Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba's Schools

• Georgetown University Bachelors in International Relations

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba's Affiliations

• Oasis Foundation

• Children’s National Medical Center

• Johns Hopkins Medicine

• The Cleveland Clinic

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba's Publications

• The Children’s National Medical Center April, 2011 Over the last few years, Ambassador >Yousef Al Otaiba offered his extensive support raising funds the Children’s National Medical Center of Washington, DC. For nearly 150 years, the Children’s National Medical Center has provided cutting-edge care to children in the United States. While caring for childhood injuries and illnesses of all kinds, the center has earned a reputation as one of the primary leaders of new treatment development and application. The Children’s National Medical Center provides the full range childhood medicine, including research, care, education, and advocacy. In addition to meeting the needs of its own patients, the center seeks to improve healthcare across the United States and abroad. The US News & World Report and the Leapfrog Group rank Children’s National Medical Center as one of the premier pediatric hospitals in America. The Children’s National Medical Center coordinates the efforts of an internationally acclaimed pediatric healthcare team while caring for more than 360,000 patients every year. These patients come from the surrounding area, the nation, and the world. Recognized for its extensive resources, the center is designed as the region’s referral center for cardiac, trauma, cancer, and pediatric emergency care. It also serves as the referral center for neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and neonatology. The center works as an advocate for proper care for all children. It has offered more than $50 million worth of medical care to underserved patients without receiving compensation. These and other services are made possible by an array of financial contributions. High-profile charity fundraisers like Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba work to encourage these contributions.

• Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and Export Control in the United Arab Emirates (2/2) May, 2011 continued from Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and Export Control in the United Arab Emirates (1/2) In August 2007, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government took a major step toward quashing instances of illicit export across the country’s borders. Mandating stringent penalties for any person involved with the illegal diversion of goods moving into and out of the UAE, Federal Law Number 13 granted government leaders full authority to ban the import, export, or secondary export of any materials categorized as threatening the UAE’s environmental codes, natural resource cache, national security infrastructure, public health system, or foreign policy proceedings. Moreover, Federal Law Number 13 restricted international trade of weaponry, other military hardware, and chemical or biological substances with the potential to be utilized in warfare. Forming an official committee to oversee and manage import and export activity, the UAE also clarified penalties levied on those who break the law. Under the new legislation, people who choose to engage in criminal trade are subject to fines of more than $270,000, and/or up to one year of imprisonment. In September 2008, shortly after Yousef Al Otaiba became the UAE Ambassador to the United States of America, the UAE government opted to amend export control laws to a marked degree, determined to improve the implementation and efficacy of its directives. By April 2009, the UAE cabinet had successfully organized the UAE Committee on Commodities Subject to Import and Export Control. An agency that reports right to the Council of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Commodities Subject to Import and Export Control also operates under the auspices of the President of the UAE. Working closely with the United States on a number of bilateral and multilateral regulation efforts, the UAE has accomplished much in the past several years. A participant in the U.S. Container Security Initiative (CSI), the UAE now stations a team of customs officers and border protection patrols in close proximity to Dubai’s many ports, screening American-bound containers for contraband. Forming a strong relationship with the U.S. Department of Energy, the UAE recently launched the Megaports Initiative, as well, thus deterring terrorist activity related to the shipment of dangerous nuclear and non-nuclear materials. In yet another seminal achievement, the UAE presently stands apart as one of the driving forces behind the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, a government-led cargo security effort spearheaded by the Customs and Border Protection division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

• Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba: Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University , Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba's Blog on Bigsight July, 2011 The Jacobs Center at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Photograph taken by Wikimedia user Madcoverboy. As an integral part of his overall diplomatic mission in the United States, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba regularly speaks about a wide variety of subjects related to the U.A.E, including trade relations, history, economy, and foreign relations, to audiences throughout the U.S. Previous speaking engagements include an address to the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council on the contributions made by Joseph E. Robert to U.S.-U.A.E. trade relations. In October 2010, Ambassador Al Otaiba spoke before students at Northwestern University’s prestigious business school, the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. His talk outlined the importance of diversity in his government’s global investment portfolio and covered a wide array of historical, technological, and economic topics, ranging from the economic depression in the in the 1930s to ongoing research and development into renewable energy technology within the U.A.E. Founded in 1908 as the Northwestern University School of Commerce, the Kellogg Graduate School of Management quickly transformed from a part-time evening school to a full-time Master of Business Administration program. The school has held its current name since 1979, when it received a $10 million gift made on behalf of John L. Kellogg. At present, the Kellogg Graduate School of Management offers five degree programs, including M.B.A.s and J.D.-M.B.A.s, as well as a number of non-degree executive education programs. As a testament to the exceptional quality of education offered through the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, the business school has ranked highly with both national and international rating bodies. Ranked number 1 for its Executive M.B.A. program and number 4 for its M.B.A. program among U.S. business schools by Businessweek the Kellogg Graduate School of Management also lists among the top 20 business schools in the world according to the Economist and the Wall Street Journal. Yousef Al Otaiba has served as U.A.E. Ambassador to the U.S. since July 2008. Previously, he acted as the Director of International Affairs for the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. He currently operates as a presenter on important diplomatic, economic, and political issues relevant to international relations with the United Arab Emirates. Ambassador Al Otaiba resides in Washington, D.C.

• Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and the Activities of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates August, 2011 For the past three years, Yousef Al Otaiba has served as the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Ambassador to the United States. Since Ambassador Al Otaiba accepted the position, the Embassy has participated in many notable events. In July 2008, Ambassador Al Otaiba , the successor to Saqr Ghobash, met with President George W. Bush to formally present his qualifications for the job. This moment highlighted the importance of the United States and the United Arab Emirates’ political and business relationship, as the federation is the US’ largest export market in the Middle East, with $11.6 billion in exports in 2010. In February 2009, Ambassador Al Otaiba hosted a reception for the National Governors Association at the Embassy. The first representative from a Middle Eastern nation to sponsor such an event, Ambassador Al Otaiba encouraged better communication between the countries, even on a state level, and highlighted the many economic opportunities emerging for both nations. In December 2009, the Embassy oversaw the US/UAE joint signing of the 123 Agreement, which dictated rules regarding civilian nuclear energy commerce. After President Barack Obama reinforced the agreement following his inauguration, the Embassy issued a statement praising the impact of the law. In 2010, the Embassy’s Trade and Commerce Office, along with representatives from Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Ports Company, visited Seattle, Washington—the major port for trade between the US and UAE—to engage the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle and the US-UAE Business Council in a discussion about mutually beneficial commercial ventures. Beyond politics, the Embassy of the UAE involves itself with community service activities. For nearly a decade, it has coordinated the Healthy Kidney 10K Race with the New York Road Runners. This yearly event raises money to cure kidney disease. In the summer of 2011, the Embassy arranged a 21-day tour of the US for the UAE women’s soccer team, which included attending clinics to engage youths in the sport. Furthermore, Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba travels across the country to promote the US/UAE alliance. During a visit to California in 2009, he explained shared interests to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council. Later that year, while in Illinois, Ambassador Al Otaiba acknowledged the first regular, nonstop flight between Chicago and the Arabian Gulf and thereafter gave a speech at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He also visited Cleveland, Ohio, to advocate on behalf of joint medical ventures. Visit www.uae-embassy.org to learn more about Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and the Embassy’s relationship with the United States.

• An Introduction to US-UAE International Relations (Part 1) , Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba's Blog on Bigsight September, 2011 The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Ambassador to the United States, Yousef Al Otaiba, previously acted as Senior Counselor to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan while also operating as the Director of International Affairs for the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi for seven years. Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba accepted his current appointment in 2008. In this position, he has spearheaded a variety of mutually beneficial agreements between the two nations and continued to work to strengthen international relations. Since its formation in 1971, the UAE has maintained formal diplomatic relations with the United States, a strong ally for the nation. Each country established an embassy in the other nation in order to ensure strong diplomatic ties. Many of the early negotiations focused on continuing oil production in the UAE and bringing major businesses to the region. One of the primary goals of UAE foreign relations has been to address security concerns, as the country is situated in the midst of a tumultuous region with Yemen, Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia nearby. Security is of particular concern for the UAE because of its small size in relation to these neighboring states. From the onset, the UAE has looked to the United States as a partner in avoiding the turmoil of the region. President Jimmy Carter explicitly stated this commitment to the Persian Gulf region in a policy dubbed “The Carter Doctrine.” The first military cooperation between the two countries occurred during the Iran-Iraq War in the mid-1980s. The US and the UAE would once again join forces to defend Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion in the early 1990s. public domain An Introduction to US-UAE International Relations (Part 2)

• UAE Shows Support for United States, Education , His Excellency Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba's Blog on Bigsight October, 2011 The United Arab Emirates and United States of America have a history of fellowship and solidarity, thanks in large part to the work of dignitaries such as Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba. When word reached the UAE of the tornado that wreaked havoc across Joplin, Missouri, causing damage to Joplin High School and much of the area’s school district, Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and other officials reached out to offer assistance. In an effort to help Joplin residents and government officials as they rebuild their city, the UAE Embassy, located in Washington, D.C., pledged a generous donation to Joplin Public Schools. Officials applied the resources toward the purchase of state-of-the-art laptops that will allow Joplin High students to attend virtual classes while the city repairs their school. The City of Joplin will supplement this investment in technology with more traditional textbooks and other materials designed to facilitate learning. With these adjustments, the students have a means of both learning and communicating with one another while Joplin High School, the only high school in the area, undergoes repairs. Using the laptops’ connectivity features, the faculty will transmit curricula to all students regardless of their physical locations, ensuring that synchronous learning can continue. The UAE’s efforts resulted in the continuation of educational opportunities for Joplin’s young people, as well as a stronger relationship between the UAE and Joplin, Missouri.

