ABU DHABI, UAE / AsiaWire.IO / – Amidst ongoing regional and global challenges, the United Arab Emirates continues to reinforce its strategic partnerships. On October 19, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan engaged in discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron in Abu Dhabi, focusing on expanding their countries’ alliance. This meeting took place during Macron’s official visit to the UAE, with conversations covering areas such as the economy, investment, energy, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence. Both leaders emphasized their shared vision for development and prosperity for their populations.
The two heads of state reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to UAE-France cooperation in key sectors. They also examined the progress made on joint initiatives in energy, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence. After the discussions, Sheikh Mohamed hosted a banquet honoring his French guest. Macron signed the VIP guestbook and conveyed his pride in the consistent growth of bilateral relations, expressing hope for further expansion of the partnership in the future.
A significant part of the dialogue focused on regional and international issues. The leaders considered recent developments in the Middle East and the efforts underway to mitigate their effects on maritime security and global energy supplies. They underscored their mutual resolve to enhance coordination to promote security, stability, and peace across the region. Recent attacks on Gulf energy facilities have disrupted oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, putting additional pressure on world energy markets.
Energy transit routes and maritime safety are key topics
From October 19 to 21, Macron is conducting a Gulf tour that includes stops in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. An Élysée source explained that the visit aims to foster stability and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, France seeks to secure and diversify its energy supplies and transportation routes. In April, France and the United Kingdom jointly proposed an international maritime coalition to defend ships operating in the strait.
Leading French business and government representatives accompanied Macron on this trip. The delegation included chief executives from energy firms TotalEnergies and Engie, as well as the head of Campus AI, a major technology complex near Paris financed by the UAE. Ministers Catherine Vautrin, Jean-Noël Barrot, and Roland Lescure, responsible for defence, foreign affairs, and the economy respectively, also traveled with the president. The Abu Dhabi segment featured a UAE-France Business Dialogue.
Official reception highlights Abu Dhabi’s leadership presence
Sheikh Mohamed greeted Macron with a formal ceremony that included an honor guard and military band. Attending the event were His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, along with other senior officials such as Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs. Also present were Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President, and several ministers and officials.
These high-level exchanges build upon a history of diplomatic engagement between the two leaders. Macron’s last visit to Sheikh Mohamed occurred in Abu Dhabi in December 2025, during which they toured the Zayed National Museum. Macron 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. The Gulf tour concludes in Qatar on October 21.