Abu Dhabi: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has unveiled a new Cabinet tasked with making the UAE the world’s best prepared for artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies.
“The new government will catapult the UAE into its prosperous centenary which aims for fostering knowledge, science and research as well as engaging the youth in the leadership of the nation,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
Shaikh Mohammad tweeted that a new shake-up came after the government’s recent annual meetings and the launch of the UAE Centennial Plan 2071.
The reshuffle was approved by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and came after consultation with “my brother [His Highness Shaikh] Mohammad Bin Zayed [Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces],” Shaikh Mohammad said.
“We want the UAE to become the world’s most prepared country for artificial intelligence,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
Shaikh Mohammad added the new phase focuses on “future skills, future sciences and future technology, as we prepare for the centenary to ensure a better future for our generations”.
Six new ministers were appointed, including three women.
The new Cabinet is made up of 31 ministers, including nine women. So, the representation of women in the Cabinet was boosted to 29 per cent.
The new government reshuffle is based on our recent annual government meetings and the launch of the UAE Centennial Plan to meet a number of long-term future requirements.”
- Shaikh Mohammad
Shaikh Mohammad also announced that Ahmad Abdullah Humaid Bel Houl Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education, will be tasked with the portfolio of Advanced Skills.
“My brother Ahmad [Bel Houl] is in charge of imbuing national talent with the skills of the future. Advanced technology will create new jobs and make half of existing jobs redundant within just 10 years.
“We have also charged my brother Ahmad Bel Houl with heading the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources to make sure our national talent are ready and armed with the advanced skills of the future.”
Shaikh Mohammad announced the appointment of Mariam Al Muhairi as the Minister of State for Future Food Security of our Nation, with respect to research, planning, and technology.
“Food security is a national issue of the future, necessitating research, knowledge, and projects. Our faith in our youth is high,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
Shaikh Mohammad said: “We also announce the appointment of Nasser Bin Thani Al Hameli as the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation. We are still slow in the Emiratisation drive and Nasser faces a large task.
Shaikh Mohammad appointed “my brother Nahyan Bin Mubarak [Al Nahyan] as the Minister of Tolerance. Brother Nahyan is an Emirati face recognised both on the Arab level and internationally. He is a significant credit to UAE soft power,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
“Brother Nahyan Bin Mubarak, with his extensive social credit and wide-reaching international connections, commands the admiration of all segments of society, and no one is more suited to instill the value of tolerance in the UAE and the region,” he added.
We also appointed Sara Al Amiri as a Minister of State who will be responsible for the Advanced Sciences portfolio. Her task will be focused on research, development and building scientific capabilities. Sara will also be responsible for the UAE Council of Scientists, and she will capably lead the UAE mission to Mars.”
- Shaikh Mohammad
Shaikh Mohammad also announced the appointment of Noora Mohammad Al Kaabi as the Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development. “With her experience in both culture and the media, she will aptly continue brother Nahyan’s journey in the ministry,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
#Mohammed_bin_Rashid appoints HessaBuhumaidas the Minister of Community Development. #UAE#wamnews pic.twitter.com/khNq8dI2uZ
— WAM News / English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) 19 October 2017
Shaikh Mohammad said the Minister of Energy will also be responsible for Industry, so that “brother Suhail [Mohammad Faraj] Al Mazroui will now be responsible for developing industries, especially technologically advanced ones, in the UAE”.
“We also announce that responsibilities of the Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs will be added to the current responsibilities of brother Abdul Rahman [Mohammad] Al Owais. Our wishes for his success in his national duties,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
#Mohammed_bin_Rashid appoints Sheikh Nahyanbin Mubarak Al Nahyanas Minister of State for Tolerance. #UAE pic.twitter.com/zVmBRRd8ia
— WAM News / English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) 19 October 2017
“We also announce the appointment of Abdullah Mohammad Bin Toq as the Secretary General of the Cabinet. Abdullah is a graduate of leadership programmes and an active member of my team.”
In March, the UAE Centennial Plan 2071 was launched to make the UAE the best country in the world.
Food security is a national issue for the future, with a basis on research, sciences and projects. Omar and Sara will support this national portfolio, and we have great trust in our youths.”
- Shaikh Mohammad
It is a comprehensive government plan that encompasses a national strategy to strengthen the country’s reputation and soft power; ensure that government revenue is diversified, relying less on oil; introduce education programmes focused on advanced information technology and engineering; and consistently build Emirati values and ethics for future generations. Enhancing the productivity of the national economy and enhancing community cohesion are also important aspects of the project.
New cabinet announced on October 19, 2017
1. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Defence
2. Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior
3. Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs
4. Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance
5. Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
6. Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
Minister of Tolerance
7. Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi
Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future
8. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri
Minister of Economy
9. Abdul Rahman Mohammad Al Owais
Minister of Health and Prevention
Minister of Federal National Council (FNC) Affairs
10. Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
11. Obaid Humaid Al Tayer
Minister of State for Financial Affairs
12. Reem Ebrahim Al Hashemi
Minister of State for International Cooperation
13. Suhail Mohammad Faraj Al Mazroui
Minister of Energy and Industry
14. Hussain Ebrahim Al Hammadi
Minister of Education
15. Dr Abdullah Mohammad Bel Haif Al Nuaimi
Minister of Infrastructure Development
16. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Badi
Minister of Justice
17. Mohammad Ahmad Al Bawardi
Minister of State for Defence Affairs
18. Noora Mohammad Al Kaabi
Cultural and Knowledge Development
19. Thani Ahmad Al Zeyoudi
Minister of Climate Change and Environment
20. Nasser Bin Thani Al Hameli
Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation
21. Hessa Bint Eisa Bu Humaid
Minister of Community Development
22. Jameela Salem Al Muhairi
Minister of State for Public Education
23. Ahmad Abdullah Humaid Bel Houl Al Falasi
Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills
24. Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber
Minister of State
25. Maitha Salem Al Shamsi
Minister of State
26. Ohoud Khalfan Al Roumi
Minister of State for Happiness
27. Shamma Suhail Faris Al Mazroui
Minister of State for Youth
28. Zaki Nussaibah
Minister of State
29. Mariam Al Muhairi
Minister of State for Food Security
30. Sara Al Amiri
Minister of State for Advanced Sciences
31. Omar Sultan Al Olama
Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence
New Ministries
1. Mariam Al Muhairi has been appointed as Minister of State for Food Security
2. Sara Al Amiri, 30, has been appointed as Minister of State for Advanced Sciences
3. Omar Sultan Al Olama, 27, has been appointed as Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence
Change of Portfolios
Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan has been appointed as Minister of Tolerance
Hessa Bint Eisa Bu Humaid has been appointed as Minster of Community Development (Also new minister)
Nasser Bin Thani Al Hameli appointed as Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation ( Also new minister)
Noora Al Kaabi will be the Minister of for Culture and Knowledge Development
Additional Portfolios
Ahmad Abdullah Humaid Bel Houl Al Falasi
Minister of State for Higher Education
Advanced Skills (additional portolfio)
Abdul Rahman Mohammad Al Owais
Minister of Health and Prevention
FNC Affairs (additional portfolio)
Suhail Mohammad Faraj Al Mazroui
Minister of Energy and Energy (additional portfolio)
Zaki Nussaibah appointed as Minister of State