News

Read the latest news, press and other updates about
His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, Ambassador of the
United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the United States of America (USA).

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba at the White House signing ceremony for the Abraham Accords.

UAE-Israel Abraham Accords

On September 15, 2020, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived at the White House to normalize diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Following the ceremony, Yousef Al Otaiba’s long-time efforts came to fruition in the historic signing of the Abraham Accords in Washington, DC.

The Ambassador’s exclusive op-ed for Ynetnews details the agreement and corresponding plans to build a peaceful and prosperous future in the Middle East.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba’s op-ed on Israel’s plan to annex occupied territory.

News About
Yousef Al Otaiba

Rivlin meets with UAE ambassador, thanks him for aiding Abraham Accords

June 28, 2021 – Times of Israel

During his time in Washington, DC, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin met with Ambassador Al Otaiba to personally thank him for his prominent role in the Abraham Accords normalization deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Reimagining the Middle East

June 17, 2021 – Tallberg Foundation

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba recently discussed his mission and vision for a new Middle East on the Tallberg Foundation’s ‘New Thinking for a New World’ podcast.

First-Ever Virtual Spirit of Hope Celebrates Abraham Accords, Achievements of FSWC

June 9, 2021 – FSWC

In celebration of the Abraham Accords, the Ambassador delivered a special message of peace and tolerance during the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center’s (FSWC) first-ever virtual Spirit of Hope Benefit.

Al Otaiba joins Yeshiva University’s 90th Annual Commencement Ceremony

June 7, 2021 – Yeshiva University

During Yeshiva University’s virtual commencement, Yousef Al Otaiba joined former Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer in recognizing Jason Greenblatt for his dedicated efforts to advance peace and normalization between the UAE and Israel.

Ramadan 2021: Iftar, Lag B’Omer celebrations highlight Muslim-Jewish dialogue

May 2, 2021 – Khaleej Times

Yousef Al Otaiba spoke on the importance of interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence at the Association of Gulf Jewish Communities virtual Ambassadors panel.

The Sedona Forum: Impact of the Abraham Accords

April 29, 2021 – The McCain Institute at Arizona State University

The McCain Institute virtually welcomed Ambassador Al Otaiba to the 2021 Sedona Forum to discuss the lasting impact of the Abraham Accords.

Partners in Torah to discuss ‘Pillars of Faith’ April 25

April 23, 2021 – Cleveland Jewish News

The Director of Partners In Torah of Cleveland hosted Ambassador Al Otaiba and Malcolm Hoenlein, Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, for a virtual conversation titled “Pillars of Faith: Building a Better World.”

UAE, Israeli Ambassadors Plant Peace Tree for Earth Day

April 21, 2021 – UAE Embassy in US

In celebration of Earth Day, Ambassador Al Otaiba and Israel’s Ambassador to the United States planted a ‘peace tree’ at the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC to honor the newfound UAE-Israel alliance and their collective commitment to addressing global climate change.

The Abraham Accords: A Pathway to Peace with Economic Prosperity

April 16, 2021 – The Institute of Politics at Harvard University

The John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum at Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics hosted an online conversation between Ambassador Al Otaiba and H.E. Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Ambassador to the United States.

UAE economy at the heart of foreign policy, says UAE's US ambassador

April 15, 2021 – Arabian Business

Arabian Business underlined Ambassador Al Otaiba’s optimistic outlook on the UAE’s growing economy during his recent podcast with Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.

US Policy In The Middle East And Prospects For Peace And Economic Growth In A Troubled Region

April 14, 2021 – The Hoover Institution

Ambassador Al Otaiba discussed the Abraham Accords and Middle East conflict with H.R. McMaster on the Hoover Institution’s Battlegrounds podcast.

Barakah is key component of UAE efforts to tackle climate change: UAE Ambassador to US

April 12, 2021 – Gulf News

The Ambassador recently highlighted how Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will play a vital role in the UAE’s long-time mission to develop a clean nuclear energy sector, and to solve the global climate crisis.

