In a recent commentary published by The Wall Street Journal, UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba highlights that one year since the framework for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was announced, Iran has only doubled down on its posturing and provocations. He advocates that the US and the global community should shine a bright light on Iran’s hostile acts across the region and make clear that it will face the full range of available sanctions if its aggression does not stop.

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation led a delegation including Yousef Al Otaiba, Ambassador to the United States and Hamad Ali Al Kaabi, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the fourth Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC

United States Vice President Joe Biden conducted a two-day visit to the UAE, which underscored the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries. During the visit, the US Vice President called the bond between the UAE and US "one of the most significant in the region" and highlighted the UAE's role in the fight against ISIL and extremism. 

At a Center for Strategic and International Studies forum, UAE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba discussed regional challenges posed by ISIS and Iran, and highlighted the role of the UAE as the “promise of a new Middle East.”

Ambassador Al Otaiba reiterated the UAE’s commitment to defeating extremism and terrorism in all forms, as well as its leadership in offering a new vision for the region based on an alternative ideology, modernity and forward-thinking.

See below to watch the full event, as well as Ambassador Al Otaiba's full remarks as prepared for delivery.

UAE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba Highlights Emirates Mission to Mars

Her Excellency Dr.

In 2011, the United Arab Emirates was one of the first countries to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis in Syria. To date, the UAE has provided more than $530 million in humanitarian assistance and development aid, working with local and international partners to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.

Emirates launched its 10^th nonstop US route, connecting Orlando to Dubai. According to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, this new flight route is expected to generate more than $100 million in annual economic activity for the greater Orlando area. For more information, see here. 

2014 was the UAE’s strongest year, with real GDP growing by 4.6%. The UAE’s impressive economic growth is being driven by its non-oil sector, which makes up 68.6% of the UAE economy. Non-oil sectors are expected to continue to grow, reaching 80% of the UAE economy by 2021.