The President, Sheikh Mohamed, leaves France after his official state visit. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed stands for the national anthem. Catherine Colonna, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is also pictured. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed stands for the national anthems. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to Ms Colonna. Photo: Presidential Court
Members of the French honour guard play the national anthem before Sheikh Mohamed's departure. Photo: Presidential Court
President Sheikh Mohamed speaks to Emirati students and doctors studying in France. Seen with Shamma bint Suhail Al Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Youth, second right, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, fourth right. Photo: Presidential Court
President Sheikh Mohamed with Emirati students and doctors, along with Shamma bint Suhail Al Al Mazrouei, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, fourth from left. Photo: Presidential Court
President Sheikh Mohamed meets students and doctors. Photo: Presidential Court
President Sheikh Mohamed greets Emirati students and doctors who are studying in France. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed, with Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed, speaks to Catherine Colonna. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed arrives at Matignon Hotel in Paris to meet Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Sheikh Mohamed arrives at the Matignon to meet Ms Borne. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed leaves Matignon hotel. Chris Whiteoak / The National
President Sheikh Mohamed signs a guest book during a military ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed stands at attention as the national anthems of the UAE and France are played at the Arc de Triomphe. Photo: Presidential Court
The UAE President greets a members of the Unknown Soldier’s Torch Committee. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Photo: Presidential Court
The UAE President meets Yael Braun-Pivet, sixth from right, President of the French National Assembly, in Paris. The senior UAE officials include Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation; Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed with Ms Braun-Pivet at the National Assembly Presidency Palace. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed is received by Ms Braun-Pivet during his state visit to France. Photo: Presidential Court
The UAE President gives a speech during a dinner hosted in his honour by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Versailles Grand Trianon in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed is in France on his first overseas trip as UAE President. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed discussed the important role that France has undertaken in the Middle East and expressed his interest in continuing to work together to promote peace, stability and security across the region. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed, Mr Macron and France's first lady Brigitte Macron at the Versailles Grand Trianon. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed with French Senate President Gerard Larcher in Paris. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The UAE President met Mr Larcher at Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court
Members of the UAE delegation attend the meeting at Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, managing director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, during the meeting at Luxembourg Palace. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed's decision to visit France on his first trip overseas as UAE head of state is considered highly significant and a recognition of the strength of ties between the two countries. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Sheikh Mohamed and a delegation of ministers and senior officials began the day with a visit to the historic Les Invalides complex, home to the military museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The UAE President then travelled a short distance to Luxembourg Palace. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Mr Larcher said he was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the Cop28 climate change conference, which will be hosted at Expo City Dubai in November 2023, and 'a lot about the energy issue, which is very important'. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Sheikh Mohamed arrives at Luxembourg Palace in Paris. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron watch as Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, and France's Energy Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher sign a comprehensive strategic energy partnership between the two countries. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed, Mr Macron, Dr Al Jaber, Ms Pannier-Runacher and France's Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire after the signing ceremony in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed holds talks with Mr Macron at Elysee Palace in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed is welcomed to Elysee Palace by Mr Macron. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed with Mr Macron and France's first lady Brigitte Macron after the UAE President's arrival at Elysee Palace in the French capital. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The UAE leader warmly embraced Mr Macron on his arrival in Paris, describing him as a friend and his country as one of the Emirates' closest allies. Chris Whiteoak / The National
During a private lunch, the two leaders reviewed new agreements that expand decades of partnership and collaboration between the UAE and France. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Sheikh Mohamed spoke about the common interest that the UAE and France share in confronting climate change. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A French guard of honour awaits the arrival of Sheikh Mohamed to Elysee Palace. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The UAE President attends an official reception hosted by Sebastien Lecornu, France's Minister of Armed Forces, at the military museum in Paris. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed is accompanied by Mr Le Cornu as he inspects a guard of honour and meets officials at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court
The UAE President visited the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte within the Dome des Invalides at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed was set to meet top French officials during his two-day visit, including Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and President of the National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, vice chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Mr Le Cornu at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Le Cornu stand at attention as the two countries' anthems are played. Photo: Presidential Court
The UAE President's motorcade arrives at the military museum. Photo: Presidential Court
Emirati flags adorned the streets around Elysee and Luxembourg palaces. Photo: Presidential Court
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan is UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
July 26, 2022
It was no coincidence that my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chose France as the destination for his first state visit as the newly elected President of the UAE. Quite the contrary; it is a recognition of the deep and strategic ties that bind our two nations together: politically, economically and culturally.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed was elected on May 14. His appointment followed the passing of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who realised how important international relationships were and made it his mission to cultivate warm and friendly relations with as many nations as possible. Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to France continues the legacy and vision of his predecessor; to build deep, productive and lasting relationships with those who share our values, so we can continue to flourish and advance together.
The UAE and France have been strategic partners for many years across a vast array of fields ranging from our common opposition against extremism and other global security threats all the way to our shared co-operation in promoting culture, inter-faith dialogue, tolerance and co-existence, as well as expanding health care and education.
