His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and Ruler of Dubai, announced the formation of a new federal Cabinet on Tuesday. The announcement was publicly endorsed by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and unveiled to the public on His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s Twitter account (@HHShkMohd).
The official statement indicated the first Cabinet shuffle in five years and included the names of new ministers and ministerial positions. The statement also reflected a shift in the position of select current ministers and the formation of a brand new ministry — the Ministry of International Development and Cooperation.
According to the official announcement, the newly minted Ministry of International Development and Cooperation will be led by Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qassimi, the U.A.E.’s former Minister of Foreign Trade, while the Ministry of Foreign Trade’s current responsibilities will be merged with the U.A.E.’s Ministry of Economy. The new ministry’s scope of responsibilities were not immediately announced.
The full roster of new Ministers appointed by the U.A.E. leadership to positions in the U.A.E. Cabinet include:
• Suhail Bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei as the new Minister of Energy
• His Excellency Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al-Owais as the new Minister of Health
• His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber as a new Minister of State
• His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Ghobash as a new Minister of State
• His Excellency Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi as the new Minister of Public Works
Current cabinet member His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan shifted from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to become the new Minister of Culture, Youth, and Community Development, while His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan shifted from the Ministry of Public Works to become the new Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Significant press attention today has focused on the appointment of businessman Suhail Bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei as Minister of Energy. According to Bloomberg, Al Mazrouei currently serves on Abu Dhabi’s Supreme Petroleum Council, which sets energy policy for the emirate, and as a deputy chief executive of Mubadala Petroleum. The appointment precedes the U.A.E.’s decision to award a new oil concessions contract next year and indicates an inflection point in the execution of the country’s economic diversification strategy.
For news coverage and more information about the shift in the U.A.E. Cabinet, visit:
“UAE Cabinet reshuffle revealed”- Emirates News Agency-WAM
“Mohammed announces 10th Cabinet on Twitter”- Emirates News Agency-WAM
“UAE’s Sheikh Mohammed announces cabinet reshuffle”- Arabian Business
“‘New young faces’ for UAE Cabinet as Sheikh Mohammed unveils reshuffle” – The National
“UAE energy minister replaced in cabinet reshuffle” – AFP
“First UAE cabinet reshuffle in five years” – Financial Times
“U.A.E. Appoints New Energy Minister, Replaces Eight-Year Veteran” – Bloomberg
