“When the United States and the U.A.E. form commercial partnerships, they are a force for good globally.” – Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the President for Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs and the Senior Advisor for African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State
The U.S.–U.A.E. Business Council convened several hundred senior government and private-sector leaders for its annual “Back to Business” receptions in Abu Dhabi on September 14 and Dubai on September 15, 2026. Marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, these special receptions offered members and partners an opportunity to reconnect, strengthen relationships, and celebrate the enduring partnership between the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
Taking place just days after the 25th anniversary of September 11, both evenings also provided an occasion to remember those lost and honor the courage of first responders. The programs combined solemn reflection with American barbecue and visual displays highlighting milestones in American history, innovation, and ingenuity.
Held on Monday evening, September 14, at the Rosewood Hotel in Abu Dhabi, the first reception celebrated American independence and the close ties connecting the United States and the U.A.E.
This reception included remarks from Dr. Shannon Dolan, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Professor Adam Ramey, Associate Dean of Social Science for Curricular Affairs and Associate Professor of Political Science at NYU Abu Dhabi.
Key takeaways from Dr. Dolan and Professor Ramey’s remarks included:
U.S.–U.A.E. friendship, common values, and shared opportunity.
- Dr. Dolan remarked on the importance of the U.S.–U.A.E. partnership and the two countries’ joint work to advance business opportunities.
- Professor Ramey invoked E Pluribus Unum— “out of many, one”—as an expression of America’s ability to unite communities, drawing a parallel with the U.A.E.’s own experience of building unity and shared identity.
- Dr. Dolan underscored commercial diplomacy in the U.A.E. as an important U.S. priority, recognizing the country’s vibrant bilateral business community. And, in that regard she highlighted the arrival of new senior U.S. commercial officers at the mission in Abu Dhabi and in Dubai.
America at 250: resilience, opportunity, and shared responsibility.
- Dr. Dolan highlighted the 250th anniversary as an important milestone, offering an opportunity to celebrate what the United States has achieved while looking ahead to its bright future.
- Professor Ramey described America’s founding institutions as a framework for accommodating differences, protecting individual rights, and building a shared identity around the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The celebration continued on Tuesday evening, September 15, at the Ritz-Carlton, DIFC in Dubai, where leaders gathered to renew business connections and consider the next chapter of U.S.–U.A.E. cooperation.
In addition to remarks from Dr. Shannon Dolan and Professor Ramey, Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the President for Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs and the Senior Advisor for African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Consul General Robert Raines provided remarks.
Key takeaways from this reception included:
U.S.–U.A.E. partnership as a driver of global prosperity
- Dr. Dolan reinforced the importance of bilateral cooperation in advancing shared interests and reaffirmed commercial diplomacy as an important U.S. priority
- Senior Advisor Boulos called on American companies to work alongside Emirati businesses as they expand internationally, particularly in Africa, combining American technology and expertise with Emirati capital and regional experience.
Turning bilateral momentum into business results
- Senior Advisor Boulos described the two countries as close commercial and security partners, emphasizing the importance of stability to continued commercial success.
- Senior Advisor Boulos highlighted the ten-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework and more than $200 billion in new commercial deals announced in 2025, pointing to opportunities across artificial intelligence, energy, aviation, manufacturing, and critical minerals.
- Dr. Dolan recognized the vibrancy of the U.S.–U.A.E. business community and the strengthening of bilateral ties in recent months, urging participants to make the most of emerging opportunities.
- Senior Advisor Boulos concluded with a call to translate cooperation into tangible benefits: “Together, we can turn peace into projects, projects into jobs, and jobs into lasting prosperity for everyone.”
During both receptions, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright
- Emphasized the U.S. and U.A.E’’s shared ambition to build, pursue big ideas, and create opportunity through lasting relationships.
- Highlighted the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s work with more than 300 member companies to build connections, encourage investment, and advance commercial opportunities benefiting people in both countries.
- Outlined the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s key programming schedule for the coming months including events during GISEC, the UN General Assembly, Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit, ADIPEC, Dubai Future Finance Week, GITEX, and Abu Dhabi Finance Week. He also highlighted a U.S. Department of Commerce-certified infrastructure trade mission to the U.A.E.
To learn more about the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s programming, please contact Mr. Adam Karadsheh at akaradsheh@usuaebusiness.