Kegler Brown Hosts United Arab Emirates Diplomats in Columbus

, Saud H. Al Nowais, Dr. Alsaghira Al Ahbabi
Kegler Brown

Kegler Brown and the Columbus Council on World Affairs have partnered for a lunch with two United Arab Emirates (UAE) diplomats at the offices of Kegler, Brown, Hill + Ritter.

Saud H. Al Nowais, Commercial Counselor, and Dr. Alsaghira Al Ahbabi, Second Secretary for the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington D.C., will be visiting Columbus to learn more about the city’s global business initiatives, economic development opportunities and its global business growth potential. The diplomats are prepared to engage with the city’s business and community leaders and discuss the many aspects of the deepening UAE-US bilateral relationship, the UAE’s approach as an innovative social investor and the country’s emergence on the world stage.

Please join us for lunch with the UAE diplomats on Wednesday, April 24th, starting at 11:30 a.m.

Bios

Saud H. Al Nowais, Commercial Counselor, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington D.C.

Mr. Saud Al Nowais took office in July 2009 and since then has focused on strengthening the bilateral trade relationship between the U.S. and the UAE, assisting both countries in identifying mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities. Mr. Al Nowais operates at all levels of government and business in a continued effort to bring prosperity and growth to both economies and to facilitate the development of commercial relationships between the two nations.

Previously, Mr. Al Nowais held a managerial position at the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi (EAA) in the Economic Department. Mr. Al Nowais worked on energy-related projects and programs, such as oil and gas initiatives, alternative sources of energy and most recently the UAE’s nuclear program. He also worked on environmental and social issues in tandem with industry representatives to affect positive change throughout the country. The Executive Affairs Authority is a government entity that supports the Chairman of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. EAA is responsible for creating policy and for the implementation of special projects in the Emirate.

Mr. Al Nowais is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Strategic Security Studies at the National Defense University - College of International Security Affairs in Washington, D.C. Mr. Al Nowais obtained his bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the American University of Sharjah (AUS). Mr. Al Nowais graduated from the American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS).

Dr. Alsaghira Al Ahbabi, Second Secretary, Political Department, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, D.C. Dr. Alsaghira Al Ahbabi directs the think tanks and NGOs office at the Political Department. Her duties include monitoring, studying, and analyzing current issues and policies that influence the Middle East in general, with a specific focus on the UAE. The balance of her professional experience from 1999 to 2006 included service as an academic advisor, then as the director of training programs in the United States and Canada and later as the director of the academic and training department at the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Al Ahbabi was born and raised in the United Arab Emirates, where she finished her high school education. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Cairo University in Egypt, a Master of Arts in Special Education from California State University in Sacramento, and a Doctorate in Education from George Washington University. She is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi by election of the Chapter at California State University, Sacramento, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and the National Education Association (NEA). She was also awarded a fellowship where she co-taught doctoral courses at the George Washington University from 2006-2007.

Venue

The event will take place at Kegler, Brown, Hill + Ritter, located at 65 East State Street, Suite 1800, Columbus, OH 43215. Directions to our front door.

Complimentary Parking: We will reimburse parking tickets from the Columbus Commons Underground Garage only, located at 191 S. 3rd Street. Directions to parking garage.

Registration

Please register by Friday, April 19th, by contacting Jenn Cartmille, [email protected] or (614) 462-5475.