Photo credit: PCO

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had a meaningful conversation with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on October 14, 2024. It was a call filled with gratitude and hope as President Marcos took the opportunity to express his sincere thanks for the UAE's generous support during tough times.

In particular, Marcos acknowledged the aid provided by the UAE during recent natural disasters in the Philippines, which brought relief to countless Filipinos in need. But the show of support didn’t stop there—he also expressed deep appreciation for the UAE's decision to pardon 143 Filipinos. This thoughtful gesture has made a real difference for many families, allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief.

The two leaders didn’t just stop at expressing thanks and goodwill, though. They took the opportunity to reaffirm the strong bonds between the Filipino and Emirati communities—bonds that have grown deeper through years of friendship and collaboration. They also explored exciting possibilities for boosting bilateral ties even further, discussing ways to expand cooperation in various areas in the near future.