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

World Leaders and U.S.–UAE Business Council Members Converge in Washington, DC, for I2U2 Initiative Pledge

May 05, 2023 – The National
On April 20, 2023, Amb. Yousef Al Otaiba — among other leaders from the UAE, U.S., India and Israel — signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote the I2U2 Initiative and form the I2U2 Business Coalition.
Yousef Al Otaiba joins members of the U.S.–UAE Business Council to sign an I2U2 Memorandum of Understanding.
Officials from the UAE Embassy in Washington DC pictured at the launch of the Manara Centre.

UAE Launches Manara Centre to Promote Tolerance

March 14, 2023 – Jewish Insider
Inspired by conversations between Emirati Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, the Manara Centre is a new initiative that will promote tolerance and coexistence while creating opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration.

Ambassador Al Otaiba Joins US and UN Officials for Climate Action Discussion

March 10, 2023 – The National
Yousef Al Otaiba attended a meeting set by US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on opportunities for accelerating climate action and clean energy ahead of the UAE’s hosting of the COP28 Conference.
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba pictured with US Senator Mitt Romney and COP28 President-Designate Sultan Al Jaber.
Yousef Al Otaiba poses for a photo with HH Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other UAE and US officials.

Ambassador Al Otaiba Meets With Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan During US visit

February 17, 2023 – UAE Embassy
Ambassador Al Otaiba met with HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with senior US government officials, during the Sheikh’s visit to the US to discuss the UAE’s efforts regarding humanitarian relief, peace and climate change.

UAE showcases its culture: National Mall in the US to turn into Emirati majlis

June 15, 2022 – Khaleej Times
After a two-year hiatus, the Ambassador welcomed the Smithsonian Folklife Festival’s return to the National Mall in the US and the UAE’s very own featured program, Living Landscape | Living Memory.
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba attended the UAE's Living Landscape | Living Memory program at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
close view of a laboratory technician in the process of pipetting a sample of vitamin E acetate

Abu Dhabi primed to be major clinical trial capital, officials say

June 12, 2022 – The National
Ambassador Al Otaiba spoke on how the UAE-US partnerships are helping to expand the UAE’s journey toward becoming a leading destination for clinical trials and research-focused corporations.

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.
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba spoke alongside Ambassador Michael Herzog during Hebrew University’s annual Scopus Award Gala.

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.