UAE Embassy in Washington, DC

08/28/2026

Today, we begin a month-long celebration of Emirati Women's Day – a historic first, announced by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation and a lifelong champion of Emirati women's empowerment – extending the annual occasion into a full month of recognition and reflection running through September 28, under the theme "We Emerge Stronger and Better."

To kick things off, UAE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba reflects on what this day means to him: as a diplomat proud to represent a nation where women's leadership in science, medicine, business and diplomacy is woven into the national story – and as a father whose children are growing up in that culture.

Stay with us throughout the month as we celebrate the Emirati women – here in the United States and around the world – who are expanding what is possible for the generation that follows. Happy ! https://uaeinusa.co/WomenUAE

08/27/2026

Emirati women have long been the guardians of their nation's heritage. Nadia Al Shamsi is one of them, weaving every pattern from memory to keep Sadu alive, a craft recognized by UNESCO in 2025, one thread at a time.

At her loom in Abu Dhabi, Al Shamsi works without patterns, sketches or measurements, every geometric motif committed to memory. There are no machines, no printed designs, just generations of knowledge passed from mother to daughter.

Read more about the Emiratis protecting the nation's cultural heritage: https://uaeinusa.co/4fsqcQX

Meet the people holding onto the crafts, rituals and memories that risk being lost to a fast-changing nation

08/26/2026

UAE Commercial Attaché to the US Jawaher AlMheiri led a UAE Embassy Trade and Investment Office delegation to Philadelphia this week in partnership with the US-UAE Business Council, strengthening ties with Pennsylvania's state government and identifying new investment opportunities across life sciences and health tech.

The visit included a tour of Iovance Biotherapeutics and a life science roundtable to identify concrete areas for collaboration. The UAE-PA share a $550 million annual trade relationship that supports 3,200 jobs in the state.

"We have seen real momentum in the UAE-Pennsylvania relationship. With a world-class life sciences ecosystem and pro-business policies, the UAE is an ideal partner for Pennsylvania medical innovators looking to scale globally,” said AlMheiri. https://uaeinusa.co/4wV21jA

08/26/2026

Disney has chosen Abu Dhabi for its next theme park — designed to be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati. Coming to Yas Island in collaboration with Miral Group and the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, it will be Disney's first theme park in the Middle East and the latest milestone in the partnership.

With one-third of the world within a four-hour flight, Abu Dhabi is a city where desert, mangrove and oasis meet — and where heritage meets innovation. It is this unique combination of strategic position, natural landscape and cultural vision that made Abu Dhabi the choice for Disney's next great destination. https://uaeinusa.co/45CV2R6

08/25/2026

Ahead of 2026, we reflect on what inclusion looks like when it moves from aspiration to action.

"Our leadership has long placed women at the center of national progress, whether in space exploration, renewable energy, or frontier sciences. That vision is clear in the UAE's knowledge-based economy, where women are expected to contribute as innovators, scientists and decision-makers," says Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute.

At TII, 157 Emirati women are among 355+ scientists and engineers advancing AI, robotics and quantum technologies. The UAE is showing that when women lead in AI, the nation is stronger for it. Read Dr. Aaraj's piece from last :

08/20/2026

🍽️🗺️ Google's tech is helping power food discovery in Dubai. Through a partnership with Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, residents and visitors can now explore the diverse restaurants and cafés that define the city's culinary scene — from hidden neighborhood spots to well-known favorites — all through Google Maps.

See the partnership in action with Map Your Dubai↓

08/19/2026

The UAE has ranked first in the Arab world in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index. Guided by the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, the nation is shaping the future of energy through renewable power, low-carbon technologies and AI-driven innovation, proving that economic prosperity and environmental progress can go hand in hand.

That progress is also creating opportunities for deeper US-UAE energy cooperation, with companies including ADNOC, Masdar and XRG investing and partnering with US companies to advance energy innovation and strengthen the US-UAE economic partnership.

The United Arab Emirates has ranked first among Arab countries in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), underscoring the success of the nation’s proactive, whole-of-society, and integrated government approach to climate action, ecosystem vitality, and environmental health.The 2026 EPI ev...

08/14/2026

🎾 Mubadala returned as title sponsor of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open — DC's premier professional tennis tournament.

US officials, business leaders and community partners joined the Embassy courtside to celebrate the UAE-US relationship over world-class tennis.

A partnership on the court that mirrors a deeper one off it 🇦🇪🇺🇸

08/13/2026

🏞️ The UAE has a new UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah becomes the country's first natural designation, joining Al Ain and the Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah as the UAE's three UNESCO-recognized sites.

Home to the world's largest exposed ophiolite complex and over 1,000 species including the wild Arabian tahr and caracal, Wadi Wurayah is a living record of the UAE's natural heritage. Its inscription is a recognition of the country's commitment to conservation and a milestone for the region on the world stage. https://uaeinusa.co/4vZjVRJ

08/12/2026

As the US and UAE deepen cooperation in AI, developing the next generation of talent is critical to sustaining innovation.

The UAE's Shabab AI initiative equips young Emiratis with practical skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and robotics through hands-on training with government and industry partners.

Aligned with the UAE's National AI Strategy 2031, the program is helping build the workforce that will support future US-UAE technology collaboration.

Read more: https://uaeinusa.co/4w4VeU7

The Abu Dhabi Youth Council has officially launched the “Shabab AI” initiative during the “Make it in the Emirates 2026” forum, marking a major step towards equipping Emirati youth with practical expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and robotics to support the UAE’s industri...