the uae and france partnerships

 

The UAE and France hold their 18th strategic dialogue in Abu Dhabi, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening partnerships in the economy, energy, and artificial intelligence.

The 18th UAE-France Strategic Dialogue meeting was held in Abu Dhabi on May 6, 2026, within the framework of the close strategic partnership between the two countries. During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in areas that serve mutual interests and enhance future partnership across various vital sectors.

Joint chairmanship and high-level participation

The UAE delegation was headed by His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, while the French delegation was headed by His Excellency Martin Briand, Secretary General of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Several senior officials from both sides participated in the meetings, including His Excellency Dr. Anwar Gargash, Her Excellency Lana Nusseibeh, and the ambassadors of both countries, underscoring the depth of diplomatic relations between Abu Dhabi and Paris.

Shared positions on regional and international issues

The two sides discussed current regional developments, condemning the attacks targeting the UAE and other countries in the region, affirming that these attacks constitute a violation of international law. They also stressed the importance of protecting freedom of navigation in international waterways and rejected any attempts to threaten energy security or global trade. Both sides reiterated their support for comprehensive political solutions to a number of regional and international crises, including the Palestinian issue and the situations in Sudan, Ukraine, and Lebanon.

Growing economic cooperation in strategic sectors

During the dialogue, both sides affirmed the strength of economic cooperation between the UAE and France, focusing on trade, investment, aviation, energy, and artificial intelligence. They highlighted prominent partnerships between institutions such as Mubadala and Bpifrance, as well as collaboration on AI, renewable energy, and nuclear infrastructure projects. The importance of developing the aviation sector and enhancing strategic projects like Al Maktoum International Airport was also emphasized.

Cultural cooperation that promotes cultural exchange

Both sides praised the success of the Louvre Abu Dhabi and its role in promoting cultural dialogue between the two countries, reviewing recent art exhibitions and plans to celebrate the museum's 10th anniversary in 2027. They also discussed enhancing cooperation in film, publishing, arts and creative industries, with a focus on supporting talent and building sustainable cultural ecosystems.

Advanced partnership in energy, space and technology

The dialogue witnessed progress in the fields of nuclear energy, space, and advanced technologies. In the nuclear energy sector, the focus was on localization, fuel and waste management, and technological development. In the space sector, cooperation in space exploration, satellite technologies, and space communications was discussed. Both sides also emphasized the importance of strengthening scientific research and developing joint programs between specialized institutions.

Advanced health and educational cooperation

In the health sector, both sides agreed to expand cooperation in medical research, biotechnology, and digital health, as well as to strengthen the UAE-France medical residency program. In education, they commended the expansion of French language instruction in Emirati schools, the growth of French schools in the UAE, and the ongoing collaboration in higher education and scientific research between universities and academic institutions in both countries.

The conclusion affirms the continuation of the strategic partnership.

The 18th Strategic Dialogue concluded with an affirmation of the UAE and France’s commitment to further strengthening their strategic partnership and developing cooperation across various sectors, in order to achieve tangible results and support development and innovation pathways between the two countries