Profile: The UAE's Hend Al Otaiba steps on to the world stage
The UAE has announced its new ambassador to France, adding another woman to its roster of diplomats.
Hend Al Otaiba will start in August, assuming the role at a time of historically strong relations between Abu Dhabi and Paris, and with a mandate to expand and deepen ties.
Several women now lead the UAE’s missions. Hessa Al Otaiba is UAE ambassador to the Netherlands; Hafsa Al Olama, the UAE ambassador to Germany; and Lana Nusseibeh is the UAE’s first female permanent representative to the UN. Among the other female envoys are the UAE's Ambassador to Denmark Fatema Al Mazrouei; the UAE Ambassador to Finland Noora Juma; and the UAE Ambassador to Montenegro Nabila Al Shamsi.
The UAE’s previous envoy to France, Ali Al-Ahmad, held the role for two years, and helped pave the way to a 10-year UAE-France strategic partnership, which was adopted in June 2020.
The two countries have also been partners on numerous cultural projects. In April, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs unveiled his country’s pavilion at the Dubai World Expo, which highlights France's gastronomic and cultural assets as well as its innovations.
A master of communications
Ms Al Otaiba has worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation since 2017. In her most recent role, she created and led the government body’s first strategic communications department, which promotes the country’s foreign policies and interests through the international media and the UAE’s diplomatic missions.
During her tenure at the ministry, Ms Al Otaiba also advised Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, on international diplomacy until 2019.
A career public servant, Ms Al Otaiba formerly worked as director of communications at Abu Dhabi Media, and also managed the public relations for cultural programmes at Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. During her time there, she played a leading role in promoting the emirate’s cultural institutions, working in particular alongside French partners to bring the Louvre art gallery to the capital.
A fluent French speaker, who attended a French school in the UAE for many years, Ms Al Otaiba received her master’s degrees from the Paris Sorbonne Abu Dhabi and the UAE National Defence College. She is also a board member of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and a fellow of the Middle East Public Relations Association.
Her father, Mana Al Otaiba, is a former UAE minister of petroleum and mineral resources, and her brother Yousef Al Otaiba is the current UAE ambassador to the US.
France's pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai - in pictures
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The French pavilion at the Dubai World Expo has been completed with a formal ceremony at the site on Thursday. Courtesy: France Pavilio -
Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State and managing director for the Dubai World Expo, Franck Riester, French Minister for Foreign trade and Erik Linquier, commissioner general for France at Expo 2020 Dubai at the official ceremony to mark the completion of the French pavilion at the Dubai World Expo. Courtesy: France Pavilion -
The French pavilion at the Dubai World Expo has been completed with a formal ceremony at the site on Thursday. Courtesy: France Pavilion -
An acacia tree, local to the region, is planted to symbolise the completion of the French pavilion at the Dubai World Expo site. Courtesy: France Pavilion -
The French pavilion at the Dubai World Expo has been completed with a formal ceremony at the site on Thursday. Courtesy: France Pavilion -
A render of the France pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai.
