Emmanuel Macron to visit UAE for talks on security, AI and Gulf stability
Emmanuel Macron is expected in the UAE on October 19 for discussions on defence, security and artificial intelligence, as the French President undertakes a three-day Gulf tour focused on regional stability and energy supplies.
Macron arrived in Kuwait on Monday, where he was welcomed at the international airport by Sheikh Meshal, the Emir of Kuwait. His itinerary also includes Bahrain and Qatar, with the tour running until October 21.
The visit comes as disruption around the Strait of Hormuz continues to affect oil exports, placing maritime security and the movement of energy supplies at the centre of France’s regional diplomacy.
Defence, security and AI on the UAE agenda
Macron’s discussions in the UAE will address established areas of cooperation, including defence and security, alongside newer technologies such as AI.
The agenda brings together immediate regional concerns and longer-term priorities in the relationship between the two countries.
The French President has visited the Emirates on several occasions during his presidency, with engagements spanning military cooperation, climate diplomacy and culture. This visit places those connections within a Gulf-wide effort to address the consequences of the current crisis.
Strait of Hormuz remains a central concern
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and its impact on energy prices, will be a principal subject throughout Macron’s tour.
The Élysée Palace has identified restoring stability and freedom of navigation as key objectives of his discussions with regional leaders.
France also wants to secure and diversify its energy supplies and transport routes, seeking to reduce the effects of the crisis on households.
All four Gulf countries on Macron’s itinerary have experienced attacks on energy infrastructure during the US-Iran war. Oil exports through Hormuz have also been curtailed, while growing pressure around Bab Al Mandeb has raised concerns about further disruption.
Alongside these security and energy discussions, Macron is expected to address economic relations with Gulf partners and attend a climate event in Qatar.
A continuing relationship with the Emirates
Macron’s most recent UAE visit took place in December 2025, when he met President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed at the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi and addressed French troops stationed in the country.
Earlier visits included the opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017 and his participation in COP28 in Dubai in 2023.
Those engagements reflect the breadth of the relationship, from cultural institutions to defence and international climate cooperation. The October visit adds another round of discussions, with regional security and emerging technologies sharing the agenda.
