As the second largest Arab economy- with a burgeoning regional role in the Gulf, the Red Sea and North Africa- the United Arab Emirates is facing a range of domestic and regional challenges, but also opportunities, in light of COVID-19 and the drop in global oil prices. Furthermore, the rise in great power competition, particularly the rising role of Russia and China in the Middle East, makes an examination of US – UAE relations that much more timely and important.
To discuss these important issues and more, the Middle East Institute is glad to welcome H.E. Dr. Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Please join us for this timely discussion moderated by MEI President Paul Salem.
This event is the second in a MEI series of one-on-one conversations with leading figures in foreign policy from the United States and MENA region. For more information and upcoming events in this series, please subscribe to our event invitations.
Biography: H.E. Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash
His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash is recognized as one of the main public voices of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government. Although he first attracted international attention in 2006 when as chairman of the National Elections Committee he oversaw the UAE’s first elections, he has long enjoyed a multifaceted prominence in his own nation.
He served as professor of political science at UAE National University, achieving a public reputation as a respected intellectual and proponent of greater political participation for the UAE. In 2006, he was appointed minister of state for federal national council affairs (FNC). Two years later, he was named minister of state for foreign affairs.
As chair of the National Elections Committee, Dr. Gargash created an information technology team that established the first e-voting system in the Middle East, to carry out the initial election for seats in the FNC. The election signaled that the UAE had joined other Gulf Arab countries in introducing the electoral process to its political system, and garnered global respect for Dr. Gargash.
Dr. Gargash continues to help shape the UAE’s political and economic future by serving as chair of several government entities including the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, and the Boards of Trustees of the Dubai School of Government and the Al Owais Cultural Foundation.
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