The National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) recently revealed that Her Excellency Hanène Tajouri Bessassi, Tunisia’s Ambassador to the United States , has been selected as the 2024 Ambassador of the Year . Initiated in 2004, this award is given annually to an ambassador from the Arab diplomatic corps in the United States for their significant role in U.S.-Arab commercial partnerships.
The exclusive award ceremony will be held at Washington DC’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel in December of this year. For more details, view the Ambassador’s biography. By fostering stability, Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi has contributed significantly to the Tunisia-U.S. relationship during a time of great change across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region,“ stated David Hamod, Chief Executive Officer of the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce. “Tunisia, being the cradle of the 2010 Arab Spring, the nation has faced extraordinary challenges in its journey toward democracy .
Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi has put in great effort to explain these challenges and opportunities to U.S. policymakers within Washington DC and across the nation, thereby maintaining the Tunisia-U.S. relationship on an even keel .” Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi expressed her gratitude, stating , “I am deeply honored to be named the Ambassador of the Year for 2024 by NUSACC . This honor 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 steadfast dedication in building bridges between the USA and the Arab world , with particular emphasis on the Republic of Tunisia.
Together, we aim to deepen the bonds between our nations and strive for a future filled with mutual prosperity for all.” As Tunisia’s inaugural female Ambassador to the U.S., Her Excellency Hanène Tajouri Bessassi has been a trailblazer . This marks the second consecutive year , NUSACC has recognized a North African female diplomat. Last year’s recipient was Her Highness 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 , to bolstering multifaceted relations between both nations. Recent accomplishments include:
> The launch of the Congressional Tunisia Caucus, spearheaded by bipartisan leadership in Congress.
> 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), an initiative aimed at promoting francophone culture. W Co-hosting an economic summit with NUSACC, attended by high-level stakeholders in commerce and industry.
> Organizing a bipartisan olive oil tasting, highlighting Tunisia’s global olive oil excellence . Historical Milestones in Tunisia-U.S. Relations Spanning over two centuries, Tunisia-U.S. relations include many highlights, such as:
> Tunisia’s early acknowledgment of America’s independence.
> The 1805 Ramadan dinner hosted by President Jefferson for the Tunisian envoy.
> Tunisia’s groundbreaking abolition of slavery, predating the NUSACC Ambassador U.S..
> America’s prompt diplomatic recognition of independent Tunisia in 1956.
> President Bourguiba’s visionary focus on scholarships during his 1961 visit to America. This year’s accolade underscores the enduring value of Tunisia’s most precious resource: its people .