Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s important visit to France

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman began an important official visit to France last week, with a program filled with many events. On Friday, the crown prince held an expanded meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, which I had the honor of attending. It included several ministers and senior officials from both countries, who reviewed the historical and strategic relations between the two countries and ways to develop them in all fields — in a way that serves the interests of both countries and their friendly peoples. They also exchanged views on international and regional developments, along with ways to coordinate joint efforts in this regard.
It is certain that this visit will have significant outcomes and will provide additional impetus to the strengthening of cooperation and partnership between the two countries. It is also an important opportunity to hold consultations and coordinate joint action to face growing challenges and risks to people globally — with the ongoing Ukrainian crisis undoubtedly being the most prominent example. During his consultations with several heads of state, the crown prince affirmed the Kingdom’s support for all diplomatic and mediation efforts aimed at ending the crisis, resolving it politically and restoring security and stability.
The crown prince had also met with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Jeddah last month during the latter’s visit to the Kingdom. The Ukraine leader participated in some of the activities of the Arab League Summit hosted by Saudi Arabia, during which he exchanged views with Arab leaders on the crisis and proposals for a diplomatic solution.
In February, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited Kyiv, where a memorandum of understanding was signed to implement a joint cooperation program to provide humanitarian aid and relief packages valued at $400 million for the Ukrainian people. This was part of an agreement previously announced by the Kingdom following the phone call between the crown prince and President Zelensky in October 2022. Two cooperation agreements valued at $10 million were also signed by the King Salman Center for Humanitarian Aid and Relief in April 2022, with the World Health Organization and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, to provide Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries with shelter and medical assistance.
Bilateral relations between France and the Kingdom are growing and developing. The two countries have a strong partnership based on a great friendship and cooperation in various political, security, economic and cultural fields. Trade between the two countries grew significantly in 2022, rising by 74 percent compared to the previous year, to over €10.7 billion ($11.7 billion), according to data issued by the French Ministry of Finance and Economy. These statistics are also supported by the data of the Saudi Foreign Trade Authority.
There is still room to deepen and consolidate ties, particularly since the Kingdom is undergoing significant transformation with its giga-projects and broad development as part of the Vision 2030 plan. This plan is built on the foundations of human development, sustainability and environmental protection, as well as social and economic stability. This undoubtedly provides more opportunity to enhance cooperation with France in science and other fields. This includes ensuring greater localization of industries, boosting transfers of technology, the further development of a knowledge-based society, increasing the training of people, adopting renewable and clean-energy initiatives, and further pacts in the water and agricultural sectors.
This is the crown prince’s second trip to France, with the first taking place in July 2022, and after the visit of President Macron to the Kingdom in December 2021. These visits confirm the exceptional personal relations between the two countries’ leaders and their people.
The crown prince was invited by Macron to participate in the important political summit that France will host on Thursday and Friday, titled “Building a New Consensus for a More Inclusive International Financial System.” A select group of people — including 45 prominent heads of state and government, the secretary-general of the UN and the heads and general secretaries of other leading international organizations and funds — will participate in the summit. The event, through its numerous seminars and roundtables, aims to hold constructive discussions and seek international solidarity on the difficulties facing the world in terms of financing and sustainable development, which are linked to climate change.
In addition to the aforementioned, the crown prince and his accompanying delegation will participate in a third event of great importance to the Kingdom, which is the Conference of the States Parties to the Bureau International des Expositions’ Convention. Saudi Arabia is one of the leading candidates to host the World Expo 2030 exhibition, in Riyadh. The crown prince will also oversee the reception and exhibition that is taking place on Monday. The Kingdom has so far received widespread support from many friendly countries, with France at the forefront. During the crown prince’s visit to France last July, Paris officially announced its support for the Kingdom’s candidacy.
Last year, when Saudi Arabia announced its candidacy to host Expo 2030, which is the largest such event in the world, I was honored to participate in the reception of the verification team, Mission d’Enquete, appointed by the general secretariat of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris. The verification team, which included the bureau’s secretary-general and several international experts, visited Riyadh in March to determine its eligibility to host the event. It concluded its weeklong visit by lauding the extensive human and developmental renaissance taking place under the umbrella of the Kingdom’s much-praised Vision 2030 strategic plan. In its report, the team confirmed the readiness of Riyadh and its ability to host and organize Expo 2030, which is expected to record more than 40 million visits.

