The National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) recently revealed that Her Excellency Hanène Tajouri Bessassi, Tunisia’s Ambassador to the United States , is being honored as the 2024 Ambassador of the Year . This award, which began in 2004 is given annually to an ambassador from the Arab diplomatic corps in the United States for outstanding contributions to U.S.-Arab relations .
The exclusive award ceremony will be held at Washington DC’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel this December . Click here to see the Ambassador’s biography By fostering stability, Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi has contributed significantly to the Tunisia-U.S. relationship in a period marked by substantial shifts across the MENA region ,“ noted David Hamod, Chief Executive Officer of the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce. “As the birthplace of the 2010 Arab Spring , has encountered significant obstacles in its journey toward democracy .
Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi has put in great effort to explain these challenges and opportunities to American policymakers within Washington DC and across the nation, helping to sustain a balanced partnership between Tunisia and the U.S..” In response,
Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi remarked, “I am deeply honored to be named the Ambassador of the Year for 2024 by NUSACC . Such recognition highlights the strong ties between Tunisia and the United States.” She further stated , “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire NUSACC team for their steadfast dedication in fostering strong relationships between the Arab world and the United States, with particular emphasis on Tunisia .
Together, we aim to deepen the bonds between our nations and work toward a brighter and more prosperous future for all.” As Tunisia’s inaugural female Ambassador to the U.S., Her Excellency Hanène NUSACC AOY Tajouri Bessassi has been a trailblazer . This marks the second consecutive year , the award has gone to 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 Throughout her tenure, Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi has focused on enhancing political, commercial, and cultural ties between both nations. Examples of her recent efforts include:
> The launch of the Congressional Tunisia Caucus, co-chaired by U.S. Representatives David Schweikert (R-AZ) and Betty McCollum (D-MN) .
> Receiving the Kindness Award from the Washington Educational and Cultural Attaché Association (WECAA) for fostering cultural dialogue .
> Playing a pivotal role in establishing the Group of Francophone Ambassadors (GAF), which promotes cultural understanding . W Co-hosting an economic summit with NUSACC, attended by high-level stakeholders in commerce and industry.
> Organizing a bipartisan olive oil tasting, showcasing Tunisia’s premium olive oil market. 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 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. This year’s accolade underscores the enduring value of Tunisia’s most precious resource: its people .