Rafi Shahnawaz

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the United States (US) is the driving force behind America's thriving relationship with the UAE. For well over 25 years, the UAE and US have joined military forces in order to confront aggression, protect vital shipping routes, counter violent extremism and other regional threats in the Gulf. The UAE is the only Arab nation to partner with the US in six coalition military actions and provides vital support to US troops in the Middle East. Furthermore, the UAE and the US have developed a joint military training program in order to preserve security and stability together worldwide. As the head of the UAE Embassy, Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba helped to solidify the US-UAE 123 Agreement, the highest standard of civilian nuclear cooperation in world history. In addition, he was recently honored for his powerful influence in negotiating the Abraham Accords, a historic normalization deal that has made a major impact on the Mideast peace process. Committed to economic growth and development, the UAE Embassy has also established the UAE as one of the fastest-growing US economic partnerships worldwide. Not only have the two countries established an annual Economic Policy Dialogue (EPD), but the UAE has been the top US export market in the Middle East for 13 consecutive years. Their shared commitment to bilateral trade has diversified the UAE’s economy and supports hundreds of thousands of American jobs in fields such as technology, hospitality and domestic airlines. The UAE Embassy also works with the US to promote social and cultural equality between both nations. With this common goal, the UAE has engaged in cultural exchange programs with esteemed US organizations including the Special Olympics, the Meridian International Center, Harvard University and New York University. Through these partnerships, the two countries are actively creating a better future based on diversity, inclusion and mutual respect for all people.