Ahmed bin Saeed attends the 25th Rings of Friendship Gala & Awards Night
- Event celebrates the strong ties between the UAE and the USA

Ahmed bin Saeed: “With shared interests and common values, the UAE and the USA have established a strong partnership that has yielded significant positive outcomes in diverse sectors and spheres of life.”

- “Dubai’s ability to bridge global markets and bring together enterprise, talent and expertise from around the world has helped foster cooperation between the UAE and the USA.”

- Sean Murphy, Chargé d’Affaires, United States Embassy, Abu Dhabi: “I’m inspired by the over 1,500 American companies that are established in the UAE with a growing number setting up regional operations and innovation centres here.”

- AmCham Awards 2022 for Innovation, Sustainability and SME Award of Merit presented at the event

- Sammy Bousaba, President, AmCham Dubai: “The American business community deeply appreciates the lengths to which Dubai, under the guidance of Mohammed bin Rashid, has made conditions conducive to a resurgent economy and the prospect of prosperity for all.”

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, today attended the 25th Rings of Friendship Gala & Awards Night, which celebrates the strong bonds linking the UAE and the United States of America (USA).  

The event, attended by top diplomats and regional directors of leading American companies, marks the presentation of the ‘Rings of Friendship’ 25 years ago by the American community to the people of the UAE as a symbol of the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries. The ‘Rings of Friendship’, which expresses gratitude to the UAE leadership for creating a welcoming environment for American businesses, have been installed in a monument in Dubai’s Creek Park. The award ceremony was held at an event overlooking the monument in the Creek Park.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “With shared interests and common values, the UAE and the USA have established a strong partnership that has yielded significant positive outcomes in diverse sectors and spheres of life. Dubai has emerged as a preferred regional base for several leading American multinationals seeking to tap opportunities in fast-growing emerging markets in the region and beyond. The emirate’s ability to bridge global markets and bring together enterprise, talent and expertise from around the world, driven by the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has helped foster cooperation between the UAE and the USA to advance innovation and value creation. The relationship continues to evolve into new high-value sectors, enabling the two countries to work together to advance economic prosperity, address pressing global challenges and shape a bright new future for the world.”

Welcoming the attendees, Sean Murphy, Chargé d’Affaires, United States Embassy Abu Dhabi, said: “Thank you, Your Highness, for being here this evening as we celebrate the friendship between our countries and the vital role that American companies play as partners in the USA – UAE relationship. I’m inspired by the over 1,500 American companies that are established in the UAE with a growing number setting up regional operations and innovation centres here. Each day, American companies, the companies in this room, play perhaps the most critical role in strengthening the USA – UAE relationship as our two countries join forces in pursuing the future.” Meghan Gregonis, United States Consul General in Dubai, also attended the ceremony.

Sammy Bousaba, President, AmCham Dubai, remarked: “The American business community, understands and deeply appreciates the lengths to which Dubai, under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has made conditions conducive to a resurgent economy and the prospect of prosperity for all.”

Emphasising the strength of the commercial relationship between the two countries, Bousaba pointed out that the UAE enjoys the enviable position of being America’s biggest export market in the entire Middle East and North Africa region. “That in itself illustrates the depth of the cooperation and impressive interaction between our nations,” he added.

He also noted: “The purpose of coming together this evening is to reaffirm the commitment of the many American businesses that call the UAE home.  To highlight a few, FedEx, GE, GM, Cigna, Accenture, American Hospital, MSD, SGP, VISA, McDermott, Microsoft, 3M, Cisco, P&G, PepsiCo, Boeing, Viatris, Citi, Merck and Honeywell. Our member organisations have long-standing and deep commitments to the UAE and know well that the important thing about friendship is that the longer it lasts, the stronger it grows.”   

Following the reception, the AmCham Awards 2022 for Innovation, Sustainability and SME Award of Merit were presented.

Bousaba said: “The UAE has always been a front-runner in spearheading change and building a tolerant, modern society. The country is committed to cementing its role on climate change in the region and is leveraging this key economic opportunity to drive development, growth, and new jobs. The AmCham Dubai Sustainability and Innovation Awards 2022 reflect the leadership’s vision for the count. The Sustainability and Innovation Awards honour those who have made sustainability an integral part of their business practice. “