Shalva band sings ‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters’ with Emirati artist

March 16, 2021 – Times of Israel

Ambassador Al Otaiba was the featured guest speaker at the 31st anniversary of The Israel Association of Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, also known as Shalva. During the event, the Shalva Band and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra performed a virtual duet of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Thinking About the Abraham Accords

February 24, 2021 – Jewish Standard

In late February, Yousef Al Otaiba attended New Jersey’s Jewish Public Officials Caucus briefing for state elected officials on the Abraham Accords normalization deal.

Top UAE, Israeli diplomats recall their nations’ long road to peace

February 17, 2021 – The Washington Diplomat

The Dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies hosted Yousef Al Otaiba and H.E. Jeremy Issacharoff, Israel’s Ambassador to Germany, for a virtual panel discussion on the future of Arab-Israeli relations.

UAE ambassador to US meets with Erdan in Washington

February 4, 2021 – The Jerusalem Post

Ambassador Al Otaiba met with Israel’s Ambassador to the US to discuss the benefits behind the Abraham Accords and upcoming opportunities for collaboration between the UAE and Israel.

U.S. Policy Toward Arab States, Palestinians, and Israel: Ideas and Approaches for the Biden Administration

February 3, 2021 – The Washington Institute

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba joined Samer Khoury, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum and David Makovsky for the Washington Institute’s virtual Transition 2021 Policy Forum.

Peace, pandemic and politics: Our top 20 of 2020

December 31, 2020 – Ynet News

Ynetnews featured Ambassador Al Otaiba in the top 20 stories of 2020 for his remarkable influence in the development of the Abraham Accords normalization deal.

Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA): ‘The Abraham Accords and U.S. Foreign Policy’

December 24, 2020 – WAM

The Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA) virtually hosted Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and Avi Berkowitz, Assistant to the US President and Special Representative for International Negotiations, to discuss the benefits of the Abraham Accords.

Yousef Al Otaiba Attends Virtual Hanukkah Lighting

December 13, 2020 – The Jerusalem Post

In light of the Abraham Accords, Ambassador Al Otaiba participated in a virtual Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony hosted by the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC.

Morning Joe: The Importance of the Israel-UAE Peace Agreement

December 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.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba, the man behind the UAE-Israel deal

September 11, 2020 – The Jerusalem Post

Spotlighting the Abraham Accords, The Jerusalem Post recounts Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba’s dedicated journey to develop warmer ties between the two countries.

The Peace Entrepreneur

August 19, 2020 – Ynet News

Yousef Al Otaiba is recognized as the “peace entrepreneur” for his heavy influence in establishing the historic UAE-Israel normalization agreement. Publishing an unprecedented op-ed on Israel’s planned annexation, his commitment to UAE-Israel relations has been the driving force behind normalizing diplomatic ties between both regions.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba Statement on Successful Startup of Unit 1 at Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant

August 3, 2020 – UAE Embassy

On August 3rd, Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba recognized the startup of Unit 1 at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant as a major milestone for the UAE’s Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program. Spotlighting the historic US-UAE 123 agreement, he reflected on the UAE’s unwavering commitment to nuclear safety and applauded all those who made this achievement possible.

UAE Ambassador Yousef Al-Otaiba talks about COVID-19, the region, and prospects for governance in the post-pandemic future

June 2, 2020 – Al-Monitor

The Ambassador to the United States, Yousef Al Otaiba, discusses how the UAE is managing the coronavirus pandemic, along with lessons being learned for governance in the post-Covid19 Middle East; Iran; Yemen; Syria; Libya; Qatar; Israeli-Palensitinian issues and more.

