NUSACC, the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce announced today that Her Excellency Hanène Tajouri Bessassi, Tunisia’s Ambassador to the United States , has been selected as the Ambassador of the Year for 2024. Initiated in 2004, this award is given annually to an ambassador from the Arab diplomatic corps in the USA for their significant role in U.S.-Arab commercial partnerships.
The exclusive award ceremony will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in downtown Washington DC 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 MENA region ,“ noted David Hamod, President & CEO of NUSACC . “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 American policymakers both in Washington DC and beyond , thereby maintaining a balanced partnership between Tunisia and the U.S..” In response,
Ambassador Tajouri Bessassi remarked, “I am deeply honored to be named the 2024 Ambassador of the Year by this prestigious organization. This honor reflects the enduring partnership between Tunisia and the United States.” She added, “My sincerest thanks go to the entire team at NUSACC for their unwavering support in building bridges between the USA and the Arab world , especially Tunisia .
Together, we aim to deepen the bonds between our nations and work toward a future filled with mutual here prosperity for all.” As Tunisia’s inaugural female Ambassador to the U.S., Her Excellency Hanène Tajouri Bessassi has been a trailblazer . For the second year running, the award has gone to a North African female diplomat. Last year’s recipient was Her Highness Lalla Joumala Alaoui, then the Kingdom of Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States .
Strengthening Tunisia-U.S. Relations Throughout her tenure, to bolstering 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 Co-hosting an economic summit with NUSACC, attended by high-level stakeholders in commerce and industry.
> Hosting an olive oil tasting at the U.S. Congress , 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’s early acknowledgment of America’s independence.
> The 1805 meeting between President Thomas Jefferson and Tunisian Envoy Sidi Slimane Mellimli .
> Tunisia abolishing slavery in 1846 .
> America’s prompt diplomatic recognition of independent Tunisia 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.