There is a great deal of similarity between French and Saudi citizens in their appreciation of history, the arts and culture.

Fahad M. Al-Ruwaily

Of course, Riyadh’s hosting of Expo 2030 would ensure greater cooperation between the Kingdom and France on various economic, cultural and technical levels. It would also promote rapprochement and understanding between the Kingdom’s people and the global community, especially French citizens. There is a great deal of similarity between French and Saudi citizens in their appreciation of history, the arts and culture.
Some of my friends have asked me if I face any challenges or obstacles in my role as Saudi ambassador to France. I have replied that, thankfully, I have not encountered any. However, there are sometimes hurdles that result from a lack of knowledge, a lack of information or, in some cases, prejudice. There are still some people on the French side who are not fully aware of the Kingdom’s culture, history and the long-standing traditions of its people. The same thing can be said about the trade and business sectors, with some French nationals unaware of the Kingdom’s huge capabilities.
Saudi Arabia, it must be emphasized to these people, enjoys significant political and economic stability, has good human resources, competent young experts and modern infrastructure, as well as natural and mineral resources. In addition, its geographical position makes it an ideal location for the development of a vibrant commercial hub, for the Gulf, Middle East and globally. It is located between three of the world’s continents — Asia, Africa and Europe — and overlooks some of the most important international maritime routes for the transport of sources of energy, goods and services.
Similarly, there is still a lack of understanding among Saudi businessmen and investors with regard to the huge potential of France, especially in technology, digital industries, innovation, artificial intelligence, human resources development, the pharmaceutical sector, renewable and clean energy production, water treatment, space sciences and aviation.
Although ties have improved significantly in recent years, additional cooperation is needed between government bodies, the private sector and commercial and civil authorities in order to get to the desired level. The visit of the crown prince will undoubtedly assist in this regard because he is accompanied by a high-level delegation consisting of several ministers — foreign affairs, culture, finance, investment, industry and transport — as well as senior officials, including the head of the Public Investment Fund. An expanded Saudi-French Business Council forum will be held during the visit, constituting a good opportunity for the two sides to boost ties. An exhibition has been organized in Paris that will provide French visitors, diplomats and delegates with an overview of the Kingdom’s past and glorious present, its beautiful capital, Riyadh, and the extensive human and developmental renaissance currently underway.
As for the French side, numerous initiatives have been launched, the latest being the Gulf Vision 2023 conference that took place on June 13-14 under the auspices of President Macron in the grand conference hall at the French Ministry of Finance and Economy’s headquarters. It focused on trade and economic exchange between France, the Kingdom and the other GCC countries. I was honored to take part in the conference, which also saw the participation of Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef, along with a high-level official Saudi delegation.
The event was also attended by French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and Minister of Foreign Trade Olivier Becht. The Saudi private sector was represented at the conference by the head and senior members of the Saudi-French Business Council, while the French private sector was represented by the head and members of Business France. At the end of the conference, and in light of the initiative’s success, the attendees agreed to turn the conference into an annual event.
I am honored, as the Saudi ambassador to France, along with my team at the embassy, consulates and affiliated offices, to be expending considerable effort to enhance cooperation between the two countries, through periodic events and forums, in consultation with the relevant bodies in both nations.
Everyone is undoubtedly looking forward to the outcomes of this important visit and the success it will achieve, much like that of the crown prince’s previous visits. A promising future beckons — one of mutually beneficial ties between the peoples of these two great nations.

• Fahad M. Al-Ruwaily is Saudi Arabia's ambassador to France. Twitter: @Fahadalrwaily