The National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) recently revealed that Tunisia’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Hanène Tajouri Bessassi, has been selected as the Ambassador of the Year for 2024. This award, which began in 2004 is given annually to a member of the Arab diplomatic corps in the USA for their significant role in U.S.-Arab commercial partnerships.

The exclusive award ceremony will be held at Washington DC’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel this December . Click here to see the Ambassador’s biography “Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi has helped to bring a measure of stability and predictability to the Tunisia-U.S. partnership during a time of great change across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region,“ noted David Hamod, President & CEO of the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce. “Tunisia, being the cradle of the 2010 Arab Spring, has encountered significant obstacles in its journey toward democracy .

Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi has worked tirelessly to communicate Tunisia’s challenges and opportunities to American policymakers both in Washington DC and beyond , thereby maintaining a balanced partnership between Tunisia and the U.S..” Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi expressed her gratitude, stating , “Being recognized as the Ambassador of the Year for 2024 by this prestigious organization. This honor highlights the strong ties between Tunisia and the United States.” She further stated , “My sincerest thanks go 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 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.” 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. The 2023 honoree was H.H. Lalla Joumala Alaoui , then the Kingdom of Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States .

Building NUSACC AOY Bridges Between Tunisia and the USA Throughout her tenure, to bolstering multifaceted relations between Tunisia and the United States . Examples of her recent efforts include:

> Celebrating the establishment 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.

> Leading the creation of 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 recognizing U.S. independence in 1796 .

> 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 reaffirms the lasting importance of the Tunisia-U.S. relationship.