15th UAE-France Strategic Dialogue discusses growing UAE-France cooperation
PARIS: The 15th session of the UAE-France Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired by Anne-Marie Descotes, Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Khaldoun Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, was held in Paris on Monday, 19th June, 2023.
Building on the exceptional bilateral relations between the two countries, and following the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, Strategic Dialogue co-chairs re-affirmed their commitment to further boost cooperation in priority fields and sectors.
UAE attendees at the Strategic Dialogue included Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State; and Sara Awadh Issa Musallam, Minister of State for Early Education. The delegations also included ambassadors of both countries, as well as chairpersons, under-secretaries, and director generals from key entities representing priority sectors in both countries.
Both parties welcomed the 11th May 2023 working visit and meeting between the two Presidents in Paris, less than a year after the state visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to France. The two sides also look forward to the upcoming visit by President Macron to the UAE on the occasion of COP28.
The two sides reviewed the ongoing implementation of the strategic bilateral investment partnerships, signed in December 2021. They commended the growing cooperation between Etihad Rail and corresponding French firms. Both sides also applauded the successful inaugural meeting of the UAE-France High-Level Business Council, jointly chaired by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies.
The January 2023 meeting in Abu Dhabi marked another significant milestone in economic cooperation between the UAE and France. The involvement of Bruno le Maire, Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, in the High-Level Business Council underlined France’s commitment to deepening its economic partnership with the UAE, recognising the strategic importance of the region and the UAE’s role as a key economic hub in the Middle East.
In the energy sector, the UAE and France continue their engagement under the Comprehensive Strategic Energy Partnership (CSEP), which aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the energy sector on the principles of equality and mutual benefits, across the public and private sectors of both countries. Both countries are deepening discussions on a partnership on the financing of the energy transition to be announced at COP28.
The French side reiterated its support for the COP28 Presidency whilst conveying wishes for its success. Both sides underlined the urgent need for the international community to drastically step up efforts in order to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and keep the +1.5°C increase in global temperatures within reach, notably by increasing ambition and enhancing nationally-determined contributions to be in line with this objective, by reducing energy emissions and consumption and accelerating the transition towards clean energy systems, while ensuring energy accessibility, affordability, and security.
Both sides also emphasised the need for equal progress to be made on increasing climate finance, support for adaptation and addressing loss and damage, stressing the need for all Parties to deliver on the mandated outcomes of COP28. The two sides also agreed to emphasise the role of peaceful nuclear energy as backbone of low-carbon electricity generation. The two parties stressed the need to reform international financial institutions and better mobilise more resources for the climate transition in developing countries while addressing inequalities. The Summit for a New Global Financial Pact to be held in Paris on 22nd-23rd June will be an important milestone in this regard.
Both sides also welcomed the close cooperation between and contributions of their respective financial organisations, including Paris Europlace and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), to contribute successfully to the upcoming COP28.