As part of a high-level official visit to the French Republic, Saudi Minister of Health H.E. Fahad Abdurrahman AlJalajel held formal talks in Paris with H.E. Catherine Vautrin, France's Minister for Labour, Health, Solidarity, and Family Affairs, and H.E. Frédéric Valletoux, Minister for Health and Access to Care.
The meeting underscored a shared commitment to deepening the strategic healthcare partnership between Saudi Arabia and France, with a focus on innovation, biotechnology, and advancing healthcare systems in both nations. The ministers highlighted the importance of mutual trust, knowledge-sharing, and complementary capabilities to drive impactful cooperation.
The French side commended the Kingdom's sweeping healthcare transformation under Vision 2030, particularly in digital health, biotechnology, and quality improvement of care services, recognizing Saudi Arabia's growing role as a global player in health innovation.
Ministers from both countries welcomed the near completion of a comprehensive bilateral agreement to formalize collaboration across critical areas such as public health policy, healthcare system development, disease prevention, and emergency preparedness and response. The agreement is expected to establish a structured platform for continuous dialogue, joint initiatives, and institutional partnerships, aimed at improving health outcomes in both countries.
In a significant step toward public health collaboration, the ministers witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding between the Greater Paris University Hospitals (AP-HP) and the Saudi Red Crescent Authority. The MoUs will serve as a foundation for cooperation in scientific research, healthcare innovation, and the advancement of pre-hospital emergency medical services.
The two sides also reaffirmed their support for joint action on global health challenges, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and expressed strong interest in collaborating with key international institutions, including the WHO Academy and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), based in Lyon.
Considering South Africa's upcoming G20 presidency in 2025, the ministers discussed shared priorities on the global health agenda and emphasized the need for science-driven, coordinated responses to pressing international health issues.
The visit included a series of high-level engagements with senior French officials, including Clara Chappaz, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, and Laurent Saint-Martin, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad.
Minister AlJalajel also took part in the Saudi French Business Council Forum, where multiple strategic agreements were signed, focusing on digital health, oncology, emergency medical services, and biotechnology.
The three-day visit reinforced the two countries' mutual ambition to foster a forward-looking healthcare alliance, driven by innovation, talent development, and medical research, in support of the broader global health objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.