An expansion of bilateral partnerships into new areas of health care, science and technology was agreed at the 12th session of the UAE-France Strategic Dialogue on Wednesday as officials held a virtual session of the high-level meeting for the first time.
The meeting was co-chaired by Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi, and François Delattre, Secretary-General of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Plans for a decade of strategic partnership from 2020 to 2030 featured bilateral co-operation initiatives across key sectors.
The Emirati and French joint efforts to overcome the coronavirus outbreak and put in place post-pandemic policies were at the heart of the dialogue. Both sides agreed to enhance their partnership in health care, including ambitious targets for scientific, medical and pharmaceutical co-operation.
Agreement was reached to make artificial intelligence a strategic component of bilateral partnerships. This comes in the way of “A Vision for a Digital 21st Century” agreement signed last year by the French Minister of the Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire, and the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Omar Al Olama.
Alongside were discussions of issues of regional and international significance as the partners reaffirmed the commitment to global peace, security and development. The prevention of tensions and the resolution of crises in the Middle East is a common goal and both sides also expressed their shared interest in the inclusive and economic development across Africa and the region.
The strengthening of ties in the education sector was also discussed. Both sides welcomed Abu Dhabi’s launch of a coding school in partnership with l’Ecole 42, the world-renowned French coding school.
The high-level meeting took place in line with the guidelines set out by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Emmanuel Macron, the President of France.
From the UAE, attendees included Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation; and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and chief executive of Adnoc.
The flagship achievements of the accord over the past decade include the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and implementation of the 2009 Joint Defence Agreement.
Key sectors of bilateral co-operation include the economy, trade and investment, oil and gas, nuclear and renewable energy, education, culture, health, space and security.
In December 2018, the UAE became a participating member of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.
