Adnoc's headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The company's board will be chaired by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed. Photo: Courtesy Adnoc
Adnoc's headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The company's board will be chaired by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed. Photo: Courtesy Adnoc
Adnoc's headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The company's board will be chaired by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed. Photo: Courtesy Adnoc
Adnoc's headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The company's board will be chaired by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed. Photo: Courtesy Adnoc

Sheikh Khalifa appoints new board of directors for Adnoc


Jennifer Gnana
  • English
  • Arabic

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa, who also heads Abu Dhabi's Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs, appointed a new board of directors to govern the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

The new board will be chaired by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and will include the company's group chief executive Dr Sultan Al Jaber, who has additionally been appointed managing director of Adnoc.

Dr Al Jaber, who is also the Minister for Industry and Advanced Technology, is also part of an executive committee of Adnoc's board which includes energy minister Suhail Al Mazrouei, Mubadala Investment Company chief executive Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi's Department of Finance Jassem Al Zaabi and Minister of State, Ahmed Al Sayegh. The executive committee will be chaired by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, who is a member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office.

Adnoc's new board of directors includes Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Dr Al Jaber, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Jassem Mohammed Al Zaabi, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh and Awaidha Murshed Al Marar.

  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, will chair Adnoc's new board of directors. Wam
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, will chair Adnoc's new board of directors. Wam
  • The Adnoc board includes Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, also Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Eissa Al Hammadi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    The Adnoc board includes Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, also Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Eissa Al Hammadi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • Adnoc's new board of directors includes Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter
    Adnoc's new board of directors includes Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter
  • The executive committee of Adnoc's board will be chaired by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Deputy National Security Adviser, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office. Hamad Al Mansoori for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.
    The executive committee of Adnoc's board will be chaired by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Deputy National Security Adviser, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office. Hamad Al Mansoori for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.
  • Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister for Industry and Advanced Technology is also Adnoc Group Chief Executive and Managing Director. Adnoc
    Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister for Industry and Advanced Technology is also Adnoc Group Chief Executive and Managing Director. Adnoc
  • Mubadala Investment Company Chief Executive Khaldoon Al Mubarak serves on the executive committee of Adnoc's board. Executive Affairs Authority
    Mubadala Investment Company Chief Executive Khaldoon Al Mubarak serves on the executive committee of Adnoc's board. Executive Affairs Authority
  • Sheikh Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, serves on the executive committee of Adnoc's board. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Sheikh Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, serves on the executive committee of Adnoc's board. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Adnoc's new board includes Dr Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority and Deputy Secretary-General of the Executive Council. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Adnoc's new board includes Dr Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority and Deputy Secretary-General of the Executive Council. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • Adnoc's new board includes Jassem Mohamed Al Zaabi, Director General of the National Electronic Security Authority. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Adnoc's new board includes Jassem Mohamed Al Zaabi, Director General of the National Electronic Security Authority. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • Adnoc's new board includes Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Market. Bloomberg
    Adnoc's new board includes Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Market. Bloomberg
  • Adnoc's new board includes Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the Department of Energy in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
    Adnoc's new board includes Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the Department of Energy in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

The new board of directors takes over from the Supreme Petroleum Council, which previously governed Adnoc.

The council ratifies Adnoc's annual five-year spending plan, discoveries of new resources and allocation of concessions to international energy companies.

The SPC was replaced in December by the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs, with Sheikh Khalifa as the chairman and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed as its vice-chair.

The constitution of Adnoc's first board marks a significant milestone in the group's evolution from a national oil firm to an integrated energy company with a growing international reach.

The new council was established to support Abu Dhabi's competitiveness and its economic and financial sustainability.

It will set financial and economic policy and will oversee the approval of strategies for a number of state-owned entities including Adnoc, Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and holding company ADQ.

The council has oversight on the Department of Finance but it will operate with autonomy on a day-to-day basis.

The UAE, Opec's third-largest producer, accounts for nearly 4.2 per cent of global output of oil. Most of the production comes from fields owned and operated by Adnoc in Abu Dhabi. The national oil company has streamlined its operations under Dr Al Jaber, who was appointed to his existing position in 2016.

