Yousef
Al Otaiba
Ambassador of the UAE to the USA
During his time in office, Ambassador Al Otaiba has focused his diplomatic efforts on reinforcing UAE-US relations through economic, cultural, security, defense and military cooperation. Shortly after arriving in Washington DC, he helped to facilitate the US-UAE 123 agreement, which sealed the strongest bilateral agreement for peaceful nuclear energy cooperation worldwide. As a prominent leader in Middle East stabilization efforts, his op-ed in Yedioth Ahronoth gained international attention for directly addressing the potential opportunities for normalized diplomatic and trade relations between the UAE and Israel. A normalization agreement between the two nations was announced just a few months later in August 2020. Shortly after the peace treaty was signed, the ambassador made the annual TIME 100 list of the most influential people in the world.
Beyond maintaining regional stability, Ambassador Al Otaiba’s ongoing efforts to enhance UAE-US economic relations have established leading partnerships with US organizations to advance healthcare, education, business, sports and culture. These innovative exchanges continue to diversify the UAE’s economy, rapidly increase bilateral trade, expand investment opportunities and provide job security within both countries. His deep-rooted commitment to global tolerance and religious freedom has not only inspired the UAE Embassy’s annual interfaith Iftars, but has led to ongoing engagement with a broad array of religious communities. In addition, he formally welcomed and honored the Pope’s first-ever visit to the Arabian Peninsula in 2019. “This weekend, Pope Francis and the Grand Imam will unite their voices in prayers and homilies to the billions of Catholics and Muslims across the world. It will come from the heart of the Arab world in a country that embraces and lives these ideals every day,” he wrote in a Politico commentary.
“Through government initiatives, policy organizations and our own rule of law, we're creating a place where people from all backgrounds, faiths, nationalities and perspectives can join together to learn, engage in artistic expression, and exchange ideas.”
News & Updates
Dec. 10, 2020 America Abroad Media
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba joins creative leaders at the 2020 AAM Virtual Awards Dinner to discuss his critical role in the Abraham Accords.
Dec. 9, 2020 YouTube
Yousef Al Otaiba virtually welcomed the Future Diplomats PeaceGame amid the coronavirus pandemic in December, 2020.
Dec. 7, 2020 MSNBC
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and Israeli Ambassador to the US, Ron Dermer, appear on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to discuss the UAE-Israel Abraham Accords.
Latest Op-Eds
“As two of the Middle East’s most dynamic economies and vibrant societies, closer UAE-Israel ties will accelerate growth and innovation, expand opportunities for young people, and breakdown long-held prejudices.”
Insights
diplomatic efforts of Ambassador Al Otaiba and others at the UAE Embassy.
The UAE’s Legacy of Inclusion, Tolerance and Interfaith Cooperation
The UAE is home to over 200 different nationalities and has become one of the most diverse societies in the world. Founded in 1971, the country
UAE Mission to Mars Launches with Hope Probe
On July 14, 2020, the UAE launched its first-ever mission to Mars and made history as the first Arab country to venture beyond Earth’s orbit.
Videos
Watch recorded speeches, ceremonies, events and other videos featuring Yousef Al Otaiba’s exceptional work with the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC. Here, Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba had the honor of delivering his keynote address to the New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) class of 2016.
Speaking & Events
Gallery
Podcast
Listen to the latest conversations between Ambassador Al Otaiba and special guests.
Philanthropy
As both a private citizen and Minister of State, Yousef Al Otaiba supports a wide range of charitable organizations, humanitarian ventures, and recovery efforts in areas that have suffered from disaster. Through this engagement, he’s contributed to the UAE’s long-time partnership with Children’s National Medical Center, the first Special Olympics World Games in the MENA region and efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19. Learn more about the ways that Ambassador Al Otaiba and his wife Abeer support communities and individuals in the UAE, the US, and elsewhere around the world.
UAE-USA United
As close friends and strong allies, the UAE and the US work together to promote security, economic prosperity and a future-oriented outlook based on inclusion, equality, and diversity. United for a better future, UAE-US relations inspired the launch of Podbridge, a podcast presented by the UAE Embassy’s official podcast dedicated to discussing emerging issues and ideas of shared interest between the US, the Middle East and the world.
“In the UAE, the pandemic has taught us to accelerate our focus on technology, to continue breaking barriers in fields like space exploration, and to reimagine our education system.”
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