13 November 2023 at 1:00 PM GST

The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council and Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) hosted over 300 senior business and government leaders at the Museum of the Future on Monday, November 13th for a reception on the margins of the biennial Dubai Airshow. This reception featured keynote remarks from Her Excellency Sarah Bint Yousif al Amiri, U.A.E. Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, and Chairwoman of the U.A.E. Space Agency. Martina Strong, U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E., also addressed the audience.

U.S. Ambassador Martina Strong cited the large number of American companies at the Airshow is as a testament to the continued strength of the U.S.-U.A.E. bilateral defense, security, and commercial relationship. She congratulated the U.S. aerospace sector for the strong showing at the Air Show and the continued role it plays in strengthening ties between the two countries. The U.S. Pavilion at the Airshow is the largest ever, with some 140 U.S. companies. Ambassador Strong reaffirmed her commitment to advocate for American businesses in the U.A.E., and stated that the Dubai Airshow is a perfect backdrop for establishing and deepening U.S.-U.A.E. business partnerships. She emphasized the close alignment between the U.S. and the U.A.E. on broad policy objectives, which is based on shared ideals of regional peace, stability, and prosperity. She echoed that “the future is bright and prosperous for both of our countries.”

In her keynote address to the audience, Her Excellency Sarah Bint Yousif al Amiri lauded the U.S.-U.A.E. bilateral science and technology relationship, emphasizing the need to grow the space sector through commercial relationships. Her Excellency highlighted the collaboration with U.S. academic institutions, government agencies, and corporations that helped enable the U.A.E.’s successful Mars Mission program, and cited this as a model for partnership between American and Emirati institution in other key sectors. She stressed the importance of knowledge transfer and co-development of intellectual property and investing in the next generation of space scientists. She provided details on upcoming U.A.E. space missions to the Moon and the Asteroid Belt and emphasized the critical importance of cooperation with the United States. She concluded her remarks with a message to business leaders and innovators that the U.A.E. is committed to building a cutting-edge space ecosystem by fostering a business-friendly environment and providing investment to innovative ideas. She urged the United States to “come and work with the Emirates as you have always done, as we continue to build a global reach and fund innovation.”

The evening concluded with a raffle draw for two business class tickets from both Emirates Airline and United Airlines, who announced a commercial code-share agreement in 2022. United Airlines launched a nonstop daily service between its New York/Newark hub and Dubai International Airport in March 2023. United is the only U.S. airline to offer non-stop flights between Dubai and the United States. Will Löfberg, Vice President – International and Environmental Affairs, and Olwin Lobo, Regional Manager – Middle East, represented Emirates and United in presenting the winners of the raffle draw with the complimentary business class tickets.

The Dubai Airshow, one of the largest defense and aerospace trade shows in the world, is an opportunity for leading companies from the aerospace and defense, commercial aviation, and related industries to join together every two years to conclude deals and strengthen relationships. Emirates opened the Dubai Airshow with a significant order for 95 additional wide-body aircraft, taking its total order book to 295 aircraft. Already the world’s biggest operator of wide-body passenger aircraft, Emirates has committed to additional Boeing 777-9s, 777-8s, and 787s, worth $52 billion, to power its growth plans, maintain a modern efficient fleet, and deliver the best flying experience to its customers. This deal underscores the close aerospace relationship between the U.S. and U.A.E. and it will result in thousands of high paying new manufacturing jobs in the United States.

For questions about this event or the Business Council’s work in the aerospace and defense sector, please contact Amira Siddiqi at asiddiqi@usuaebusiness.org.