UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum has approved a new cabinet following a major government reshuffle this
week.
He announced the appointments on his official Twitter feed on Wednesday
afternoon.
Under the changes, three new ministerial roles have been created. The
new post of Minister of State for Tolerance has been handed to Lubna bint
Khalid Al Qasimi, who was previously Minister of International Cooperation and
Development.
Ohood Al Roumi has been awarded the new post of Minister of State for
Happiness, responsible for “channelling policies and plans to achieve a happier
society”.
And 22-year-old Shamma Al Mazrouei has been appointed the new Minister
of State for Youth Affairs. She has degrees from Oxford University and the
University of New York, according to the official Twitter feed.
Al Mazrouei will chair the National Youth Council, providing a public
voice for young people.
Mohammed Al Bowardi has been appointed as Minister of State for Defense
Affairs.
Dr Thani Kharkhash has been appointed Minister of State for Climate
Change and Environment. He is currently the UAE’s representative of the UN
renewable energy agency Irena, and has a PhD in renewable energy.
Najla Mohammed Al Awar has been awarded the post of Minister of
Community Development, having previously held the post of General Secretary for
Cabinet.
Noura Al Kaabi has been appointed as Minister of State for Federal
National Council Affairs.
As part of the ministerial shake-up the ministries of education and
higher education have been merged – although two separate ministers will
oversee each area.
Jamila Salim Al Muhairi has been appointed as Minister of State for
Education, and Dr Ahmed Belhoul has been appointed as Minister of State for
Higher Education. Belhoul is the CEO of Masdar and has worked as a professor at
Khalifa University.
Under the changes, the UAE plans to outsource “most government services”
to the private sector, it announced earlier this week.
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