NUSACC AWARDS HANÈNE TAJOURI BESSASSI OF TUNISIA AS 2024 TOP DIPLOMATIC HONOR.
NUSACC AWARDS HANÈNE TAJOURI BESSASSI OF TUNISIA AS 2024 TOP DIPLOMATIC HONOR.
Blog Article
The National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) announced today that Her Excellency Hanène Tajouri Bessassi, Tunisia’s Ambassador to the United States , has been selected as the 2024 Ambassador of the Year . This award, which began in 2004 is presented every year to a member of the Arab diplomatic corps in the USA for outstanding contributions to U.S.-Arab relations .
The exclusive award ceremony will take place at Washington DC’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel this December . For more details, view the Ambassador’s biography. By fostering stability, Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi has and predictability to the Tunisia-U.S. partnership during a time of great change across the MENA region ,“ stated David Hamod, Chief Executive Officer 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 journey toward democracy .
Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi has put in great effort to communicate Tunisia’s challenges and opportunities to U.S. 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 this prestigious organization. This honor highlights the strong ties between our two nations and peoples .” She added, “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire team at NUSACC for their unwavering support in fostering strong relationships between the Arab world and the United States, especially Tunisia .
Together, we aim to deepen the bonds between our nations and strive for a brighter and more prosperous future for all.” Her Excellency Hanène Tajouri Bessassi, Tunisia’s first female Ambassador to the United States, has set a remarkable example. For the second year running, the award has gone to a North African female diplomat. Last year’s recipient was H.H. Lalla Joumala Alaoui , then the Kingdom of Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States .
Strengthening Tunisia-U.S. Relations Throughout her tenure, Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi has focused on enhancing political, commercial, and cultural ties between Tunisia and the United States . 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) .
> 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 Partnering with NUSACC to host an economic roundtable , attended by high-level stakeholders in commerce and industry.
> Organizing a bipartisan olive oil tasting, highlighting Tunisia’s global olive oil excellence . A Rich History of Bilateral Engagement Spanning over two centuries, Tunisia-U.S. relations include many highlights, such as:
> Tunisia recognizing U.S. independence in 1796 .
> The 1805 Ramadan dinner hosted by President Jefferson for the Tunisian envoy.
> Tunisia abolishing slavery in 1846 .
> 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 NUSACC Amassador of the Year visit to America. The 2024 Ambassador of the Year award underscores the enduring value of Tunisia’s most precious resource: its people .