- The UAE–France Energy Forum – “Powering Tomorrow Together” brought together senior government representatives, energy industry leaders, experts and key stakeholders from the UAE and France to strengthen bilateral cooperation and explore opportunities for practical collaboration across the energy sector.
Co-organized by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) and CCI France UAE, the Forum, held at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, provided a platform for strategic dialogue, knowledge exchange and business engagement, building on the strong energy partnership between the two countries and the high-level UAE delegation to Paris in May 2025.
The Forum examined the evolving global energy landscape and the need to balance decarbonization with energy security, economic competitiveness, technological development and reliable energy supply. Discussions focused on areas where the UAE and France can leverage their complementary capabilities to support resilient and sustainable energy systems.
His Excellency Eng Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said: “The UAE and France share a strong commitment to building energy systems that are secure, resilient, competitive, and increasingly low carbon. The UAE–France Energy Forum provides an important platform to translate this shared commitment into practical cooperation by connecting government, industry, investors, and research institutions. Through partnerships across renewables, grids, storage, nuclear energy, innovative technologies, oil and gas decarbonization, and strategic infrastructure, we can combine our respective capabilities to develop solutions that support both economic growth and energy transition.”
Her Excellency Marie Audouard, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to the UAE, said: “France stands 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.”
The Forum featured three high-level thematic sessions addressing key priorities across the energy sector.
The first session, “Powering Resilience: Renewables, Grids, Storage & Strategic Energy Infrastructure,” explored the development of resilient electricity systems capable of integrating growing volumes of renewable energy while meeting rising electricity demand. Discussions covered grid modernization, energy storage, renewable integration and infrastructure investment, as well as the implications of economic and technological development for future electricity systems.
The second session, “Low-Carbon Solutions: Nuclear & Innovative Technologies Shaping Energy Sovereignty,” examined the role of nuclear energy and innovative low-carbon technologies in supporting energy security, decarbonization and long-term energy resilience. Participants discussed the contribution of technology and industrial expertise to reliable low-carbon energy systems and explored 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 continued role of oil and gas in the global energy system and the transformation of the sector through emissions reduction, carbon capture and storage (CCS), operational efficiency, technology and innovation. The session also considered the relationship between energy security, investment and the evolution of global energy supply.
Alongside the thematic discussions, the Forum facilitated government-to-government (G2G) engagements, business-to-business (B2B) meetings, and networking opportunities, connecting participating organizations from both countries and creating opportunities to explore potential partnerships across the energy value chain.
The Forum highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between governments, energy companies, infrastructure operators, technology providers, investors, financial institutions, academia and research organizations in addressing the increasingly complex requirements of the global energy transition.
Through “Powering Tomorrow Together,” the UAE and France reaffirmed the value of sustained dialogue and practical engagement in advancing energy cooperation and strengthening connections between their respective energy ecosystems.
The Forum is expected to support continued engagement between UAE and French stakeholders following the event, with a focus on identifying opportunities for technological, industrial, and investment cooperation across areas of shared strategic interest.