The UAE Vice President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, promises a positive start to the new year with ministerial changes in the government. He announced three new ministers and portfolios, including the appointment of Sultan Alneyadi as the Minister of Youth, Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi as the Minister of Environment, and Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei as the Minister of State for Defence Affairs.
These announcements followed the first meeting of the Council of Ministers for the year, during which they reviewed 2023’s developments and approved the plan for 2024. Sheikh Mohammed foresees a “good year” ahead, describing it as potentially the most beautiful and greatest in the history of the Emirates.
Among the new ministers, Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the Minister of State for Defence Affairs, has a background as an Adviser at the Presidential Court and previously served as the Undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi.
Dr Amna Al Shamsi, appointed as the Minister of Environment, has a strong background as the Assistant Undersecretary for Care and Capacity Building Sector at the Ministry of Education. She also played a crucial role as the UAE Government Spokesperson during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Additionally, Mariam Almheiri, concluding her term as the Minister of Climate Change and Environment, will assume the role of Head of the Office of International Affairs in the Presidential Office. Almheiri has been influential in securing UAE’s bid to host Cop28 and implementing initiatives such as the food tech valley and the Ne’ma Food Loss and Waste Reduction Roadmap. She has actively promoted sustainability and contributed to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 goals.
