Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country wants to become an accredited partner of Saudi Arabia in Expo 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034. He said this while addressing the concluding session of the Saudi-French Investment Forum in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The forum marked a significant step forward in strengthening the bilateral relationship between France and Saudi Arabia, laying a foundation for future investment and cooperation.
In his speech, Macron expressed his desire to partner in the Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in areas of decarbonization and innovation.
“Saudi Arabia and France are countries with very close relationships. We want to be partners of your vision for 2030, first decarbonization,” he stated. He also outlined key sectors for collaboration, including energy, water, transport, tourism, healthcare, and artificial intelligence.
The French president highlighted the longstanding and reliable partnership between France and Saudi Arabia, underscoring the importance of collaboration in various sectors. Reflecting on the historical context of the partnership, he said, “During our history, we've always been reliable partners for each other.” He stressed the importance of this reliability amidst global fragmentation.
Macron emphasized the role of innovation in achieving climate and digital transitions, referencing projects like the IMEC corridor from India to Europe.
He praised the collective efforts that led to the success of the forum, stating: “The most important thing is not these remarks, but what you created all together during these days. Exchanging information, projects, teaming up and obviously signing new agreements.”
The French president emphasized the mutual commitment to innovation and disruption, stating that both nations share a vision for a multipolar order, peace, and balanced partnerships. “We do believe that we have great partners all over the place, but we don't want to be too much dependent on any of them,” he asserted.
With 145 companies involved in the forum, Macron highlighted the robust economic ties, noting: “We are already the second largest foreign investor in the Kingdom with 200 French companies established in Saudi Arabia employing approximately 12,000 people.” He urged Saudi investors to consider opportunities in France, saying: “We can have many more companies and investors coming from Saudi Arabia investing in France.”
Addressing the significance of artificial intelligence, Macron proclaimed, “France is a unique partner for you, for AI,” citing the country's strong education system and commitment to low-carbon energy. “We are developing more and more data centers with big partners,” he said while indicating a readiness to collaborate further in this field.
The French president also expressed enthusiasm for upcoming events tied to Saudi Arabia’s 2030 vision, including the Expo 2030 and the Asian Games. He noted, “We want to be a reliable partner for these great events,” pointing to France's experience in successfully organizing the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Macron encouraged French businesses to invest more in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Kingdom as a cornerstone for the entire region. He invited Saudi investors to view France as a gateway to Europe and Francophonie, highlighting the potential for growth in a market of nearly 700 million inhabitants.
“Let’s just take each other as reliable and long-term partners,” Macron urged, expressing optimism for the future of Franco-Saudi collaboration. “Both of us are full of energy. So now let’s deliver.”
