UAE President's official visit to Washington set to begin

President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is set to begin his official visit to the United States on Monday, for meetings with US President Biden, VP Harris, and other senior officials.

The visit is the first of its kind since the President assumed office in 2022. The meetings between the UAE President and his counterpart are expected to surround enhancing their economic partnership, as well as discussing matters related to international security.

The UAE Ambassador to the US, Yousef al-Otaiba, and US Ambassador to the UAE, Martina Strong, issued a joint statement regarding the visit.

“’In close partnership, we are working to advance multilateral diplomatic solutions and provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance in Gaza and Sudan. Our ongoing defense and counterterrorism cooperation makes our countries and the world more secure. U.S. and UAE troops have stood shoulder to shoulder in six conflicts over the last 30 years; their valor and devotion to duty have forged the strongest of bonds between our countries,” the ambassadors said.

They added, ‘’By continuing to partner together, exploring new opportunities and addressing shared challenges head-on, we are keeping our eyes firmly fixed on a better vision for the region and for the next 50 years of our cooperation.”

"When UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visits Washington next week for a White House meeting with President Joe Biden, they will highlight a half-century trajectory of UAE-U.S. partnerships that have delivered prosperity, security, and scientific progress in both our countries," the diplomats said. 

The UAE and United States have shared close ties since establishing diplomatic relations in 1972. Since then, bilateral trade and collaborative efforts have been exchanged, now exceeding USD 30 billion.

More than 1,500 American companies currently operate in the UAE, while over 50,000 American reside in the country.