President Sheikh Mohamed and French leader Emmanuel Macron have witnessed the signing of two major energy agreements in Paris.
The first is a comprehensive strategic energy partnership between the UAE and France, and the second is a strategic partnership agreement between Adnoc and TotalEnergies.
The CSEP focuses on enhancing energy security, affordability and decarbonisation, and progressive climate action before Cop28, which is set to take place in the UAE in 2023, state news agency Wam reported.
The landmark partnership builds on the strong, close and long-standing relations between both countries and leverages the UAE’s position as a responsible and reliable supplier of energy.
The UAE holds the sixth-largest crude oil reserves in the world and is committed to enabling global energy security.
Through a balanced and pragmatic approach to the energy transition, the UAE is expanding its crude oil production capacity to five million barrels per day, while increasing its global renewable energy capacity from 23 gigawatts to more than 100GW by 2030.
The Emirates is also investing more than $50 billion in clean energy projects in six continents, including in 27 climate vulnerable island nations, through Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, and other UAE platforms.
The agreement was signed by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, and chairman of Masdar; Bruno Le Maire, French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty; and Agnes Pannier-Runacher, French Minister of Energy Transition.
The UAE is represented by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, while France is represented by the Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, and the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
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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
"The UAE, under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, continues to consolidate its position as a reliable energy provider and key contributor to global energy security while advancing progressive climate action," said Dr Al Jaber, who is also the UAE climate change envoy.
"France is a close, long-standing strategic partner of the UAE, and this Comprehensive Strategic Energy Partnership provides a robust platform for us to work together to better deliver secure, affordable and sustainable energy required to drive economic growth and prosperity for our countries and the world.
"The landmark agreement deepens the cooperation between our countries across the energy value chain and unlocks technology and energy solutions that are good for the climate and the economy.
"In line with the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership, we will continue to build bridges of partnership across conventional and new energies, as well as capitalise on the economic opportunities of the energy transition, strengthen industrial co-operation and drive sustainable growth."
The UAE is adopting a low-carbon pathway to a high-growth destination and is aiming to accelerate progress on this journey as host of Cop28.
The country was the first in the region to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement, the first to commit to an economy-wide reduction in emissions, and the first to announce a Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, which it is leveraging as a catalyst for low carbon growth, new technologies, new industries, new skills and new jobs.
