ABU DHABI // Sheikh Khalifa, the President, today endorsed a new federal Cabinet that introduces young blood and a new ministerial position.
Several long-standing ministers have changed portfolios in the Cabinet led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, also Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
Sheikh Mohammed tweeted today that the new Cabinet has “young faces with new ideas and energy to keep up with the rapid changes and to deal with our people’s top priorities”.
The new ministers are Suhail Al Mazroui, Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Abdullah Ghobash and Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.
Mr Al Mazroui, deputy chief executive of Mubadala Oil and Gas, becomes Minister of Energy, replacing Mohammed Al Hamli.
Mr Al Nuaimi, who was under secretary of the Ministry of Public Works, will now lead the ministry.
Mr Ghobash and Dr Al Jaber are Ministers of State. Dr Al Jaber is managing director and chief executive of the renewable energy company Masdar, and has served as Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change.
Mr Ghobash was a senior member of management at National Bank of Abu Dhabi and board member at the Dubai International Financial Centre.
He has held numerous board seats at banking organisations.
Meanwhile, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade since 2008, moves to head the new Ministry of Development and International Co-operation, with the role of boosting “the position of the UAE as a major donor and a key player in the global human development”.
The Foreign Aid Office will fall under the new ministry and will be in charge of deciding policy and priorities for development and international aid.
The office will keep track of foreign aid donations from the Government, non-government organisations and international bodies.
It will also assess the effects of aid programmes.
Sheikh Mohammed tweeted that the responsibilities of the former Ministry of Foreign Trade would fall to the Ministry of Economy. “All the best to the new team,” he added.
As part of the reshuffle Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak, who was the Minister of Public Works, was appointed Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
He replaces Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, who has served as Minister of Higher Education since 1990, barring a two-year stint as Minister of Education.
Sheikh Nahyan becomes Minister of Culture, Youth and Social Development, replacing Dr Abdulrahman Al Owais, who keeps his other post as Minister of Health.
“The former team of ministers have performed their duty, serving their country,” tweeted Sheikh Mohammed. UAE never forgets the achievements of its loyal citizens.
"Such amendments are made to accelerate the pace of development in our country and to further achieve the aspirations of our people."
osalem@thenational.ae
The new cabinet members are:
Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan: Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan: Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi: Minister of Development and International Cooperation
Abdullah Bal Haif Al Nuaimi: Minister of Public Works
Suhail Mohammad Al Mazroui: Minister of Energy
Sultan Mohammad Al Jaber: Minister of State Affairs
Abdullah Mohammad Saeed Gobash: Minister of State Affairs
[ osalem@thenational.ae ]
