Washington, D.C.— The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council held a luncheon and discussion featuring keynote remarks by Ambassador Stephen A. Seche, United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Arabian Gulf in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, on Thursday, December 1st in Washington D.C. Senior government officials and business executives joined Ambassador Seche for a luncheon and discussion on the current state of Arabian Gulf affairs and United States foreign policy toward the region.

Following welcome remarks from Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, Ambassador Seche outlined U.S. policy in the Gulf and provided attendees with a regional context to the social, economic, and political effects of the “Arab Awakening”.  Ambassador Seche discussed the leadership role assumed by the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) in the midst of the regional turbulence; citing their involvement in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-brokered transition agreement in Yemen and their presence on the ground in Libya during the NATO-led operations this past summer.

In his remarks, Ambassador Seche underscored the strategic importance of the U.A.E. as a “full partner” to the U.S. in the global efforts to work for resolution to conflict in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region and highlighted the U.A.E. as one of the strongest, most resilient governments in the Middle East.  Furthermore, Seche praised the multidimensional partnership that exists between the U.S. and the U.A.E. and noted the U.S. government’s efforts to promote the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

In his comments on the regional state of affairs, Ambassador Seche applauded the coordinated efforts by the GCC to provide a coherent and coordinated advocacy for regional conflict resolution.

Following Ambassador Seche’s formal remarks, the floor was opened for questions from the government officials and business executives in attendance at the lunch.  Topics discussed during the question and answer session included: regional security dynamics, U.S foreign policy in the Middle East and its implications for business, and the prospects for the aftermath of the Arab Awakening.  Guests asked Ambassador Seche a wide array of questions focused on topics across the Middle East region.

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