President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Abu Dhabi on Sunday during an official working visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and exploring future cooperation. The meeting took place at the Zayed National Museum, where the leaders exchanged New Year greetings and reviewed the longstanding relationship between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and France, according to the state news agency Wam.
Discussions during the meeting focused on enhancing collaboration across various sectors, including economic development, investment, culture, renewable energy, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. Following their talks, Sheikh Mohamed hosted a lunch in honor of the French President, underscoring the friendly relations between the two nations.
Attendees at the meeting included Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chief of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, along with several ministers and senior officials from both countries.
Macron arrived in Abu Dhabi earlier on Sunday, where he was received at the Presidential Airport by Sheikh Khaled and senior officials. Later, Sheikh Khaled accompanied Macron on a tour of the Zayed National Museum, which features a gallery dedicated to the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This gallery showcases Sheikh Zayed’s leadership, principles, and values through a collection of archival material, personal belongings, and recorded speeches. The museum itself houses more than 3,000 artifacts, with nearly half currently displayed across six permanent galleries.
This meeting builds upon prior discussions held in Paris in February, where Sheikh Mohamed and Macron delved into cooperation in artificial intelligence and endorsed a bilateral framework for the responsible use of the technology. The countries continue to collaborate on energy and climate initiatives under existing partnership agreements, emphasizing their commitment to sustainability and technological advancement.
As the global landscape continues to evolve, the UAE and France are poised to play significant roles in addressing pressing challenges such as climate change and technological innovation. Their ongoing partnership not only reflects a commitment to mutual interest but also highlights a broader ambition to lead in sustainable development and advanced technologies. Both nations appear determined to forge a path that prioritizes collaboration in key sectors, setting a strong example for international cooperation in an era marked by rapid change.