Coronavirus Report: The Hill’s Steve Clemons interviews Yousef Al Otaiba

April 24, 2020 – The Hill

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba joins The Hill for an interview to discuss how diplomacy has changed as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Children’s National
Hospital Launches
Pediatric Drive-Up COVID-19 Specimen Collection Site

March 23, 2020 – Children’s National

Yousef and Abeer Al Otaiba contributed to help
jumpstart a new COVID-19 testing facility at
Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.

UAE’s Otaiba lauds country’s peaceful nuclear program

March 6, 2020 – The National

On the finalization of loading the Barakah Energy Plant
with fuel, Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba offered comments
about the UAE’s commitment to a peaceful civilian
nuclear energy program and reducing carbon emissions.

Yousef Al Otaiba:
Our man in Washington

February 21, 2020 – Arabian Business

Arabian Business interviewed Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba
to find out more about the diplomat’s work, daily life, and
current efforts to help strengthen UAE-USA relations.

Inside The Home Of
Yousef & Abeer Al Otaiba

January 13, 2020 – Harper’s Bazaar Arabia

Explore the home of Yousef and Abeer Al Otaiba and
see how their various roles inspire the design of the areas
where they work, live, entertain guests, and raise their children.

Fashion & Foreign Policy Mingle in Abu Dhabi

December 18, 2019 – WWD

In December, UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba
and his wife Abeer, Creative Director of SemSem, hosted their
annual dinner at Café Milano in Abu Dhabi. Guests included
actor Steve Harvey, entrepreneur Hannah Bronfman, former
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and boxer Amir Khan.

Articles by
Yousef Al Otaiba

A Successful Mideast
Nuclear Deal

Wall Street Journal – March 4, 2020

In early March, the UAE announced that it had completed its project to load fuel into its new Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. This accomplishment comes almost 10 years after the USA and UAE signed a bilateral agreement for nuclear cooperation.

Special Olympics in Abu
Dhabi is a sign of progress

CNN – March 14, 2019

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver discuss how holding the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates shows progress in promoting inclusiveness and tolerance.

Why We Invited the Pope
to the Arabian Peninsula

Politico Magazine – February 2, 2019

In 2019, Pope Francis became the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula. Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba explains why the UAE invited the Pope to visit Abu Dhabi and how interfaith and intercultural cooperation can help encourage tolerance and deter extremism.

The UAE has made progress
toward being a model
for positive change in
the Middle East

Washington Post – December 7, 2018

The United Arab Emirates is leading the way in helping to build a more peaceful and prosperous world. Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba provides insights on how the UAE has established itself as a model for positive change in the region.

The Arab coalition is
making progress against extremists in Yemen

Washington Post – September 12, 2018

The UAE is part of a UN-mandated coalition against terrorism in Yemen. Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba describes how the UAE and its partners have fought against al-Qaeda in Yemen and throughout the Arabian Peninsula.

Yousef Al Otaiba
Press Releases

UAE Ambassador to US
Yousef Al Otaiba Meets
with Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo; Carries Message from UAE Foreign Minister

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba recently met with Secretary
of State Mike Pompeo to deliver a letter from UAE Foreign Minister His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on how the US and the UAE can work together in response
to the novel coronavirus.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba Statement on Peace Plan

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba released a statement
in support of ongoing efforts by the US to help reach
a peace agreement between Palestine and Israel.

UAE Delegation Meets with
Senior U.S. Government
Officials in Washington, DC
to Commemorate Ten-Year Anniversary of Peaceful Civilian Nuclear Energy Cooperation

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba joined a delegation from
the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) who met
with US officials to discuss the UAE’s ongoing development
of a peaceful nuclear energy program.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba Statement on the Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba offers a statement in response to the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a raid by US Armed Forces and support for ongoing efforts to fight extremism in the Middle East.

UAE Embassy in Washington, DC Hosts Annual Interfaith Iftar; Ambassador Highlights UAE's Commitment to Tolerance, Religious Diversity in UAE

The UAE Embassy hosted an interfaith Iftar led by UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba and attended by more than 150 religious, government, and community leaders.