New Jersey Economic Mission Trip to Gulf Arab States Daily Recap – April 30 & May 1

Abu Dhabi – Governor Phil Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the New Jersey delegation continued Choose New Jersey’s seven-day Governor-led economic mission in Abu Dhabi today. Meetings and events focused on enhancing relationships and collaboration between the United States and the United Arab Emirates in commercial gaming, digital policy, AI, and women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Below are photos and additional details from the events in Abu Dhabi:

Governor Murphy Signs Memorandum of Understanding Between New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and General Commercial Gaming Regulation Authority (GCGRA) during a Meeting with Mr. Kevin Mullally, CEO of GCGRA, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the New Jersey Delegation

Governor Murphy attended an MOU signing between the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE). The GCGRA aims to serve as a test bed for New Jersey companies seeking expansion opportunities in both regions. The MOU focuses on sharing best practices in regulating sports gaming, casinos, and related activities.

Governor Murphy Participates in a Fireside Chat at the 37th Annual Digital Transformation Summit UAE 2025, Moderated by CoreWeave’s Mike Mattacola

Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and members of the New Jersey delegation attended the 37th Annual Digital Transformation Summit, where Governor Murphy was a featured speaker in a fireside chat, moderated by Mike Mattacola, Chief Business Officer of CoreWeave. He presented a comprehensive model of how New Jersey is integrating artificial intelligence into government operations and showcased the state’s bold initiatives. The Governor’s participation reinforced the state’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and advancing forward-looking digital policy, as the UAE’s digital economy is projected to reach $140 billion.

Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and Members of the New Jersey Delegation Attend a Majlis Reception Hosted by U.S. Ambassador Martina Strong and Emirati Stakeholders

Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and members of the New Jersey delegation attended a dinner reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador to the UAE Martina Strong. The evening served as a platform to strengthen U.S.–UAE bilateral relations and advance strategic dialogues with key Emirati stakeholders. Held in a traditional majlis setting—a cultural space central to Emirati life that fosters dialogue, hospitality, and community—the reception encouraged open and meaningful exchange. Discussions focused on deepening economic, commercial, and cultural ties between New Jersey and the UAE, while supporting broader U.S. priorities in the region. The engagement also provided an opportunity to highlight New Jersey’s strengths as a hub for innovation and international business and explore new avenues for collaboration.

First Lady Tammy Murphy and the New Jersey Delegation Attend Meeting with Mr. Ashwin Joshi, Director of startAD at NYU Abu Dhabi

First Lady Tammy Murphy and select members of the New Jersey delegation met with Mr. Ashwin Joshi, Director of startAD (Part of New York University, Abu Dhabi), to discuss collaboration in entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment. StartAD is an Abu Dhabi-based accelerator that steers local and global startups to scale in the UAE and beyond. The meeting explored synergies between New Jersey’s innovation ecosystem and startAD’s initiatives, including the Impact Hub for Emirati Women Achievers and the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs UAE.

Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the New Jersey Delegation Visit the Abrahamic Family House

Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and members of the New Jersey delegation visited the Abrahamic Family House, a landmark cultural and religious complex designed to foster peaceful coexistence and interfaith dialogue. The site is home to a church, synagogue, and mosque—each honoring one of the three Abrahamic faiths—standing side by side as symbols of mutual respect and understanding. The group met with the House’s Acting Executive Director, Abdulla Al Shehhi, to align with the trip’s mission of fostering goodwill and cultural exchange.