NUSACC Social Media

NUSACC social media

2026

September

Jonathan Freedman (left), President and CEO of World Trade Center Utah, welcomed David Hamod (right), President and CEO of the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC). The meeting provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between WTC Utah and NUSACC, a partnership that goes back more than a decade.

Franz Kolb (right), Senior Director of International Trade and Diplomacy at the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, welcomed David Hamod (left), NUSACC's President and CEO. The two old friends discussed international trade, investment, and economic partnerships.

In Salt Lake City, NUSACC's David Hamod (center) was pleased to participate in a performance by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Here, Hamod is welcomed by former Utah Governor Mike Leavitt (right) and Derek Miller (left), President & CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber.

august

NUSACC is privileged to participate in this year's Newport Global Summit in Rhode Island, which brings together distinguished leaders and influential voices from across the business and policy communities.

At the Summit’s opening event, NUSACC’s David Hamod (right) joined legendary businessman and media mogul Steve Forbes (left) and Kitty Cushing (center), Founder and President of the Newport Global Summit.

NUSACC's David Hamod (center) was welcomed to the Embassy of Iraq Cultural Office by Dr. Alaa Alhusainy (right), Deputy Cultural Attaché, and Dr. Hussein Alsheakh (left), Director of Administration. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss strengthening U.S.-Iraq relations, expanding cultural and economic engagement, and identifying new opportunities for collaboration between the two countries, especially in higher education.

NUSACC’s David Hamod (right) pays his respects to H.E. Motaz Zahran (left), Egypt's Ambassador to the United States, as His Excellency concludes his distinguished tenure in Washington, DC.

Hamod noted, "Our Chamber has been privileged to work with Ambassador Zahran, who has led by example during his six years in Washington DC. We commend him for his strong leadership and his remarkable ability to tackle some of the most challenging regional issues in U.S. - Arab relations. All of us at NUSACC are grateful for his many contributions to strengthening Egypt-U.S. relations and fostering meaningful engagement between our two countries."

NUSACC wishes His Excellency continued success in his future endeavors, as he moves from strength to strength.

Dr. Jayson Lusk (right), Vice President and Dean of Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, welcomes David Hamod (left), NUSACC's President & CEO, to campus. Oklahoma State University, based in Stillwater, is one of America's preeminent land-grant universities, founded in 1890. The two leaders discussed the importance of international partnerships, especially in agricultural innovation.

Stacy Leeds (left) - JD, LLM, and MBA - President of the University of Tulsa, welcomes David Hamod (right), NUSACC's President & CEO, to campus. The two discussed ways to strengthen partnerships and explore opportunities for collaboration. The University of Tulsa, based in Oklahoma, is one of America's premier universities for energy studies, with many graduates from the Arab world.

Dr. Vivian Wang (right), Vice Provost for Global Engagement at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, recently held discussions with NUSACC's David Hamod (left) about expanding programs of interest to the Arab world (including the Republic of Iraq).

july

NUSACC was honored to participate in the 2026 summer meeting of the National Governors Association, held in Oklahoma City. The gathering brought together Governors, business leaders, and policymakers for meaningful discussions on the issues shaping economic growth, trade, and partnerships. It was a valuable opportunity - on a bipartisan basis - to exchange insights, build connections, and explore collaborative solutions that strengthen businesses and communities nationwide.

#NUSACC remains committed to advancing public-private partnerships and creating opportunities that drive innovation, growth, and economic prosperity.

Thank you to the National Governors Association for bringing leaders together and fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

Some highlights from the event:

David Hamod, NUSACC’s President & CEO, had the privilege to meet with two distinguished NGA leaders: Hon. Kevin Stitt (left photo), Governor of #Oklahoma and Chair of the NGA, and Hon. Wes Moore (right photo), Governor of #Maryland and incoming Chair of the NGA.

Governor Kevin Stitt interviews Hon. Markwayne Mullin (left), U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and a fellow Oklahoman.

