ABU DHABI, UAE / AsiaWire.IO / – During their meeting in Abu Dhabi on October 19, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron examined avenues for expanding their nations’ strategic collaboration. The discussions coincided with Macron’s official visit to the UAE. The two leaders emphasized cooperation across sectors including the economy, investment, energy, cutting-edge technology, and artificial intelligence, highlighting these areas as vital to mutual development and prosperity goals.
Sheikh Mohamed and Macron reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening UAE-France partnerships in critical fields. They reviewed progress on joint initiatives, particularly in energy, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence. Following the talks, the UAE President hosted a banquet in honor of Macron. The French leader signed the VIP guestbook, expressing pride in the ongoing growth of UAE-France relations, and conveyed hopes for further expansion of their ties.
The discussions also addressed regional and international concerns, focusing on recent developments in the Middle East. Both parties explored ongoing efforts to mitigate the effects of regional changes on maritime security and the stability of global energy supplies. They underscored their shared resolve to enhance coordination to promote security, stability, and peace across the region. Recently, attacks targeting energy infrastructure in the Gulf have restricted oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
Gulf tour emphasizes Hormuz and energy security concerns
From October 19 to 21, Macron is undertaking a Gulf tour that includes stops in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. This visit, according to an Élysée source, aims to foster stability and ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The agenda also includes discussions on securing and diversifying energy sources and their transportation routes. In April, France and the United Kingdom proposed establishing an international maritime coalition to safeguard shipping in this vital waterway.
Macron is accompanied by a delegation that features top executives from TotalEnergies and Engie. The group also includes Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, and Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure. Additionally, the president of Campus AI, a significant technological hub under construction near Paris funded by the UAE, is part of the delegation. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed and Macron also participated in the UAE-France Business Dialogue held in Abu Dhabi.
High-ranking UAE officials join both the talks and the banquet
The official meeting and subsequent banquet were attended by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, along with His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President, was also present alongside several ministers and officials. Earlier, Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Macron with an official ceremony featuring an honour guard and a military band.
This visit continues a series of high-level exchanges between the two leaders. Macron previously met Sheikh Mohamed at the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi in December 2025, addressed French troops stationed in the UAE, attended the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in 2023, and participated in the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017. Notably, in July, Macron became the first prominent Western leader to visit Syria following its civil war. The Gulf tour concludes in Qatar on October 21.