UAE Cabinet: People’s aspirations accorded priority

Abu Dhabi: A new Cabinet has been formed in keeping with preparations for a new phase of governmental work which will see the fast-tracking of development projects across the country and achieve the aspirations of the people, said His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as he announced the cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday.

Shaikh Mohammad, who took to Twitter to announce the reshuffle, added that the changes were also meant to “expand our relations with the world around us”.

The introduction of new faces to the government team, Shaikh Mohammad  said, would introduce fresh ideas, enabling the government to keep up-to-date and to deal with national issues that are considered a priority by the people of the UAE.

New portfolio

The formation of the new Ministry of Development and International Co-operation, headed by Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, is intended to enable the country to measure up to its crucial role in development around the world, with the aim of broadening the scope of such activities, whether on a country-to-country basis or through the various international organisations active in this field. It will also help to consolidate the status of the UAE as an important donor and key player in the process of global human development, as well as its relations with developing nations.

Shaikh Mohammad confirmed through a Twitter message the approval of the list of members of the new Cabinet by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Merged ministries

The Cabinet includes four new members. The ministries of Foreign Trade and Economy have been merged.

Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan has been appointed Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan the Minister of
Higher Education and Scientific Research.

New entrant Abdullah Bin Mohammad Bel Haif Al Nuaimi takes charge as Minister of Public Works.

The Office for Co-ordination of Foreign Aid will become part of the new ministry which will begin to perform its functions immediately with regards to a variety of issues, including the development of public policy on overseas development aid.

The ministry will also propose areas of priority in terms of development assistance, document foreign aid to other countries by both the UAE’s governmental and non-governmental sectors, will assess the impact of foreign aid programmes on recipient countries, and will handle co-ordination with local and international authorities in the humanitarian aid sector.

In other appointments, Abdul Rahman Mohammad Al Owais was named Minister of Health, and new entrant Suhail Faraj Faris Al Mazroui the Minister of Energy. Other new entrants Dr Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber and Abdullah Mohammad Saeed Gobash were named Ministers of State.

The new appointments are intended to inject new blood into the government, including those who have demonstrated efficiency and professionalism in their respective fields in the private or public sectors.