Saudi-French talks focus on health innovation

The event explored partnership prospects between the Kingdom and France in digital health and advanced medical technologies.(SPA)
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Updated 16 April 2025
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Saudi-French talks focus on health innovation

  • Ministerial delegation explores digital tools and partnerships to transform healthcare

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel attended a Saudi-French healthcare meeting organized by the Saudi-French Business Council in Paris.

The event focused on enhancing economic cooperation in key sectors, especially healthcare, biotechnology, and foreign and private investments, in line with the goals of Vision 2030, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It also explored partnership prospects between the Kingdom and France in digital health and advanced medical technologies, aiming to boost joint investment opportunities and support both countries’ ambitions to advance their healthcare sectors.

In his speech, the minister highlighted the depth of strategic ties between the Kingdom and France, noting that this strong partnership showed a shared commitment to advancing global health and tackling health challenges.

AlJalajel also emphasized cooperation in innovation, particularly in biotechnology and localizing the healthcare industry to enhance resilience and sustainability.

The event concluded with both sides underscoring the importance of strengthening economic ties and expanding cooperation to serve mutual interests and a shared future vision.

During his official visit to France, the Saudi minister also held high-level bilateral meetings in Paris, the SPA reported.

He met with Anne-Claire Legendre, adviser to the French president, at the Elysee Palace, where they discussed strengthening the Saudi-French partnership in health, especially in system development, medical innovation, and knowledge exchange.

He also met with Minister of State for Digital Affairs Clara Chappaz to explore cooperation in artificial intelligence technologies and their healthcare applications, focusing on improving quality and service efficiency.

In addition, AlJalajel met with Saudi scholarship students in Paris, praising their academic achievements and role in representing the Kingdom in international scientific forums.

He stressed their importance in shaping the future of the health sector through knowledge and innovation.

The Saudi minister’s visit will also include the signing of several memoranda of understanding in digital health, the pharmaceutical industry, and ambulatory services, as well as meetings with senior French officials to discuss future healthcare partnerships.

AlJalajel is accompanied by a delegation from the Ministry of Health, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, the Public Health Authority, Seha Virtual Hospital, the Ministerial Committee for Health in All Policies, and Health Holding Co.


Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

Updated 23 December 2025
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Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

MUSCAT: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi on Monday.

They reviewed bilateral relations between their nations and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields. Additionally, they discussed regional and international developments.

The ministers co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council in the Omani capital, Muscat, with the participation of the heads of the Council’s subsidiary committees and the two heads of the Council’s General Secretariat teams.

The meeting comes as an affirmation of the keenness of Saudi and Omani leaders to strengthen ties and advance them toward greater prosperity for both nations.

In his remarks during the meeting, Prince Faisal affirmed that gathering builds on the previous council meeting, held last year in AlUla, and on its positive and fruitful outcomes within the framework of the approved recommendations and initiatives. 

He stressed the importance of continuing the work of the council’s subsidiary committees to complete the necessary procedures to implement the remaining initiatives, and of the General Secretariat’s role in follow-up and in addressing any challenges that may hinder implementation.

He also underscored the importance of developing and enhancing trade relations, stimulating investment, and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.

He also praised the ongoing work to establish and launch the Coordination Council’s electronic platform, which aims to connect all committee work and initiatives to facilitate follow-up on the Council’s progress. 

Al-Busaidi affirmed in his remarks the qualitative progress in relations between the two countries and the notable development witnessed across numerous sectors toward achieving economic integration and enhancing intra-trade and joint investments. 

The Omani foreign minister also highlighted deeper cooperation in the security and judicial fields, as well as the cultural and tourism sectors, noting the advanced and continuous political cooperation, consultation, and coordination on regional and international issues.