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

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba welcomed new bilateral relations between the UAE and Israel.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba, the man behind the UAE-Israel deal

September 11, 2020 – The Jerusalem Post

Spotlighting the Abraham Accords, The Jerusalem Post recounts Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba’s dedicated journey to develop warmer ties between the two countries.

The Peace Entrepreneur

August 19, 2020 – Ynet News

Yousef Al Otaiba is recognized as the “peace entrepreneur” for his heavy influence in establishing the historic UAE-Israel normalization agreement. Publishing an unprecedented op-ed on Israel’s planned annexation, his commitment to UAE-Israel relations has been the driving force behind normalizing diplomatic ties between both regions.

UAE Ambassador to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba, was named the "Peace Entrepreneur" by Ynetnews.
The UAE's Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant generated the first megawatts of clean and eco-friendly electricity in the Arab world.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba Statement on Successful Startup of Unit 1 at Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant

August 3, 2020 – UAE Embassy

On August 3rd, Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba recognized the startup of Unit 1 at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant as a major milestone for the UAE’s Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program. Spotlighting the historic US-UAE 123 agreement, he reflected on the UAE’s unwavering commitment to nuclear safety and applauded all those who made this achievement possible.

UAE Ambassador Yousef Al-Otaiba talks about COVID-19, the region, and prospects for governance in the post-pandemic future

June 2, 2020 – Al-Monitor

The Ambassador to the United States, Yousef Al Otaiba, discusses how the UAE is managing the coronavirus pandemic, along with lessons being learned for governance in the post-Covid19 Middle East; Iran; Yemen; Syria; Libya; Qatar; Israeli-Palensitinian issues and more.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba spoke with Andrew Parasiliti about issues like governance in the post-COVID Middle East.
The Hill interviewed Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba about diplomacy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus Report: The Hill’s Steve Clemons interviews Yousef Al Otaiba

April 24, 2020 – The Hill

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba joins The Hill for an interview to discuss how diplomacy has changed as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Children’s National
Hospital Launches
Pediatric Drive-Up COVID-19 Specimen Collection Site

March 23, 2020 – Children’s National

Yousef and Abeer Al Otaiba contributed to help 
jumpstart a new COVID-19 testing facility at
Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba helped launch a pediatric drive-up COVID-19 collection site at Children's National Hospital.
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba commented on the UAE’s commitment to a peaceful civilian nuclear energy program.

UAE’s Otaiba lauds country’s peaceful nuclear program

March 6, 2020 – The National

On the finalization of loading the Barakah Energy Plant
with fuel, Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba offered comments
about the UAE’s commitment to a peaceful civilian
nuclear energy program and reducing carbon emissions.

Yousef Al Otaiba:
Our man in Washington

February 21, 2020 – Arabian Business

Arabian Business interviewed Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba
to find out more about the diplomat’s work, daily life, and
current efforts to help strengthen UAE-USA relations.

A headshot of UAE Ambassador to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba, taken in his office.
Explore the home of UAE Ambassador to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba, in Harper's Bazaar Arabia.

Inside The Home Of
Yousef & Abeer Al Otaiba

January 13, 2020 – Harper’s Bazaar Arabia

Explore the home of Yousef and Abeer Al Otaiba and
see how their various roles inspire the design of the areas
where they work, live, entertain guests, and raise their children.

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.