MEI's 80th Anniversary Gala is part of the Middle East Institute's annual gala series, which honors individuals from the United States and the Middle East whose achievements promote peaceful and prosperous cooperation between the regions.
The event draws more than 400 leading diplomatic, business, and philanthropic leaders. It was held at The Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C., on March 25, 2026, where Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber received the 2026 Distinguished Global Leadership Award for his contributions to energy, technology, economic growth, and international cooperation.
Featured speakers included General (ret.) John Abizaid, Marjorie A. Adams, Bret Baier, Ambassador (ret.) Stuart E. Jones, and His Excellency Yousef Al-Otaiba.