Hon. Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma (right), presented the NGA gavel to Hon. Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland, marking the transition of leadership to Governor Moore, Chair of the NGA for 2026–2027.

Dr. Brandon Tatum, CEO of the National Governors Association (NGA), welcomed Governors and guests to Oklahoma.

Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum: On the sidelines of the National Governors Association (NGA) meeting in Oklahoma City, delegates visited this somber memorial to honor those lost in 1995 to domestic terrorism. The memorial provided an opportunity to reflect on the importance of resilience and community, as well as the need to fight extremism.

U.S.-Arab Trade Reaches $121.7 Billion, But the Stakes Are Rising

U.S. exports to the Arab world rose 14.7 percent in 2025, but tariffs, energy risk, strategic purchasing, and regional conflict are rapidly reshaping the commercial relationship.

In 2025, U.S. trade with the 22 markets of the Arab world expanded sharply. U.S. goods exports to the region climbed to $78.66 billion, a gain of $10.07 billion, or 14.7 percent, over 2024. At the same time, U.S. goods imports from the region fell to $43.05 billion, down $4.01 billion, or a drop of 8.5 percent. The net effect was a significant widening of the U.S. goods trade surplus with the Arab world, which rose from $21.54 billion to $35.61 billion – an increase of $14.07 billion in a single year. Total two-way trade reached $121.71 billion.

To read the full report, please click here.

june

NUSACC was honored to join the celebration of Djibouti's National Day, commemorating 49 years of independence, at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Pictured are: H.E. Mohamed Doualeh (center right), Ambassador of Djibouti to the United States; David Hamod (right), NUSACC's President & CEO; Mrs. Fatouma Aouled, spouse of the Ambassador (center left); and Col. Ali Aden Houmed (left), Djibouti's Defense Attaché. In his remarks, Ambassador Doualeh highlighted Djibouti's strategic position in the Horn of Africa and the close cooperation between his nation and the USA.

NUSACC Supports Iraq Higher Education Roadshow to the United States

To read the full report, please click here.

Brad Cheves (left), President & CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber, welcomes David Hamod, NUSACC's President & CEO, to Texas. The two chamber leaders discussed potential partnerships in such sectors as banking & finance, food security, healthcare, logistics, and higher education.

MG Gregory C. Porter (right), Adjutant General of the Wyoming National Guard, welcomed NUSACC's David Hamod to Cheyenne. They discussed Wyoming's relations with the Arab world, especially the State Partnership Program between Wyoming and the Republic of Tunisia.

Dr. Kelly Crane (right), Dean of the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences, and Natural Resources, welcomed NUSACC's David Hamod on campus.

may

Nebraska's Secretary of State, Hon. Robert Evnen (center right), received a high-level delegation in support of U.S. - Egypt food security cooperation. The visit was co-organized by the Nebraska Farm Bureau - represented by President Mark McHargue (center left) - and the National U.S. - Arab Chamber of Commerce, represented by President David Hamod (second from left).

H.E. Abdul Qadir Al-Dakhil (left), Governor of Nineveh (Mosul region) in Iraq, is welcomed to the USA by David Hamod (right), President & CEO of NUSACC. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 2026 Iraq Dialogue, organized by the Atlantic Council. Hamod met recently with Al-Dakhil in Mosul, where they discussed infrastructure development and capacity-building for Iraqi youth.

NUSACC's David Hamod (right) met recently with H.E. Amina Benkhadra, Morocco's Director General of the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines. The meeting took place at the Stimson Center, which invited DG Benkhadra to share insights into her nation's energy future and strategic resources.

NUSACC has been pleased to participate in SelectUSA 2026 (May 3 - 6), engaging with partners and exploring new avenues for collaboration and growth. The SelectUSA Investment Summit continues to bring together investors, companies, EDOs, and industry leaders to spark deals across the United States.

NUSACC's David Hamod (right) has been meeting with many state government officials, including the Hon. Ellen McNair (left), Alabama's Secretary of Commerce.

