The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are planning to craft a framework that will facilitate cooperation on government competitiveness, including on public financial management.

Engagements on these areas will be facilitated under the Philippine-UAE memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate on the improvement and development of government activities.

The MOU was signed Feb. 11 on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2025 in Dubai.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said the MOU aims to build an “institutional framework” that will increase cooperation on enhancing government performance, strengthening capacities, and performance measurement systems in governmental bodies and entities.

The deal will also cover possible partnership on public financial management and strategic planning and management, among others.

“The signing of this agreement on the sidelines of the WGS highlights not only the strengthening of the bilateral relations between the Philippines and the UAE but also the focus of the WGS gathering itself which is on shaping the future of governments to become better versions of themselves,” Philippine Ambassador to UAE Alfonso Ver said in a statement.

“We look forward to establishing this cooperation with the UAE and to learn from the best practices of each other’s governance mechanisms,” he added.

The agreement was signed by Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and UAE Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the UAE National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Abdullah Nasser Lootah.

On top of the deal, the two countries signed three key legal treaties covering extradition, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the transfer of sentenced persons.

Also sealed on the sidelines of WSG was an MOU between the Philippine government and non-profit organization Clean Rivers Abu Dhabi to restore the Pasig River to its pristine condition.

First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos served as the Philippines’ representative to the WSG, accompanied by Pangandaman and other Philippine officials.

The summit explores the agenda for the next generation of governments, focusing on harnessing innovation and technology to address humanity’s universal challenges. (PNA)