Health Minister’s Visit to France Paves the Way for Extensive Health Collaboration in Innovation and Biotechnology.
The Saudi Minister of Health, Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel, held an official meeting in Paris with the French Minister of Labor, Health, and Solidarity, Catherine Fautrin, and the Minister of Health and Access to Care, Yann Nodier. During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and France in the healthcare sector. They expressed support for strengthening cooperation between the healthcare systems in both countries, emphasizing the importance of building a relationship based on mutual trust, exchanging experiences and knowledge, and integrating capabilities.
The French side praised the transformation taking place in the healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia in line with Vision 2030, especially in the areas of digital health, biotechnology, innovation, and improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. The ministers welcomed the nearing completion of a comprehensive agreement aimed at framing bilateral healthcare cooperation, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing collaboration in key areas, including public health policies, healthcare system development, disease prevention, and preparedness and response to health emergencies.
The agreement is expected to establish a systematic framework for continuous dialogue, joint initiatives, and the exchange of experiences to support the improvement of health indicators in both countries and strengthen institutional cooperation. The ministers witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding between the Public Assistance Hospitals of Paris (AP-HP) and the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, representing an initial step towards an effective partnership between public health institutions, especially in the areas of scientific research, innovation, and the development of pre-hospital emergency medical services.
They reiterated their commitment to supporting mechanisms for joint work in global health, enhancing multi-stakeholder cooperation, particularly in addressing emerging challenges such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and expressed a particular interest in the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, both headquartered in Lyon, France. In the context of South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in 2025, the two parties discussed health priorities within the group’s agenda and expressed their desire to contribute to a scientifically evidence-based approach to addressing global health challenges.
The ministers agreed on the importance of continuing regular dialogue between the health ministries of both countries, activating channels for joint work to ensure effective follow-up and implementation of strategic cooperation areas. During his official visit to Paris and Lyon, Minister Al-Jalajel held a series of high-level meetings with senior French officials, including the Commissioner for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Intelligence, Clara Chabas, and the Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, Laurent Saint-Martin.
He also attended the Saudi-French Business Council Forum and witnessed the signing of several strategic agreements focusing on digital health, oncology, emergency medical services, and biotechnologies. These meetings highlighted the commitment of both countries to enhancing mutual cooperation in the field of health innovation, developing national capabilities, medical and biological research, in support of the goals of Vision 2030.
