UAE, France Hold Energy Forum to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and France have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral energy cooperation through renewable energy, nuclear power, energy storage, advanced technologies and carbon emissions reduction.

The UAE-France Energy Forum, held under the theme “Powering Tomorrow Together” at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, was co-organised by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) in cooperation with CCI France UAE.

The forum brought together senior government officials, energy industry leaders, experts and stakeholders from both countries to explore new opportunities for collaboration and strengthen the longstanding energy partnership between the UAE and France.

The event provided a platform for strategic dialogue, knowledge exchange and business engagement, building on the two countries’ existing cooperation and a high-level UAE delegation’s visit to Paris in May 2025.

Discussions focused on the evolving global energy landscape and the need to balance decarbonisation with energy security, economic competitiveness, technological advancement and reliable energy supplies.

Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the MoEI, said the UAE and France shared a commitment to developing secure, resilient, competitive and increasingly low-carbon energy systems.

He noted that the forum offered an opportunity to translate this shared commitment into practical cooperation by bringing together government representatives, industry leaders, investors and research institutions.

Al Olama highlighted significant opportunities for collaboration in renewable energy, electricity grids, energy storage, nuclear power, innovative technologies, oil and gas decarbonisation, and strategic infrastructure to support economic growth and the global energy transition.

Marie Audouard, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to the UAE, said France was ready to support the UAE in strengthening the resilience and strategic autonomy of its energy system.

“Together, we are building a more secure, resilient, and low-carbon energy future,” she said.

The forum featured three high-level thematic sessions addressing key priorities across the energy sector.

The first session, titled “Powering Resilience: Renewables, Grids, Storage & Strategic Energy Infrastructure,” examined the development of resilient electricity systems capable of integrating increasing volumes of renewable energy while meeting growing electricity demand.

Participants discussed grid modernisation, energy storage, renewable energy integration and infrastructure investment, alongside the impact of economic growth and technological developments on future electricity systems.

The second session, “Low-Carbon Solutions: Nuclear & Innovative Technologies Shaping Energy Sovereignty,” explored the role of nuclear energy and emerging low-carbon technologies in strengthening energy security, supporting decarbonisation and ensuring long-term resilience.

Discussions also highlighted the importance of technological advancement and industrial expertise in developing reliable low-carbon energy systems, with participants exploring opportunities for knowledge exchange and cooperation between UAE and French stakeholders.

The third session, “Oil & Gas: Carbon Footprint Reduction, CCS, Energy Security & the Future of Global Supply,” addressed the continuing role of oil and gas in the global energy mix and the transformation of the sector through emissions reduction, carbon capture and storage (CCS), operational efficiency and technological innovation.

Participants also examined the links between energy security, investment and changing patterns of global energy supply.

In addition to the thematic sessions, the forum facilitated government-to-government engagements, business-to-business meetings and networking opportunities, enabling organisations from both countries to explore potential partnerships across the energy value chain.

The discussions underscored the importance of continued collaboration among governments, energy companies, infrastructure operators, technology providers, investors, financial institutions, academic institutions and research organisations in addressing the growing complexities of the global energy transition.

Through the “Powering Tomorrow Together” initiative, the UAE and France reaffirmed the importance of sustained dialogue and practical engagement in advancing bilateral energy cooperation and strengthening connections between their respective energy sectors.

The forum is expected to encourage continued engagement between Emirati and French stakeholders, with a focus on identifying opportunities for technological, industrial and investment cooperation in areas of shared strategic interest.