Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, French President attend UAE-France Business Dialogue

ABU DHABI: His HIghness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, have attended the UAE-France Business Dialogue at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. The event formed part of joint efforts to strengthen the UAE-France economic and investment partnership and explore new opportunities for cooperation in priority strategic sectors, particularly energy, artificial intelligence and advanced technology. In the opening remarks, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed the French President and the accompanying delegation. H.H. Sheikh Khaled noted that the friendship between the UAE and France spans more than five decades, built on firm foundations of trust, mutual respect and a shared vision of progress and prosperity. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed affirmed that the strategic partnership between the two countries has evolved to keep pace with global developments. He noted that changes in the global economy underscore the growing strategic importance of bilateral cooperation in ensuring secure, reliable and sustainable energy supplies, and building resilient supply chains capable of addressing challenges, alongside deepening cooperation in artificial intelligence and advanced technology. It also builds on the Campus AI initiative that the two countries are developing in France. Sheikh Khaled highlighted that the UAE-France Business Dialogue provides an opportunity to translate shared priorities into strategic investments and major projects in sectors that will shape the economies of tomorrow. The event affirms the UAE’s commitment to further advancing its partnership with France and translating shared interests and visions into tangible outcomes that benefit both countries and their peoples. The dialogue provides a high-level platform to exchange perspectives on the future of vital sectors, review progress in partnerships and joint projects between Emirati and French companies, and explore ways to broaden cooperation, supporting both countries’ economic interests and strengthening their ability to keep pace with rapid changes in the global economy. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the French President attended two panel discussions. Titled "The Power of Resilience: Shaping the Future of Energy and Beyond", the first discussion examined key transformations in the energy sector and the importance of strengthening resilience, fostering innovation and developing sustainable solutions to keep pace with global changes and ensure secure and sustainable supplies. The second discussion, titled "Beyond Compute: AI Shaping the Future", focused on the growing role of artificial intelligence in reshaping economic and industrial sectors, the opportunities advanced technologies offer to develop new models for growth and innovation, and ways to strengthen cooperation between Emirati and French institutions and companies. The two sessions brought together ministers and business leaders from both countries to exchange perspectives and expertise on future priorities and explore opportunities for cooperation and joint investment, helping translate shared ambitions into partnerships and projects with tangible economic impact. The dialogue highlighted the depth of the investment and strategic partnerships between the UAE and France, particularly in conventional and advanced energy, clean energy and artificial intelligence. Leading UAE companies, including ADNOC, Masdar, MGX and G42, play a central role in developing and expanding these partnerships. The dialogue also highlighted bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, encompassing liquefied natural gas, energy infrastructure development, low-emission solutions and renewable energy projects. This reflects the two countries’ shared expertise and investment and technological capabilities, as well as their commitment to strengthening energy security and supporting the transition towards more efficient and sustainable systems. The dialogue also addressed bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence, highlighting the Campus AI initiative, which brings together MGX with French and international partners to develop advanced computing and AI infrastructure in France, alongside G42’s investments in advanced computing infrastructure. These initiatives reflect a shared commitment to harnessing strategic investments and technological expertise to accelerate innovation, strengthen capabilities in future-focused sectors and reinforce both countries’ standing within a global economy driven by knowledge and technology. Sheikh Khaled and Emmanuel Macron also witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding and contracts between Emirati and French institutions and companies, covering energy, artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technology. In AI and advanced technology, three MoUs were signed with AMI Labs to strengthen research and technological cooperation and explore new applications ac