ABU DHABI, UAE / AsiaWire.IO / – On October 19 in Abu Dhabi, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron held discussions centered on enhancing the strategic relationship between their nations during Macron’s official visit to the UAE. The conversations concentrated on collaboration across sectors such as the economy, investment, energy, cutting-edge technology, and artificial intelligence, emphasizing their importance in shared development and prosperity goals.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed and Macron reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening UAE-France cooperation in critical fields. They reviewed progress on joint initiatives, particularly in energy, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence. Following the discussions, the UAE President hosted a banquet in honour of Macron. The French leader signed the VIP guestbook, expressing pride in the ongoing growth of UAE-France relations and wishing further expansion of their ties.
The dialogue also touched on regional and global concerns, with a focus on developments in the Middle East. Both parties discussed ongoing efforts to mitigate the effects of these developments on maritime security and worldwide energy supplies. They highlighted their mutual resolve to enhance coordination to promote regional security, stability, and peace. Recently, attacks on energy infrastructure across the Gulf have reduced oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
Gulf tour emphasizes Hormuz and energy safety
From October 19 to 21, Macron’s Gulf tour includes stops in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Abu Dhabi is part of this itinerary. An Élysée source explained that the purpose of the visit is to foster stability and secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Discussions are expected to focus on safeguarding and diversifying energy supplies and their transit routes. In April, France and the United Kingdom proposed establishing an international maritime coalition to protect shipping in the strait.
Macron is accompanied by a delegation that features the CEOs of TotalEnergies and Engie. The trip also includes Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, and Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure. Additionally, the group includes the president of Campus AI, a significant technology complex under development near Paris funded by the UAE. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed and Macron also participated in the UAE-France Business Dialogue in Abu Dhabi.
High-level UAE officials join discussions and banquet
The official talks and banquet were attended by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Also present was 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, took part in the events. Earlier, Sheikh Mohamed received Macron with a formal ceremony, including an honour guard and military band.
This visit continues a series of high-level interactions 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, and participated in major events such as the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in 2023 and the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017. In July, Macron became the first significant Western leader to visit Syria after its civil war. His Gulf tour concludes in Qatar on October 21.