Biden, 73, arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday night after stops in Italy and Sicily, where she visited her ancestral hometown.
The UAE, a close U.S. ally in the Gulf, hosts thousands of American troops and is a major customer of U.S. military and aviation exports. Biden's visit underscored bilateral ties but steered clear of political topics.
At Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Biden and her daughter, Ashley, discussed cancer treatment advancements with doctors. She shared her personal experience of losing her stepson Beau Biden to brain cancer.
Later, Biden toured Qasr Al Hosn, a historic fort amid Abu Dhabi's modern skyline, leaving a message of hope in the guestbook.
In her keynote at the Milken Institute's Middle East and Africa Summit, Biden advocated for greater investment in women's health research, emphasizing its economic and global importance.
The first lady's trip comes as President Joe Biden faces scrutiny over a recent pardon of their son, Hunter Biden. Jill Biden briefly addressed their joint tenure in office, saying they would "leave together."
Biden departed for Qatar Thursday night and is scheduled to join dignitaries in Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral before returning to Washington.
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