• Business and Trade in the UAE, Yousef Al Otaiba November, 2011 One of the fastest-growing economies in the Middle East and beyond, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) draws upon a lengthy history of trade and a confluence of several world cultures. Situated in the geographic center of three continents, the UAE and the Middle East has played an integral role in commerce between Europe and the Far East since the days of Marco Polo and the spice trade. Since then, the UAE has continued to build on its tradition of commerce and trade, growing into one of the most dynamic, open economies in the world. Furthermore, as a result of the work of foreign dignitaries such as UAE Ambassador to the United States Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE has established itself as a major import partner of some of the world’s largest economies. Consistently recognized for its fertile business climate, the UAE earned a spot on A. T. Kearney’s list of top 20 places for global service businesses. In the same vein, the World Economic Forum ranks the UAE among the 30 best-networked countries, ahead of all other Arab nations and countries such as India, Italy, Spain, and Turkey. The UAE also takes pride in its stand against systemic corruption, evidenced by its positive rankings from both Transparency International and the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators. Other factors contributing to the strong business climate of the UAE include no income or corporate taxes, competitive labor costs, a stable currency pegged to the US dollar, minimal import duties, and no restrictions on capital repatriation of profit transfer. If a corporation wishes to conduct business freely in all seven Emirates, a UAE national must own at least 51 percent of the business. Generally considered the quickest and easiest way to commence business operations in the UAE, joint partnerships require a special license and must adhere to the conditions of the host Emirate. The UAE also plays host to a number of Free Trade Zones (FTZs), which represent an ideal opportunity for foreign investors and business owners to establish a presence in the UAE. In addition to enjoying complete foreign ownership of the enterprise and exemptions from import and export taxes, businesses operating in FTZs receive total repatriation of profits and capital, no personal income taxes, no corporate taxes for 15 years, and assistance with the recruitment of labor. Today, more than 20,000 companies maintain operations in the 21 FTZs across the UAE. However, there are a number of situations where a business might not want to establish itself in a FTZ. If a company practices a regulated profession or requires a significant amount of physical space, it might be better served by entering into a joint partnership with a UAE national. If a corporation wishes to access several markets within the UAE, a joint partnership allows it to conduct business in any of the seven Emirates, while a FTZ places certain restrictions on inter-Emirate commerce. Whether through a joint partnership or FTZ, businesses in many industries have experienced success in the UAE, including professional services, defense and aerospace, energy, construction services, and high-end hotel brands.

• Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, By Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba November, 2011 Since 2008, Yousef Al Otaiba has served as the United Arab Emirates’ Ambassador to the United States, working to promote the cultural and economic exchange between the two countries. He also established the Oasis Foundation of Washington, DC, an organization that offers charitable contributions to programs and groups that promote ties between the U.S. and UAE and seek to enhance educational initiatives. Among these organizations is The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy (BBFFL). First Lady Barbara Bush created the BBFFL in 1989 in order to promote family literacy programs across the country. Its goal was—and still is—to provide funds for schools, homeless shelters, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to develop activities that teach families the value of togetherness and that enhance their reading, writing, and communication skills. The group issued $500,000 in grants to 11 organizations its first year of operation, after receiving requests from schools, libraries and churches from across the country. The BBFFL later expanded to include state-specific programs. Starting in 1996 with the Maine Family Literacy Initiative, it soon expanded into Texas, Florida, and Maryland, and these initiatives—relying heavily on contributions from state residents—sponsor numerous programs for their respective communities. Over the past 16 years, the BBFFL has also made A Celebration of Reading an annual tradition. Held in Houston and Dallas, Texas, as well as Maryland and Florida, these fundraisers support both the BBFFL and its state initiatives. Since its founding, the BBFFL has donated nearly $40 million to 850 programs across the country, and receives the support of many other organizations. The Oasis Foundation sponsored 2010’s Barbara Bush Foundation Maryland Celebration of Reading. This event, held at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, garnered $1.1 million for BBFFL’s Maryland initiative.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba's Links