H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba has helped shape one of the UAE’s most important global partnerships, strengthening ties with the United States across diplomacy, culture, innovation, economic development and artificial intelligence. Under his leadership, the UAE became the United States’ largest trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa region and a key player in future-facing cooperation. In recent years, the Al Otaiba supported the launch of two landmark initiatives: the UAE-U.S. AI and tech partnership in 2024 and a trillion-dollar economic partnership in 2025. These milestones reflect the expanding depth of UAE-U.S. collaboration in both innovation and investment.

His commitment to shared prosperity has also driven longstanding partnerships with leading U.S. institutions, including New York University, the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership, and the Cleveland Clinic. These endeavors, along with his involvement with the U.S.-UAE. Business Council, have helped cement the UAE as the United States’ largest trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa region, growing bilateral investment, and further developing the two countries’ strategic alliance.

Al Otaiba’s leadership has aided the creation of various programs centered around public health, humanitarian relief, community engagement, and inclusion, such as the establishment of the first Special Olympics hosted in the Middle East. Additionally, his commitment to strengthening the strategic UAE-U.S. partnership has led to the creation of multiple initiatives, notably UAE Preferred. Through his involvement with the campaign, Al Otaiba has helped promote the shared visions of the UAE and the U.S. including on security, prosperity, climate initiatives, equality, tech, and AI.

Find more information about Al Otaiba’s diplomatic and philanthropic work at the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC.