Sheikh Hamdan appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced a new UAE cabinet on Sunday.

Sheikh Mohammed said, “Brothers and sisters... After consulting with my brother Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, President of the UAE, and after his blessing and approval... and in continuation of the continuous development in the structure of the government of the UAE... we announce today the formation of a new ministerial position in the country as follows:

“Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum joined the UAE government as Deputy Prime Minister and was appointed Minister of Defense of the UAE.

“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.

“And restructuring the Council for Education, Human Resources and Community Development in the UAE, headed by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed and Vice-President of the Council Sheikha Maryam Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and including the Ministry of Community Development under the umbrella of the Council, in addition to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, Federal Universities and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and appointing Sheikha Maryam Bint Mohammed Bin Zayed, President of the National Center for Quality Education.

The Education Council, headed by Sheikh Abdullah and with Sheikha Maryam as Vice-President, represents a guarantee of the stability and continuity of education plans and strategies.

The Council will supervise our national human capital, under the guidance and vision of the President of the State, from early childhood through general education and higher education, all the way to employment and nationalization, 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.”

Sheikh Mohammed said, “We also announce today, as part of the new government changes, the merger of 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.

“We announce the appointment of Abdul Rahman Al-Awar as Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in addition to his current duties as Minister of Emiratisation and Human Resources in the federal government.

“We also announce today the appointment of Ahmed Belhoul as Minister of Sports and President of the Higher Colleges of Technology in the country, in addition to his duties as President of the Emirates Space Agency.”

Sheikh Mohammed said, “Today, as part of the new changes in the federal government, we also announce the appointment of Alia Abdullah Al Mazrouei 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.

“We also thank Sarah Al-Musallam for her efforts during the past period, wishing her continued success in serving her country.

“May God grant everyone success to serve the country and its people… We affirm that change is part of the development journey... Development is part of an ambition that knows no bounds... and our future is better as long as we move forward... and our future is prosperous as long as we dream of the most beautiful for our country.”