(Washington, D.C.) — Senior officials and business executives convened at the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C. for the Global Infrastructure Conference on Thursday. The conference, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, welcomed executives from over 90 American companies and senior government officials from Columbia, India, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Robert Hormats, Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, provided welcoming remarks in the State Department’s Marshall Center Auditorium to kick off the day-long event. Following Hormats’ comments, Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides addressed the audience and introduced Secretary Clinton for her keynote speech.
In her remarks, Secretary Clinton emphasized the importance of infrastructure to the future growth of the world economy and underscored the United States’ commitment to working with countries like the United Arab Emirates and others to develop innovative ideas and partnerships to provide economic stimulus.
“It’s a great challenge as well as a great opportunity to build a cleaner, healthier, more prosperous future together, and we are excited by what it can mean in improving the quality of life and the opportunities for hundreds of millions of people throughout the world,” said Secretary Clinton.
Industry-specific breakout sessions followed Secretary Clinton’s speech including United Arab Emirates: Transportation Opportunities in the U.A.E. and United Arab Emirates: Water and Electricity Opportunities in the U.A.E. Both sessions were moderated by Susan Kurland, Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, U.S. Department of Transportation. The United Arab Emirates: Transportation Opportunities in the U.A.E. panel was anchored by His Excellency Dr. Nasser Saif Al Mansoori, the new chief executive officer of Etihad Rail. The United Arab Emirates: Water and Electricity Opportunities in the U.A.E. panel was anchored by His Excellency Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority. Members of the senior Emirati delegation present at the Global Infrastructure Conference included:
- His Excellency Dr. Nasser Saif Al Mansoori, CEO, Etihad Rail
- His Excellency Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA)
- His Excellency Abdulaziz Al Hemaidi, Managing Director, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Company (ADWEC)
- Dr. Hazem Mubarak, Executive Director of Projects, Etihad Rail
- Saud Hassan Al Nowais, Commercial Counselor, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, D.C.
- Khaled Salmeen, Executive Vice President-Industrial Zones, Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC)
- Rashid Al Shamsi, Legal Advisor, ADWEA
- Khalifa Al Ghafli, Policy Analyst, ADWEA
In addition to the Global Infrastructure Conference, senior Emirati corporate officials from Dubai and the Northern Emirates will be in the country next week for a trade mission across the United States organized by the Commercial Service at the U.S. Consulate in Dubai, in partnership with the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce and the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, and supported by the Trade & Commercial Office at the U.A.E. Embassy in Washington, D.C.
