UAE and France sign energy and AI deals at Abu Dhabi business dialogue

Emirati and French companies have signed a series of agreements covering energy, artificial intelligence and advanced technology at the UAE-France Business Dialogue in Abu Dhabi.

His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and French President Emmanuel Macron attended the event at Qasr Al Watan and witnessed the signings.

They also witnessed the exchange of a Strategic Defence Partnership Framework between the two countries, along with an agreement on the defence industry. These were exchanged by Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, and Dr Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, with France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin and Delegate-General for Armaments Patrick Pailloux.

Three of the agreements were signed between French AMI Labs and three from UAE - Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), G42 and Analog. This covers AI research, cloud computing and the use of AI in robotics. 

In energy, ADNOC Gas and Schneider Electric signed an agreement to look at new technologies to improve how energy systems run.

ADNOC Refining and Technip Energies also signed two contracts, one to expand refining capacity and one for a sustainable aviation fuel project.

خالد بن محمد بن زايد، ولي عهد أبوظبي، والرئيس الفرنسي إيمانويل ماكرون يشهدان حوار الأعمال الإماراتي-الفرنسي، حيث جرى بحضورهما توقيع مذكرات تفاهم وعقود بين جهات وشركات من البلدين في مجالات الطاقة والذكاء الاصطناعي والتكنولوجيا المتقدمة. pic.twitter.com/5l2o61YwBR

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) October 20, 2026

In his opening remarks, Sheikh Khaled said the friendship between the UAE and France spans more than five decades, built on trust, mutual respect and a shared vision.

He said changes in the global economy make cooperation on secure, reliable energy supplies and resilient supply chains more important than ever, alongside closer work on artificial intelligence.

He added that the dialogue is a chance to turn shared priorities into strategic investments and major projects.

The event included two panel discussions, one on the future of energy and one on the role of AI in reshaping the economy. Both brought together ministers and business leaders from the two countries.

The dialogue also highlighted Campus AI, a project led by MGX with French and international partners to build advanced computing and AI infrastructure in France.

It comes during President Macron’s official visit to the UAE, which began with talks with UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.