In a bid to further strengthen the longstanding strategic partnership between the UAE and France, the 17th session of the UAE-France Strategic Dialogue was held in Paris on Wednesday.
Co-chaired by Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, and Anne-Marie Descôtes, Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the strategic dialogue builds upon the long-standing strategic partnership between the UAE and France. For more than 50 years, the UAE and France have forged a strong relationship marked by friendship, mutual trust and landmark initiatives such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
The 2025 Strategic Dialogue facilitated cooperation between the UAE and France in six priority fields: economy, education, culture, space, nuclear energy and health. In each of these areas, the two sides reached a consensus on renewed and joint initiatives. The dialogue also reinforced a future-oriented strategic partnership with a growing emphasis on emerging areas of shared interest – most notably, artificial intelligence.
UAE, France partner on political consultations
This year’s Strategic Dialogue witnessed the signing of the Political Consultations Memorandum of Understanding, establishing a formal and recurring framework for high-level political dialogue between the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
The co-chairs welcomed the major Emirati investment announced during the Choose France Summit to further expand this strategic partnership in AI. The two sides also reviewed the ongoing implementation of the strategic bilateral investment partnerships signed in December 2021.
They also discussed various strategic projects in the fields of investments, transportation, technology and energy between UAE and French companies. Furthermore, both sides commended the announcement to launch negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and the European Union.
UAE to consider implementing French from primary school
In education, the UAE and France reaffirmed their shared commitment by the expansion and support of the French school network as well as the teaching of French as a third language in public schools. It was agreed that consideration for the possibility of implementation of the French language from primary school (cycle one) onwards could yield even greater outcomes, and the UAE Ministry of Education will study the feasibility of integrating French into the school curriculum.
They also reviewed the ongoing collaboration in higher education and expressed satisfaction with the development of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, with many key projects and growth in student enrollment. In addition, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi will be renewing the 10-year agreement in 2026.
UAE and France seek stronger space cooperation
In relation to their space cooperation, the UAE and France emphasized their intention to broaden cooperation in the field of exploration, particularly in human spaceflight. They also confirmed their commitment to fostering a space ecosystem between French and Emirati stakeholders.
More broadly, they committed to reinforcing their strategic partnership by exploring new initiatives such as establishing common infrastructures, joint projects and a French-Emirati Space Hub.
Exploring opportunities in advanced reactor technologies
In nuclear energy, the UAE and France reaffirmed their strong partnership in the field of peaceful nuclear energy. They welcome acknowledging the continued cooperation between the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company, the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation and leading French institutions, including Électricité de France, French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), Framatome, Andra and the French Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ASNR).
Both sides underscored their shared commitment to supporting the Tripling Nuclear Energy initiative and exploring future opportunities in advanced reactor technologies, small modular reactors (SMRs), nuclear fuel assurance, cybersecurity and sustainable hydrogen production.
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Strengthening bilateral healthcare cooperation
In the health sector, the UAE and France discussed a range of mutually significant topics aimed at strengthening bilateral healthcare cooperation. The discussions encompassed academic and hospital collaboration, the facilitation of international patient care, and joint engagements with international partners such as the OECD and Sanofi.
In addition, both sides explored opportunities in advanced fields, including AI training and genomics, reflecting a shared commitment to innovation and the advancement of healthcare systems in both nations.
In addition, the Strategic Dialogue included a productive discussion on regional and international files. Both parties expressed their continued commitment to peace, stability and security in line with international law and emphasised the need to find just and sustainable solutions to the crises in the region.
