ABU DHABI, UAE / AsiaWire.IO / – On October 19, in Abu Dhabi, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron. The main focus was on broadening their countries’ strategic alliance, set against the backdrop of Macron’s official visit to the UAE. The conversations covered topics such as the economy, investment, energy, cutting-edge technology, and artificial intelligence. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to a shared vision of development and prosperity for their citizens.
The two heads of state reaffirmed their ongoing support for UAE-France collaboration across key sectors and reviewed advancements in joint initiatives related to energy, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence. After the discussions, Sheikh Mohamed hosted a banquet in honor of Macron. During the visit, Macron signed the VIP guestbook and expressed his pride in the steady growth of their bilateral relations, wishing for further expansion of the partnership in the future.
Regional and global issues also featured prominently in their talks. The leaders examined recent developments in the Middle East and discussed efforts to mitigate their effects on maritime security and worldwide energy markets. They underscored their mutual resolve to enhance coordination in order to promote stability, security, and peace across the region. Attacks on Gulf energy facilities have disrupted oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, putting additional strain on world energy markets.
Energy security and maritime safety at the forefront of discussions
Macron’s Gulf itinerary extends from October 19 to 21, including stops in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. An Élysée source indicated that the trip aims to foster stability and ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The French delegation also seeks to secure and diversify energy supplies and transportation routes. In April, France and the United Kingdom jointly proposed establishing an international maritime coalition to protect ships navigating the strait.
Leading French business figures and government officials traveled with Macron, including the CEOs of TotalEnergies and Engie, as well as the head of Campus AI, a major technology complex under construction near Paris with funding from the UAE. Ministers Catherine Vautrin, Jean-Noël Barrot, and Roland Lescure, responsible for defence, foreign affairs, and the economy respectively, also accompanied him. The Abu Dhabi program featured a UAE-France Business Dialogue.
Official reception hosted by Abu Dhabi leadership
Sheikh Mohamed greeted Macron with a formal ceremony that included an honor guard and military band. His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, attended both the meeting and the banquet. The gathering was also joined by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs. Several ministers and officials, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President, were present as well.
These discussions continue a long history of high-level exchanges between the two leaders. Macron last met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi in December 2025, during visits to the Zayed National Museum. He also participated in COP28 in Dubai in 2023 and was present at the 2017 opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. In July, Macron became the first major Western leader to visit Syria after its civil war. His Gulf tour will conclude in Qatar on October 21.