日本語
한국어
Polski
Deutsch
Nederlands
Español
Français
Português
Italiano
Svenska
繁體中文
Dansk
// DOSSIER — saudi-arabia-france-strategic-partnership-agreements
Saudi Arabia-France Strategic Partnership and Multi-Billion Euro Agreements (August 2026)
REL_TIME: 25 Aug 2026 19:42Z · LANG: EN
During a state visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to France on August 23-24, 2026, Saudi Arabia and France signed 21 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) spanning defense, artificial intelligence, healthcare, infrastructure, and investment. Key highlights include a ‐6 billion Dragon Ball Z-themed amusement park in Cergy-Pontoise financed by Qiddiya, a $5 billion credit line between the National Debt Management Center and Bpifrance, and major infrastructure contracts involving Alstom, CMA CGM, and Mistral AI. The leaders also held the first meeting of the French-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council, marking 100 years of political relations, and discussed regional security issues including Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen.
// Background
The relationship between Saudi Arabia and France is underpinned by a century of diplomatic ties. In December 2024, during President Macron's state visit to Saudi Arabia, the two nations established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Strategic Partnership Council. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 program aims to diversify the Kingdom's economy away from oil by expanding its industrial, technological, tourism, and logistics sectors. France has become one of the largest sources of foreign investment in Saudi Arabia, with French investment stock reaching approximately ‐16.3 billion in 2024, while Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) invested ‐7.36 billion in France between 2017 and 2024.
// Key Developments
- Signing of 21 agreements and MoUs across defense, AI, energy, healthcare, transport, and tourism during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's state visit to France.
- Announcement of a ‐6 billion ($7 billion) Dragon Ball Z-themed amusement park in Cergy-Pontoise, France, funded by Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya Investment Company, expected to create 22,000 jobs.
- Establishment of an initial $5 billion credit line between Saudi Arabia's National Debt Management Center (NDMC) and French public investment bank Bpifrance to support Vision 2030 projects.
- Major infrastructure deals, including a ‐500 million contract for Alstom to supply Riyadh Metro trains and a ‐434 million agreement between CMA CGM and Red Sea Gateway Terminal for Jeddah Port's Terminal 4.
- Strategic AI collaboration between Saudi Arabia's HUMAIN and France's Mistral AI to develop sovereign AI and Arabic-language frontier models, valued in the hundreds of millions of euros.
- Extension of the AlUla cultural and archaeological partnership between France and Saudi Arabia until 2035.
- Signing of the See Agreement for Expo 2030 Riyadh, establishing the legal and administrative framework for international participants.
// Timeline
-
French President Emmanuel Macron conducts a state visit to Saudi Arabia, establishing the Strategic Partnership Council.
-
The General Assembly of the BIE in Paris approves the See Agreement for Expo 2030 Riyadh.
-
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman conducts an official state visit to France, holding talks with President Macron.
-
Saudi Arabia and France announce the ‐6 billion Dragon Ball Z theme park project in Cergy-Pontoise and sign multiple bilateral agreements.
-
Details of the 21 agreements, including the $5 billion credit line, the HUMAIN-Mistral AI partnership, and the health cooperation MoU, are publicized.
// Perspectives
[Saudi Arabia and France (Joint Leadership)]
Committed to deepening bilateral strategic ties, promoting regional stability through diplomatic solutions (specifically regarding Iran, Palestine, and Lebanon), and expanding economic cooperation under Saudi Vision 2030 and France 2030.
[French Government / President Emmanuel Macron]
Views Saudi Arabia as an increasingly vital partner for energy, logistics, and technology, while showcasing major joint projects like the ‐6 billion theme park as evidence of France's attractiveness for foreign investment.
[Private Sector and State-Owned Enterprises]
Highly supportive of the bilateral agreements, actively leveraging the strategic partnership to secure multi-million and multi-billion euro contracts in infrastructure, entertainment, and advanced technology.
// Quotes
“The signing of the See Agreement marks an important milestone in preparations for Expo 2030 Riyadh. It further strengthens the institutional framework between the BIE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...”
“Together, the companies will pursue the development and localization of advanced AI models, with initial areas of focus including cybersecurity and voice.”
“I see Saudi Arabia not simply as a technology market, but as a launchpad for companies with regional and global ambitions.”
