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

Small winery in the mid-Willamette Valley outside Salem, Oregon

UAE envoy to US hints at expanded food and tech co-operation with Israel

November 3, 2021 – The National
The Ambassador discussed future UAE-Israel cooperation in food security, agriculture, technology and artificial intelligence.

UAE Embassy in Washington launches '50 Years | 50 Faces' campaign to highlight shared values, cooperation with US

November 2, 2021 – WAM
In honor of the UAE’s Golden Jubilee, Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba introduced the new UAE Embassy “50 Years | 50 Faces” campaign.
Celebrating the UAE’s 50th Anniversary

Ribbon-cutting ceremony upcoming for McLean field

October 21, 2021 – Inside Nova
Ambassador Al Otaiba helped to fund the brand new Holladay soccer field, set to open October 30th in McLean, Virginia.

Ambassador Al Otaiba personally hosts Abraham Accords anniversary dinner

October 14, 2021 – The National
One year after the UAE-Israel breakthrough, the Ambassador hosted diplomats from the UAE, US and Israel for a celebratory dinner.
2020 UAE Israel Peace Agreement

Amb. Yousef Al Otaiba deserves a Nobel Peace Prize - opinion

September 22, 2021 – The Jerusalem Post
In an opinion piece published by The Jerusalem Post, Sander Gerber discussed how Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba’s prominent role in the Abraham Accords should ultimately earn him a 2022 Nobel Peace Prize.

NYUAD Celebrates Milestone 10-Year Anniversary with a Two-Day Virtual Program

September 21, 2021 – NYUAD
As a close friend and partner of New York University, Ambassador Al Otaiba participated in NYU Abu Dhabi’s virtual 10-year anniversary celebration.
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba Addresses NYUAD Class of 2016
peace plane flag

Diplomats mark one year since Abraham Accords in NY, Washington

September 13, 2021 – The Jerusalem Post
In honor of the Abraham Accords first anniversary, top diplomats from the UAE, US, Israel and Bahrain traveled to Washington, DC and New York to celebrate the many milestones achieved in the last year.

Expo 2020 Dubai reflects UAE’s endeavour to build more optimistic, peaceful, prosperous future: UAE Ambassador to US

September 5, 2021 – WAM
Ambassador Al Otaiba spotlighted how the long-anticipated Expo 2020 Dubai reflects the UAE’s deep commitment to building a more hopeful, peaceful and prosperous future across the globe.
Expo 2020 aerial shot

Dr. Anwar Gargash Concludes Visit to Washington, DC

July 16, 2021 – UAE Embassy
During his visit to Washington, DC, Ambassador Al Otaiba joined UAE Presidential Advisor Dr. Anwar Gargash for a series of meetings focused on the future of the UAE-US relationship.

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.