In a significant reshuffle of the UAE Cabinet, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. The announcement was made on Sunday, July 14, by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.
Historic Appointment
Sheikh Hamdan’s appointment marks a historic transition, as he becomes the first new Minister of Defence in 53 years. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum had held the position since the UAE’s unification in 1971.
Additional Key Changes
The reshuffle included the appointment of two new Deputy Prime Ministers, expanding the leadership team to five. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan will now serve as Deputy Prime Minister alongside his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Sheikh Hamdan joins him in this new capacity, alongside the existing Deputy Prime Ministers: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
New Minister of Education
Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, formerly the Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, has been named Minister of Education. She succeeds Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, who served from 2022 to 2024. This reshuffle also sees the integration of the Emirates Schools Establishment and the Federal Authority of Early Education into the Ministry of Education under her leadership.
Re-establishment of Ministries
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has been re-established after being merged with the Ministry of Education for the past decade. Abdulrahman Al Awar will act as minister while retaining his current post as Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The Ministry of Sports, which had been merged and restructured multiple times since its establishment in 1971, has also been reinstated. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, who has been the chairman of the General Authority of Sports since 2021, will serve as the new Minister of Sports.
New Role for Entrepreneurship
Alia Abdulla Al Mazrouei has been appointed as the Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, marking her first role in the federal government. She brings a wealth of experience from the private sector, venture capital, and entrepreneurship. Al Mazrouei has been the CEO of the Khalifa Fund For Enterprise Development since February 2022, promoting entrepreneurship and supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Abu Dhabi.
The first Cabinet reshuffle of 2024, announced in January, included Sultan AlNeyadi as Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Amna Bin Dahak AlShamsi as Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Mohammed Al Mazrouei as Minister of State for Defence Affairs.
These appointments underscore the UAE’s ongoing efforts to diversify and strengthen its federal government with experienced leaders from various sectors.
