Omran Sharaf Participates in La REF 2026 Roundtable in France on UAE Economic Resilience, IMEC, Space and Technology Cooperation

His Excellency Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, led a UAE delegation participating in the Rencontre des Entrepreneurs de France (La REF 2026), organized by MEDEF at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, as part of efforts to further advance the longstanding strategic partnership between the UAE and the French Republic across key economic and technological sectors.

As part of La REF, H.E. Sharaf participated alongside His Excellency Nicolas Forissier, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Attractiveness, in a dedicated UAE-focused roundtable examining the economic outlook for the Gulf, with a particular focus on the UAE’s strength, long-term economic vision, strategic connectivity, space and investment attractiveness.

The discussion highlighted the UAE economy’s ability to maintain its strength despite the repercussions and challenges affecting maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the critical role of the private sector in sustaining economic activity and supporting business continuity.

Participants also discussed opportunities to advance alternative and complementary connectivity routes for trade and logistics, including through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), and ways to expand UAE–France cooperation in space and advanced technologies.

This coincided with Air France’s resumption of direct flights between Paris and Dubai on 27 August 2026, following a six-month suspension, underscoring the strength of bilateral relations and confidence in the UAE market as a regional and global hub for businesses and air connectivity.

H.E. Sharaf held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Nicolas Forissier, during which both sides underlined the positive trajectory of UAE–France relations and discussed opportunities to further expand cooperation across trade, investment, energy, artificial intelligence and strategic connectivity. The meeting reaffirmed the longstanding strategic partnership that is based on trust between the UAE and France, and the shared commitment to further enhancing and expanding cooperation to achieve mutual priorities and interests.

During the visit, H.E. Sharaf met with Her Excellency Anne Le Hénanff, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, to discuss the progress witnessed across cooperation in artificial intelligence, including AI infrastructure and data centres, and explore opportunities to broaden cooperation to include additional fields of AI and advanced technologies.