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

Wind turbines generating clean energy in the UAE.

UAE Ambassador Al Otaiba Discusses Creating a Sustainable Future

December 6, 2023 – American Association for the Advancement of Science

Renowned for its innovation, the UAE has prioritized environmental sustainability and solutions for improved clean energy and climate change. Yousef Al Otaiba sat down with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, outlining the UAE’s plans for sustainability and clean energy.

Interview: Looking Towards a Sustainable Future

December 6, 2023 – Science & Diplomacy

In an interview with Science & Diplomacy, UAE Ambassador to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba discussed the cooperation between the two countries on various initiatives. These include efforts related to climate science, clean energy technology, space exploration and sustainable food production.

Photo of Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the U.S.
UAE Ambassador to the U.S., Yousef Al Otaiba speaking to other leaders.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba Participated in COP28

November 30, 2023 – Gulf Today
UAE Ambassador to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba attended COP28 alongside UAE President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Al Otaiba participated in various meetings with leaders from around the world to discuss collective actions to benefit international relations and address climate change.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba Joins President Sheikh Mohamed and Other Diplomats for Discussions at COP28

Nov 23, 2023 – The National News

In November, delegates from around the world, including UAE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed, met at the COP28 conference in Dubai. The discussion covered many topics of interest for the countries in attendance, including tackling climate issues through cooperation and collective action.

UAE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and other delegates meet at the COP28 conference in Dubai.
Steve Harvey and Yousef Al Otaiba video chat with astronauts on the International Space Station.

Call From Space Highlights UAE-U.S. Cooperation

August 25, 2023 – Gulf News
The UAE Embassy in Washington, DC, along with NASA and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), co-hosted a “Call from Space,” where they spoke to Emirati and American astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The event was hosted by Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and emceed by Steve Harvey.

Abeer and Yousef Al Otaiba Fund Supports KHCC Patients

2023 – King Hussein Cancer Foundation USA
Abeer and Yousef Al Otaiba established a Goodwill Fund to help alleviate the financial burdens of underprivileged patients seeking treatment at the King Hussein Cancer Center. To date, the fund has supported seven underprivileged children and refugee patients with their treatments.
A patient and doctor at the King Hussein Cancer Center.
UAE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba speaks on the UAE–ADL partnership.

Ambassador Al Otaiba Emphasizes the Importance of Coexistence on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Television Show

June 13, 2023 – The National News
Yousef Al Otaiba and Johnathan Greenblatt, Anti-Defamation League chief executive, spoke on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to discuss the recently-opened Manara Centre and how it will promote peace and coexistence among cultures while proactively counteracting extremism and hate.

German and UAE Embassies Celebrate the Upcoming Special Olympics World Games

May 16, 2023 – PR Newswire
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba joined representatives from the UAE Embassy and the Federal Republic of Germany for an event that spotlighted the Special Olympics and the impact the games have had in promoting inclusion for people with disabilities around the world.
UAE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba stands with German Ambassador Emily Haber at a Special Olympics event.
Cars driving in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Ambassador Al Otaiba Recognizes U.S.–UAE Alliance Ahead of White House Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Middle East Visit

May 05, 2023 – The National
Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, and Ambassador Al Otaiba remarked on the vital role of the UAE–U.S. alliance upon Sullivan visiting the Middle East for cooperation meetings.

Articles by
Yousef Al Otaiba

An invigorated identity for Arab youth - ASDA'A BCW Arab Youth Survey Middle East

Arab Youth Survey – October 20, 2021
The Ambassador presents his optimistic perspective on the ASDA’A BCW Arab Youth Survey 2021.
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba works on a computer at his Embassy desk

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

The Washington Institute – February 3, 2021
Yousef Al Otaiba joined Samer Khoury, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum and David Makovsky for the Washington Institute’s virtual Transition 2021 Policy Forum.

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.

UAE Ambassador to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba, speaks at the UAE's 45th National Day celebration.
Ambassador Al Otaiba plays table tennis with a Special Olympics athlete.

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.

Pope Francis speaks in the UAE.
The Dubai Frame observatory, museum and monument in Zabeel Park, Dubai.

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.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba

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 with USA Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Ambassador Al Otaiba speaks from a podium at the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C.

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 Al Otaiba speaks with a U.S. government official.
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba

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.

Ambassador Al Otaiba stands with others at the Iftar.