Marcos appoints Sen. Pimentel’s wife as special envoy to UAE

Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. swears in Kathryn Yu-Pimentel as the new Special Envoy to the United Arab Emirates on June 4, 2024.

MANILA, Philippines (Updated) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Kathryn Yu-Pimentel, the wife of Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, as the Special Envoy to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Yu took her oath in Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

“Pinangunahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang panunumpa sa panunungkulan ni Special Envoy to the United Arab Emirates Kathryn Pimentel ngayong araw, ika-4 ng Hunyo 2024,” said the PCO in a Facebook post.

(President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the oath-taking of Special Envoy to the United Arab Emirates Kathryn Pimentel today, June 4, 2024.)

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In a separate statement, Yu-Pimentel said that she will help strengthen investment ties with the UAE.

“I am profoundly honored by the trust and confidence President Marcos has placed in me,” said Yu-Pimentel.

“My mission is to help in the strengthening of our investment and trade relationship with the UAE,” she added.

According to a statement from Yu-Pimentel, she has been active in numerous economic forums that took place in the UAE, including the 2024 World Government Summit, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, the 2023 Dubai Airshow and Dubai Watch Week, and more.

“With the upcoming 50th anniversary of our diplomatic ties this year, I hope to be able to contribute to the further strengthening of our relationship with the UAE as the President’s special envoy,” Uy-Pimentel said.

On the same day, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid a courtesy call on Marcos.

Marcos was then able to introduce Yu-Pimentel to the Foreign Affairs minister.

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