A Major Event in France-GCC Economic Dialogue
On 18 and 19 June, the fourth edition of Vision Gulf was held at the Ministry of the Economy in Paris, under the high patronage of the President of the Republic. Organized by Business France, with the support of key French institutional stakeholders and the Gulf countries, this event has established itself as the leading platform for economic dialogue between France and the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
For the second consecutive year, Pierre‑Yves LUCAS, partner at our firm, took part in this exceptional gathering, which brought together ministers, business leaders, investors and leading experts. The 2026 edition clearly marked a step up, both in terms of the number of participants and the quality of discussions, as well as the particularly high level of speakers.
We extend our thanks to the organizers, in particular Business France, Bpifrance and all the institutions involved in making this event a success.
France-GCC: a transforming partnership
Beyond the topics traditionally addressed — investment, infrastructure, transport, energy and culture — Vision Gulf also highlighted the evolution of the relationship between France and the Gulf countries.
A few decades ago, this relationship was primarily based on contracts for the supply of equipment, technologies or services. This was followed by phases of operation, maintenance and operational support.
Gradually, this contractual logic gave way to a truly integrated economic cooperation model, built on long‑term partnerships, cross‑border investments and a shared vision of development.
Evolving Themes: From ESG to AI, and Now Resilience
This transformation has also been reflected in the themes successively highlighted during major Franco‑Gulf economic forums.
A few years ago, the focus was on sustainable development and ESG objectives (Environmental, Social and Governance). Last year, artificial intelligence naturally took centre stage. Today, a new concept has emerged: resilience.
Recent geopolitical developments in the Middle East, disruptions to supply chains, energy challenges and cyber risks have all underscored a fundamental reality: in an uncertain world, economic performance is no longer measured solely by the ability to grow, but also by the ability to withstand shocks and continue developing despite them.
Resilience: A New Structuring Principle
Resilience has thus become a central principle of public policy and corporate strategy. In the Gulf countries, it is reflected in:
- strengthening compliance frameworks,
- securing critical infrastructure,
- protecting supply chains,
- accelerating digital transformation,
- developing an open yet sovereign economic model.
This evolution does not represent a withdrawal — quite the opposite.
Resilience is not the opposite of growth; it has become its condition. The most attractive economies will be those capable of offering stability, legal certainty, innovation and adaptability. The Gulf states have fully understood this. Their ambition is not to reduce their international openness, but to make it more robust, more sustainable, more efficient and more sovereign.
France-GCC Relations: More Strategic Than Ever
In this context, relations between France and the Gulf countries appear more strategic than ever. They are now based not only on converging economic interests, but also on a shared vision of the major challenges of the 21st century: energy transition, technological transformation, artificial intelligence, infrastructure security and economic resilience.
Vision Gulf 2026 has confirmed a fundamental trend: after the era of contracts, followed by the era of partnerships, we are now entering the era of resilience. A resilience that goes far beyond crisis management and has become one of the key economic drivers for the future.