Abu Dhabi: Members of the new Cabinet were instructed to work diligently and faithfully to contribute to the promotion of the sustainable development of the country.
President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan gave directives to the members of the Council of Ministers “to work diligently and faithfully to help promote sustainable development of the country and achieve the aspirations of our people to reach the stages of the most advanced and in keeping with the growing international leverage enjoyed by the UAE”.
Shaikh Khalifa expressed his confidence in the Government of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in translating the objectives included in the federal government’s strategy to achieve further growth and prosperity in all fields.
Shaikh Khalifa was speaking after the new cabinet took the oath before Shaikh Mohammad, who announced the appointments to the 12th Cabinet on Wednesday.
He stressed the keenness to continue the UAE’s march initiated by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brothers, the rulers of the UAE, in various fields, with the sincerity and dedication of its people who are the foundation of any national scheme that serves the nation and its citizens.
“The new Cabinet focuses on the future, youth, happiness, developing education and combating climate change,” Shaikh Mohammad said as he unveiled the new Cabinet.
The President wished the entire Government, headed by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid, luck and success in their mission.
“We and our people and our nation are waiting for more dedication in order to continue the march of development in which our country has made significant steps, to move towards broader horizons and reinforce the special place it occupies at the regional and global levels.
“We see your trustworthiness and we hope that you commit yourselves towards serving your country and its citizens,” Shaikh Khalifa said while expressing his thanks and appreciation to the ministers for their efforts in serving their country and their people.
Following the approval of Shaikh Khalifa, the ministers of the UAE’s 12th Cabinet took the oath before Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed.
He announced the formation of the future government through his direct interaction in the ‘Dialogue of the Future’, a conversation with 10 million followers on social media platforms.
During his interactions, Shaikh Mohammad said that the new Cabinet focuses on the future, youth and happiness, and efforts to develop education and combat climate change. He also said that the new Cabinet ensures strategic and regulatory roles for the ministers, and sets a roadmap for outsourcing most government services to the private sector. The new Cabinet has fewer ministries but more ministers to manage changes and the dynamic strategic portfolios.
During the oath-taking ceremony, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid said, “Our ambitions are limitless, and the UAE has high expectations from you. We see you as trustworthy, and hope that the UAE and its citizens will always remain your top priority.”
He added that the future government reflects the vision of the UAE’s leadership to achieve further development and prosperity in all fields.
“The formation of the new Cabinet is the first step in our approach of new thinking in government framework, and its tools are youth, happiness and knowledge development. The next stage requires your new ideas to be applied in the field. We seek to achieve major developmental leaps in all vital sectors of our country in line with its leading position on the global level,” the Vice-President said.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed said: “The new Cabinet, with its fresh blood, will continue to realise the aspirations and ambitions of the UAE people towards more progress, prosperity and well-being, as well as to solidify the UAE’s leading position regionally and internationally.”
He pointed out that the new Cabinet comes at a very critical stage in the UAE’s march while moving forward, driven by the confidence and limitless ambitions of its leadership and people.
‘The UAE is moving ahead, with confidence and sky-high ambitions towards a better future for the present and future generations, capitalising on its solid foundations in its citizens, as laid by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan,” Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed said.
He thanked the outgoing ministers and congratulated the new ones, and expressed his full confidence in the new Cabinet, which will take the nation to a new phase of development and prosperity that will enhance the UAE’s excellence and leadership.
The ministers expressed their pride in the leadership of Shaikh Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid, and said they are honoured to be a part of the team of the future government. They expressed their commitment to increased efforts to serve the nation and its citizens, and achieve the aspirations of the government and leadership.
New ministers
Eight new ministers, five of them women, have joined the federal Government in the biggest shake-up in its history.
The youngest minister sworn in as Minister of State for Youth was Shamma Suhail Faris Al Mazroui, 22, who will also preside over the Youth National Council.
Ohoud Khalfan Al Roumi was sworn in as Minister of State for Happiness, but will also keep her role as director-general of the Prime Minister’s Office.
Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi was sworn in as Minister of State for Tolerance after her ministry was merged with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We hope Shaikha Lubna will play both a local and regional role,” Shaikh Mohammed said as he assigned her the new portfolio.
Najla Al Awar, the former secretary-general of the Cabinet and a mother of three, was sworn in as Minister of Community Development.
Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, 32, was sworn in as Minister for Climate Change and Environment.
Mohammad Al Bowardi was sworn in as the new Minister of State for Defence Affairs.
With 20 years of experience in education, Jameela Al Muhairi was sworn in as Minister of State for Public Education Affairs.
Noura Al Kaabi took oath as Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs.
—With inputs by WAM
