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

UAE-funded Children’s National Research and Innovation Campus Opens

June 9, 2022 – The National
The Ambassador celebrated the opening of the Children’s National Research and Innovation Campus, inaugurated by Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Health.
UAE announced a gift to help construct the new Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus
Bronx soccer field, a benefit of the Abraham Accords, is part of emerging friendship between Rep. Ritchie Torres and the UAE

A new soccer field in the Bronx courtesy of the Abraham Accords

May 26, 2022 – Jewish Insider
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba’s influence in the Abraham Accords sparked a new friendship between Bronx Congressman Ritchie Torres and the UAE, leading to the restoration of the Crotona Park soccer field.

'Light onto the nations': Hebrew University and affiliates strive for knowledge, achievement and peace

May 6, 2022 – Jewish News Syndicate
The Ambassador joined Israel’s Ambassador to the US Michael Herzon for a panel discussion on the Abraham Accords during Hebrew University’s annual SCOPUS Award Gala.
Emirates Mars Mission

Emirati astronaut to spend six months in space station

April 29, 2022 – Gulf News
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba joined a historic signing ceremony between the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and Axiom Space at the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC. The will send the first Arab astronaut on a six-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Liberty University hosts ambassadors for Abraham Accords discussion

April 1, 2022 – Liberty University
Liberty University’s Helms School of Government and School of Business hosted Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba, Ambassador Gilad Erdan and Ambassador Abdulla Khalifa to discuss the Abraham Accords Agreement.
Robert Greenway (on stage, right) moderated the panel with Gilad Erdan (left). Yousef Al Otaiba (on screen, left) and Abdulla AL Khalifa joined remotely. (Photos by Ross Kohl)

JINSA Abraham Accords Report Release

January 19, 2022 – JINSA
Yousef Al Otaiba delivered opening remarks for JINSA’s Abraham Accords Report Release titled “A Stronger and Wider Peace: A U.S. Strategy for Advancing the Abraham Accords.”

Under COVID's shadow, AAM hosts 2021 virtual awards extravaganza

December 27, 2021 – Washington Diplomat
At the 2021 AAM Awards, Ambassador Al Otaiba honored the first anniversary of the Abraham Accords and discussed future UAE-Israel film opportunities.
Yousef Al Otaiba at UAE Embassy’s 50th National Day Event

UAE Embassy in Washington, DC Celebrates 50th National Day

December 2, 2021 – UAE Embassy
Ambassador Al Otaiba led the UAE Embassy’s 50th National Day Celebration at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

County officials and McLean Youth Soccer celebrate opening of newly converted Holladay Field

November 5, 2021 – Tyson Reporter
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba joined County Officials to celebrate the grand opening of the Holladay Field in McLean, Virginia.
Officials cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Holladay Field in McLean (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority)

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.

Ambassador Al Otaiba speaks from a podium at the UAE Embassy.
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.