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Riyadh, Paris Set to Boost Strategic Cooperation in Various Fields

French minister delegate for foreign trade and economic attractiveness Franck Riester, Asharq Al-Awsat
French minister delegate for foreign trade and economic attractiveness Franck Riester, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Riyadh, Paris Set to Boost Strategic Cooperation in Various Fields

French minister delegate for foreign trade and economic attractiveness Franck Riester, Asharq Al-Awsat
French minister delegate for foreign trade and economic attractiveness Franck Riester, Asharq Al-Awsat

Riyadh and Paris are launching a new phase for developing their shared strategic partnership in various economic, investment and trade fields, reported a senior French official, revealing that the two countries could be signing much anticipated agreements next week.

Franck Riester, French minister delegate for foreign trade and economic attractiveness, reaffirmed that awaited deals and understandings will cover a number of sectors, including nuclear and renewable energy.

Water, healthcare, digital economies, innovation and logistics industries are also fields that could witness a strengthening Saudi-French cooperation.

France is seeking to develop its economic relationship with Saudi Arabia under the framework of the partnership agreed between President Emmanuel Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman back in 2018.

“I am here in Riyadh for one day upon the invitation of Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih,” Riester told Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that his visit to the kingdom presents a good opportunity for him to gain an audience with former and current ministers and investors.

“We are currently starting a new phase in the development of the French-Saudi partnership as a result of joint efforts exerted by President Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” affirmed the delegate.

Riester also explained that the outcomes of discussions and meetings he held during his one-day visit to Saudi Arabia will lay the foundations for boosting ties with France and reflect positively on both countries.

Other than growing the volume of import and export exchange between the Kingdom and France, the two states are also looking to increase their investments in each other’s industries.

“We are currently working on several different areas in which agreements will be struck next week,” said Riester, adding that he discussed with Saudi officials several upcoming contracts that will be signed between French and Saudi companies.

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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)

Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated that the organization will take an active role at COP16, the UN conference on combating desertification, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in early December.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he expressed confidence that the conference—the first of its kind in the Middle East—would produce significant outcomes.

Elwaer’s comments came during a roundtable organized by FAO’s regional office in Cairo, attended by a select group of media representatives. The session focused on FAO’s participation in the upcoming conference and the importance of the Rio Trio —the integrated framework of the three major UN conventions addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, and desertification.

Fida Haddad, FAO’s Program Officer for Land Rehabilitation and Climate Change, highlighted the interconnectedness of the three conventions and noted that COP16 would place a strong emphasis on land and water rehabilitation and their sustainable management.

Haddad pointed out that approximately 90% of the Middle East is affected by arid conditions. Despite this, local communities and Arab governments have made notable progress in addressing desertification and drought. She also announced that, for the first time, FAO has successfully placed food systems on the COP16 agenda, enabling discussions on how land rehabilitation can enhance food supply chains and systems.

Elwaer underscored FAO’s central role in achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): eradicating hunger. He emphasized that FAO actively engages in the UN conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, which collectively contribute to this mission.

FAO’s focus, according to Elwaer, is on transforming food and agricultural systems to become more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable, aiming for better production, nutrition, and livelihoods. He highlighted the organization’s success in integrating these priorities into the agendas of the three conventions and collaborating with host countries on joint initiatives.

He further noted that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 is particularly significant for the region, which faces pressing challenges such as water scarcity, desertification, and food insecurity. The conference presents an opportunity for Middle Eastern nations to highlight these issues, explore solutions, and ensure their inclusion in global environmental discussions, not only at this event but in future COP sessions, he underlined.

Elwaer emphasized the growing global attention on desertification, as it is now impacting regions previously unaffected, such as southern Europe and parts of Latin America. These areas are witnessing alarming declines in arable land and forests, prompting them to seek lessons from the Arab world, which has developed resilience strategies to combat desertification over centuries.

FAO will have a strong presence at COP16, with two dedicated pavilions—one in the Blue Zone for official delegations and another in the Green Zone to engage civil society and conference participants, he said.

He added that in collaboration with Saudi Arabia and the UN, FAO will lead coordination on Food Day and Governance Day, scheduled for December 5 and 6, respectively. The organization will also participate in other specialized sessions throughout the conference.