible high-level delegation from the Philippines,” the official update by the government read.
In addition to this, forthcoming meetings on bilateral labour cooperation, which would tackle measures to further ensure the protection of the rights of Filipino workers, as well as joint efforts in combatting human trafficking, were also discussed.
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Amb. Ver also expressed pleasure in hosting Dir Al and stated that the meeting was a success. He also mentioned that such meetings become the source of strength to the bilateral relations between the two countries.
A Ver was quoted saying, “My extensive discussion today with Dir. Al Hammadi gives me great assurance of the abiding commitment of our two sides to fully explore the breadth and depth of Philippines-UAE bilateral relations so that our cooperation is further expanded in all these areas so that the next generation of Filipinos and Emirates would have a bright and prosperous future ahead.”