April

At a reception organized by three Arab embassies and Military Diplomatic Strategies, NUSACC's David Hamod (left) was pleased to join Her Royal Highness Reema Bint Bandar Al-Saud (center) - Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the United States - and Hon. Jill Kelley (right), President of Military Diplomatic Strategies.

David Hamod (left), NUSACC's President & CEO, met recently with Congressman Brian Mast (right), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. They discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and North Africa.

NUSACC participated this week in the 56th Annual Global Business Forum of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA). Hosted by the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP), the gathering brought together over 500 global business leaders and policymakers.

David Hamod (left), NUSACC’s President & CEO, met with NBA legend and Philly icon Julius "Dr. J" Erving II (center) and Thomas Young, WTCGP's President & CEO. Dr. J shared insights into leadership, legacy, and community service.

The opening session featured inspiring remarks from Hon. Cherelle Parker (left), Mayor of Philadelphia, and Thomas Young (right), WTCGP's President & CEO.

On the sidelines of the 2026 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), NUSACC's David Hamod pays his respects to H.E. Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh (left), Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade.

H.E. Motaz Zahran (right), Egypt's Ambassador to the United States, welcomed NUSACC's David Hamod to the Embassy of Egypt during the Spring Meetings of the IMF/WBG in Washington DC.

On the sidelines of the 2026 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), NUSACC's David Hamod pays his respects to H.E. Mohammed Yisr Barnieh (left), Minister of Finance of Syria, and H.E. Abdul Qader al-Husriya (right), Governor of the Central Bank of Syria.

At the Semafor World Economy summit in Washington DC, taking place alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings, NUSACC's David Hamod (left) met with Lorenzo Simonelli (right), Chairman and CEO of Baker Hughes, a leading U.S. energy technology company.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino takes the stage to discuss the upcoming World Cup, to be held in North America.

The National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) hosted a high-level luncheon in honor of a distinguished Mauritanian business delegation, led by H.E. Mohamed Zein Abidine Cheikh Ahmed, President of Mauritania's National Union of Employers (UNPM). Discussion focused on the private sector’s role in advancing bilateral economic cooperation.

Sponsored by Cybastion, the event brought together senior representatives from the Embassy of Mauritania - led by H.E. Cissé Mint Cheikh Ould Boide, Mauritania’s Ambassador to the United States - along with prominent business leaders. The gathering fostered meaningful dialogue and strengthened economic and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

David Hamod (right), NUSACC's President & CEO, welcomed H.E. Mohamed Zein Abidine Cheikh Ahmed (left), President of Mauritania's National Union of Employers (UNPM). NUSACC’s gift is a charcuterie board handcrafted in the Midwest of the United States.

March

In Belgium, H.E. Nawaf N. Alenezi (left), Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Kingdom of Belgium, welcomed Mr. David Hamod, NUSACC President & CEO. Ambassador Alenezi is also responsible for Kuwait's relations with the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

In Belgium, Qaisar Hijazin (right), Secretary General of the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, welcomed David Hamod, NUSACC President & CEO.

February

David Hamod, NUSACC's President & CEO, was pleased to participate in the 2026 Winter Meeting of the National Governors Association. Held in Washington DC at the end of February, the bipartisan gathering brought together U.S. Governors, federal officials, and leaders from business, academia, and philanthropy.

Photo: NGA Chair Kevin Stitt (center), Governor of Oklahoma, and Vice Chair Wes Moore (left), Governor of Maryland, discussed NGA priorities. On a bipartisan basis, the NGA is committed to collaboration on policy initiatives that help to shape the future of the United States.

January

NUSACC's David Hamod was honored this week to participate in a high-level celebration at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington DC, hosted by H.E. Youssef Amrani, Morocco's Ambassador to the United States. The event commemorated 250 years of friendship between the United States and the Kingdom of Morocco, the first country to recognize the fledgling USA in the year 1777. The gathering honored the enduring partnership between the two nations, one grounded in mutual respect, shared values, and a sustained commitment to cooperation across political, economic, and cultural spheres.

2025

NUSACC Social Media: A Photographic Journey (2025)