ABU DHABI, UAE / AsiaWire.IO / – UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan engaged in talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Abu Dhabi on October 19. The discussions aimed at deepening the strategic alliance between their nations. This meeting took place amid Macron’s official visit to the UAE. The conversation focused on topics such as the economy, investment opportunities, energy security, cutting-edge technology, and artificial intelligence. Both leaders connected these efforts to a common vision of development and prosperity for their peoples.
The two presidents reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to UAE-France cooperation in key sectors. They also assessed the progress of joint projects in energy, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence. After the discussions, Sheikh Mohamed hosted a banquet in honor of Macron. The French leader signed the VIP guestbook and expressed his pride in the steady growth of their bilateral relations. He also wished for the partnership to expand further in the coming years.
A significant part of the dialogue addressed regional and international issues. The leaders examined recent developments in the Middle East and discussed efforts to mitigate their impact on maritime security and global energy supplies. They emphasized their shared goal of enhancing coordination to promote stability, security, and peace across the region. Attacks targeting Gulf energy facilities have restricted oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, increasing pressure on world energy markets.
Focus on Energy Security and Maritime Safety During Macron’s Gulf Tour
Macron’s Gulf visit spans from October 19 to 21, covering the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. An Élysée source indicated that the trip aims to foster stability and restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. France also seeks to secure and diversify energy supplies as well as transportation routes. In April, France and the United Kingdom jointly proposed establishing an international maritime coalition to protect ships in the strait.
The president was accompanied by senior French officials and business leaders. The delegation included the CEOs of energy giants TotalEnergies and Engie, along with the head of Campus AI, a major technology hub under construction near Paris with UAE funding. Ministers Catherine Vautrin, Jean-Noël Barrot, and Roland Lescure, responsible for defence, foreign affairs, and the economy, also traveled with Macron. The Abu Dhabi agenda featured a UAE-France Business Dialogue.
Official Reception and High-Level Attendance in Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Mohamed greeted Macron with an official ceremony, complete with an honor guard and a military band. His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, was present at the meeting and banquet. Also attending were 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, along with several ministers and officials, joined the event.
These talks continue a long history of high-level exchanges between the two leaders. Macron previously met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi in December 2025, during a visit to the Zayed National Museum. He also participated in COP28 in Dubai in 2023 and attended 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 concludes in Qatar on October 21.