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

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.

Partnership with Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy Announced

June 28, 2021 – Times of Israel
Yousef Al Otaiba and UAE Embassy officials accompanied Dr. Anwar Gargash to announce a new partnership between Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy.

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.”

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.

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.

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.