United States Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates

Ambassador of the United States to the United Arab Emirates سفير الولايات المتحدة الأميركية في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة
Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent Barbara A. Leaf since January 20, 2015
Nominator	President of the United States
Inaugural holder	William A. Stoltzfus, Jr. as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Formation	February 29, 1972
Website	U.S. Embassy - Abu Dhabi

The Ambassador of the United States to the United Arab Emirates is the official representative of the President of the United States to the head of state of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates, each ruled by an emir. Until 1971 the sheikhdoms had been protectorates of the United Kingdom, known as the Trucial States. On December 1, 1971 The U.K. ended its relationship with the Trucial States and the sheikhdoms became independent. On December 2 the sheikhdoms united to form the United Arab Emirates.

The United States recognized the independence of the United Arab Emirates the next day, December 3. Diplomatic relations were established on March 20, 1972, when Envoy William A. Stoltzfus, Jr. presented his credentials to the government of the United Arab Emirates. Stoltzfus was concurrently accredited to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, and the UAE while resident at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait. During Stolzfus’ tenure as non-resident Ambassador, the embassy in Abu Dhabi was established on May 15, 1972, with Philip J. Griffin as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim. The first ambassador solely accredited to the UAE was Michael Sterner, who presented his credentials on May 24, 1974.

The U.S. embassy to the UAE is located in Abu Dhabi.

U.S. diplomatic terms

Note: Patrick N. Theros served as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, April 1981-October 1982.