November 11, 2020 ㅡ We welcomed H.E. Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, Ambassador of  the United Arab Emirates, to Asia Society Korea's Ambassador Interview Series and discussed about UAE's national day and the Korea-UAE relations. The purpose of this webzine is to share the ambassadors’ plans for celebrating their National Day and their insights on the country’s bilateral relationship with South Korea.

About the Guest Speaker

H.E. Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi

After completing several graduate courses in the United States, H.E. Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi has joined the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) as Senior Analyst specializing in the US market. From 1992 to 1997, he was responsible of analyzing US companies for investment opportunities and preparing recommendations for selling and buying shares. In 1997, Al Nuaimi was seconded to the Privatization Committee for the Water & Electricity Sector in the Abu Dhabi Emirate, taking on the role of Director of Independent Water and Power Producers Projects (IWPP). As part of his responsibilities, he became the first Emirati to preside over a unique UAE privatization enterprise that aims to produce water and electricity in one integrated project. His success with the project was recognized with a number of awards, including the MENA Energy Sector’s coveted Power Personality of the Year for 2014. In 2011, he was appointed as Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), where he continued to serve as an advisor till now. In deference to his expertise and leadership in the power and water sectors, he has been nominated as Chairman of the Board for many public and private enterprises including: the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company and Al Ain Distribution Company; the Abu Dhabi Transmission & Dispatch Company (TRANSCO); Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Company (ADWEC); Al Wathbah Central Services Company; and Taweelah Asia Power Company (TAPCO). He serves and has served as Vice Chairman of the First Energy Bank; The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company; and the International Energy and Water Company, TAQA. In addition, Al Nuaimi has been a board member for Sohar Aluminium Company LLC; the Federal Electricity and Water Authority; Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company and Oman Insurance Company. He was a member of the Follow-up UAE President’s Initiatives Committee until 2014 and President of the Canadian Emirati Businessmen council. Al Nuaimi was shortlisted for Abu Dhabi Excellence Award, administrative sector (2008/2009). Ambassador Al Nuaimi has been the duty as the UAE Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Korea since December 2016.