ABU DHABI, UAE / AsiaWire.IO / – On October 19, during Macron’s official visit to the UAE, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss expanding their countries’ strategic collaboration. The discussions centered on strengthening cooperation across economic, investment, energy, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence sectors, highlighting their shared vision for growth and prosperity.
In Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed and Macron reiterated their dedication to fostering UAE-France partnerships in key areas. They reviewed ongoing joint initiatives, including projects related to energy, cutting-edge technology, and artificial intelligence. Following the talks, the UAE President hosted a banquet in honor of Macron. The French leader signed the VIP guestbook, expressing pride in the continuous development of bilateral relations and wishing for further progress in their ties.
The leaders also addressed regional and global matters, with particular focus on the Middle East. They discussed ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of regional developments on maritime security and worldwide energy supplies. Both nations emphasized their common resolve to enhance coordination in order to promote regional security, stability, and peace. Recently, attacks on energy infrastructure across the Gulf have disrupted oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
Gulf tour centers on Hormuz and safeguarding energy flows
As part of a Gulf tour from October 19 to 21, Macron visits the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. The trip, according to an Élysée source, aims to promote stability and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Discussions are also expected to focus on securing and diversifying energy supplies and transportation routes. In April, France and the United Kingdom proposed establishing an international maritime coalition to defend shipping in the strait.
Macron is accompanied by a delegation that includes the CEOs of TotalEnergies and Engie. Also present are Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, and Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure. Additionally, the group includes the head of Campus AI, a major tech complex 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.
Senior UAE officials join discussions and banquet
The official meeting and subsequent banquet saw the attendance of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Also present were His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, along with Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President, and several ministers and officials. Earlier, Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Macron with an official ceremony, which included an honour guard and a military band.
This visit continues a series of high-level engagements 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, attended the COP28 climate conference in Dubai in 2023, and took part in the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017. 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.