Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, it was announced on Sunday. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, was also appointed to the role of Deputy Prime Minister.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said he consulted President Sheikh Mohamed on the decision. “We announce today the formation of a new ministerial position as follows: The joining of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in the UAE government as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence in the UAE Cabinet,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
He said Sheikh Hamdan was “a leader who loves people, and whom people love”, and was confident in the addition to the government. “We also announce today, as part of the government amendments, the appointment of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan as Deputy Prime Minister, in addition to his duties as Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
Sheikh Hamdan on Sunday afternoon expressed his appreciation of the decision and renewed his commitment to preserving the spirit of the union. “We thank His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for this precious trust and assignment,” he wrote on X. “And we renew the pledge and promise to our wise leadership and our dear people to continue following the path of Zayed and Rashid, so that the flag of the Union remains flying and that we work in the spirit of one team.”
Education Sector Reforms
Included in the changes was the restructuring of the Council for Education, Human Resources and Community Development in the UAE. Sheikh Abdullah will head the council, along with his vice president Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed, who was appointed as president of the National Centre for Quality Education.
“The Council of Education, headed by Sheikh Abdullah and with Sheikha Mariam as Vice-President, represents a guarantee of the stability and continuity of education plans and strategies,” said Sheikh Mohammed. “The Council will supervise our national human capital, under the guidance and vision of the President of the State, may God protect him, from early childhood through general education and higher education, all the way to employment and nationalisation, and ending with a stable family capable of graduating generations that adhere to their identity … preserving the values of their society … and keeping pace with all future scientific and technical changes.”
The latest government changes also included merging the Emirates Foundation for School Education and the Federal Agency for Early Education with the Ministry of Education, and the appointment of Sarah Al Amiri as Minister of Education in the UAE. Ms Al Amiri was previously Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology.
Further Appointments
Abdulrahman Al Awar was announced as acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in addition to his duties as Minister of Emiratisation and Human Resources in the federal government.
Ahmed Belhoul was announced as Minister of Sports and President of the Higher Colleges of Technology, in addition to his duties as President of the Emirates Space Agency.
Alia Al Mazrouei was announced as Minister of State for Entrepreneurship. “Alia has distinguished experience in the private sector and the government sector in the country, and her role is to create greater economic opportunities for the sons and daughters of the nation to benefit from the great growth witnessed by our national economy,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
Sara Al Musallam was thanked “for her efforts during the past period”, with Sheikh Mohammed wishing her continued success in serving her country. Ms Al Musallam was appointed Minister of State for Early Education with responsibility for the newly established Federal Authority for Early Education in 2022.