As a nation we only celebrated our 50 years in December last year – but we have made rapid progress, alongside partners like France. Today, more than 25,000 talented French families and people call the UAE home; the largest French expatriate community in the Gulf. More than 600 French companies have settled in our country, employing more than 30,000 workers. French exports to the UAE are worth about $3.6 billion annually – the country’s second-largest in the Gulf.
Learning from each other by entering into dialogue with one another is part of the DNA of our nations
Our partnership goes way back and has been consistently reinforced throughout the years. Sorbonne University opened its doors in Abu Dhabi in 2006. In 2009, France inaugurated a naval base, Camp de la Paix, at Port Zayed in Abu Dhabi. French President Emmanuel Macron joined Sheikh Mohamed, then crown prince of Abu Dhabi, for the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017, the first universal museum in the Arab world, which has become a symbol of openness and progress in the region. In 2018, we joined the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, which has resulted in more than 10,000 young pupils learning French in our schools.
These are some examples of what the UAE stands for in the Middle East; tolerance, inter-faith dialogue, and peaceful co-existence. We seek to build bridges and, where necessary, to mend fences. We believe a more prosperous region is better for not just ourselves and our neighbours but for the wider world. I know France shares this view, too.
As we look forward, it is our shared belief in the power of collaborative innovation to address the challenges we collectively face, that is the engine of our strategic partnership. The strong economic, cultural and social ties between our two countries guide us to further consolidate our relations and explore additional areas of co-operation. In practice, this will mean exploring more synergies in the field of sustainable economic development, green energy and scientific research.
During the state visit, President Sheikh Mohamed and President Macron witnessed the signing of two major energy agreements that focus on the security, affordability and decarbonisation of energy supplies. This landmark partnership, which demonstrates progressive climate action before the UAE hosts Cop28 next year, builds on the strong, close and long-standing relations between the two countries, and leverages the UAE’s position as a responsible and reliable supplier of energy.
The Sorbonne University campus in Abu Dhabi. Delores Johnson for The National
UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed's first presidential tour of France in 1975, with a young Sheikh Mohamed watching on. Zaki Nusseibeh
Previously released images show French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing speaking with Sheikh Zayed at a dinner in Elysee Palace during the UAE Founding Father's visit to Paris on July 4, 1975. On the left is French prime minister Jacques Chirac speaking with First Lady Anne-Aymone Giscard d'Estaing. Photo: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter
French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing meets Sheikh Zayed during a visit to Abu Dhabi in 1980. Photo: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter
French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing visits Abu Dhabi, where he is greeted by Sheikh Zayed, in 1980. Photo: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter
Our collaboration on the sustainability front comes in tandem with support for each other’s rapid technological development. Beyond financing, this entails a closer co-operation in research and development for cutting-edge technologies, and academic and cultural exchanges that will help drive innovation to new frontiers and synergies across the fields of science, medicine, defence and sustainable agriculture.
In Paris this week, 11 agreements were signed renewing our joint commitment to a range of activities including space exploration with France’s National Centre for Space Studies, health research with the Pasteur Institute and co-operation in the fields of higher education and standardisation.
Learning from each other by entering into dialogue with one another is part of the DNA of our nations, and is what has made our partnership so fruitful. As such, we look forward to exchanging best practices with France when it comes to technological, social and ecological innovations to expedite the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The UAE and its people have always believed that success lies in solidarity and in collaboration – nation to nation, community to community, person to person. Sheikh Mohamed’s first state visit to Paris was a testament to this: alongside France, the UAE is determined to push ahead.
This op-ed was originally published in Le Figaro
His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
Pot 1: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China
Pot 2: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Oman, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Jordan
Pot 3: Palestine, India, Bahrain, Thailand, Tajikistan, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Philippines
Pot 4: Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Yemen, Afghanistan, Maldives, Kuwait, Malaysia
Pot 5: Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Guam, Macau/Sri Lanka
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
Profile Periscope Media
Founder: Smeetha Ghosh, one co-founder (anonymous)
Launch year: 2020
Employees: four – plans to add another 10 by July 2021
Financing stage: $250,000 bootstrap funding, approaching VC firms this year
Investors: Co-founders
LILO & STITCH
Starring:Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Over a period of seven years, a team of scientists analysed dietary data from 50,000 North American adults.
Eating one or two meals a day was associated with a relative decrease in BMI, compared with three meals. Snacks count as a meal. Likewise, participants who ate more than three meals a day experienced an increase in BMI: the more meals a day, the greater the increase.
People who ate breakfast experienced a relative decrease in their BMI compared with “breakfast-skippers”.
Those who turned the eating day on its head to make breakfast the biggest meal of the day, did even better.
But scrapping dinner altogether gave the best results. The study found that the BMI of subjects who had a long overnight fast (of 18 hours or more) decreased when compared even with those who had a medium overnight fast, of between 12 and 17 hours.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
