U.S. – ARAB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HONORS TUNISIA’S HANÈNE TAJOURI BESSASSI NAMED 2024 AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR.
U.S. – ARAB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HONORS TUNISIA’S HANÈNE TAJOURI BESSASSI NAMED 2024 AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR.
Blog Article
NUSACC, the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce announced today that Tunisia’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Hanène Tajouri Bessassi, has been selected as the Ambassador of the Year for 2024. Initiated in 2004, this award is given annually to an ambassador from the Arab diplomatic corps in the USA for outstanding contributions to U.S.-Arab relations .
The invitation-only ceremony will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in downtown Washington DC this December . Click here to see the Ambassador’s biography By fostering stability, Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi has and predictability to the Tunisia-U.S. partnership in a period marked by substantial shifts across the MENA region ,“ noted David Hamod, President & CEO of the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce. “As the birthplace of the 2010 Arab Spring , the nation has faced extraordinary challenges in its democratic development.
Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi has put in great effort to explain these challenges and opportunities to American policymakers both in Washington DC and beyond , helping to sustain a balanced partnership between Tunisia and the U.S..” In response,
Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi remarked, “Being recognized as the 2024 Ambassador of the Year by NUSACC . Such recognition highlights the strong ties between our two nations and peoples .” She further stated , “My sincerest thanks go to the entire team at NUSACC for their unwavering support in building bridges between the Arab world here and the United States, especially the Republic of Tunisia.
Together, we aim to deepen the bonds between our nations and work toward a brighter and more prosperous future for all.” Her Excellency Hanène Tajouri Bessassi, Tunisia’s first female Ambassador to the United States, has been a trailblazer . For the second year running, NUSACC has recognized a female ambassador from North Africa . The 2023 honoree was H.H. Lalla Joumala Alaoui , Morocco’s former Ambassador to the U.S..
Building Bridges Between Tunisia and the USA Her Excellency Hanène Tajouri Bessassi has dedicated her tenure , Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi has focused on enhancing political, commercial, and cultural ties between both nations. Examples of her recent efforts include:
> Celebrating the establishment of the Congressional Tunisia Caucus, co-chaired by U.S. Representatives David Schweikert (R-AZ) and Betty McCollum (D-MN) .
> Being honored with the Kindness Award by the Washington Educational and Cultural Attaché Association (WECAA) in recognition of her dedication to intercultural cooperation.
> Playing a pivotal role in establishing the Group of Francophone Ambassadors (GAF), which promotes cultural understanding . W Co-hosting an economic summit with NUSACC, bringing together American and Tunisian businesses .
> Organizing a bipartisan olive oil tasting, highlighting Tunisia’s global olive oil excellence . A Rich History of Bilateral Engagement The partnership between Tunisia and the USA dates back centuries , such as:
> Tunisia’s early acknowledgment of America’s independence.
> The 1805 meeting between President Thomas Jefferson and Tunisian Envoy Sidi Slimane Mellimli .
> Tunisia’s groundbreaking abolition of slavery, predating the U.S..
> The United States being the first major power to recognize Tunisia’s sovereignty in 1956 .
> President Bourguiba’s visionary focus on scholarships during his 1961 visit to America. The 2024 Ambassador of the Year award underscores the enduring importance of the Tunisia-U.S. relationship.