Under his leadership, Adnoc invited partnerships from international investors into its upstream concessions and also opened up opportunities across its midstream and downstream assets to foreign capital.

Last year, the company forged a number of agreements with global asset managers across its value chain, attracting $16.8 billion in foreign direct investment into the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi firm also plans to spend $122bn over the next five years, of which $43.5bn will be directed towards the local economy.

  • The UAE has continued to attract foreign investment during the pandemic, with Adnoc agreeing a $20.7bn deal in June for a group of global asset managers to acquire leasing rights to parts of its gas pipeline network. Wam
    The UAE has continued to attract foreign investment during the pandemic, with Adnoc agreeing a $20.7bn deal in June for a group of global asset managers to acquire leasing rights to parts of its gas pipeline network. Wam
  • An Adnoc drilling rig in action. The company has achieved $2bn in savings over the past five years through the deployment of technology. Courtesy: Adnoc
    An Adnoc drilling rig in action. The company has achieved $2bn in savings over the past five years through the deployment of technology. Courtesy: Adnoc
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (R), is updated on the progress of Adnoc's downstream projects in Ruwais. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (R), is updated on the progress of Adnoc's downstream projects in Ruwais. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • Adnoc group chief executive and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr Sultan Al Jaber has overseen a transformation of the company into a more commercially-focused organisation since he took on the role in early 2016. Image: Adnoc
    Adnoc group chief executive and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr Sultan Al Jaber has overseen a transformation of the company into a more commercially-focused organisation since he took on the role in early 2016. Image: Adnoc
  • Adnoc refining operation in Ruwais. Courtesy: Adnoc
    Adnoc refining operation in Ruwais. Courtesy: Adnoc
  • Adnoc has been able to maximise the value of its assets including of its refining operations. Image: Adnoc
    Adnoc has been able to maximise the value of its assets including of its refining operations. Image: Adnoc
  • An Adnoc LNG facility. Image: Adnoc
    An Adnoc LNG facility. Image: Adnoc
  • Adnoc's Virtual Energy Centre is available to students and public interested in learning about the company. Image: Adnoc
    Adnoc's Virtual Energy Centre is available to students and public interested in learning about the company. Image: Adnoc
  • Fuel retailer Adnoc Distribution has expanded the number of its service stations. Image: Adnoc Distribution
    Fuel retailer Adnoc Distribution has expanded the number of its service stations. Image: Adnoc Distribution
  • Adnoc Distribution, the UAE’s largest fuel and convenience retailer, reported a 22% increase in third quarter profit as it nearly halved costs. Image: Adnoc
    Adnoc Distribution, the UAE’s largest fuel and convenience retailer, reported a 22% increase in third quarter profit as it nearly halved costs. Image: Adnoc
  • Adnoc's real time data monitoring centre lowered well duration by 30 per cent leading to cost savings of around $1bn. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Adnoc's real time data monitoring centre lowered well duration by 30 per cent leading to cost savings of around $1bn. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Adnoc HQ on Abu Dhabi's Corniche. On Sunday, Abu Dhabi's Supreme Petroleum Council also approved the award of new oil and gas exploration blocks under a second competitive licensing round. Image: Adnoc
    Adnoc HQ on Abu Dhabi's Corniche. On Sunday, Abu Dhabi's Supreme Petroleum Council also approved the award of new oil and gas exploration blocks under a second competitive licensing round. Image: Adnoc
  • Adnoc HQ. Reuters
    Adnoc HQ. Reuters
  • Adnoc staff during a diving at the Adnoc Logistics and Services Maritime Logistics Base in Mussafah in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
    Adnoc staff during a diving at the Adnoc Logistics and Services Maritime Logistics Base in Mussafah in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Adnoc vessels. Pawan Singh / The National
    Adnoc vessels. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Equipment at the Oil Spill Response warehouse at the Adnoc Logistics and Services Maritime Logistics Base in Mussaffah in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
    Equipment at the Oil Spill Response warehouse at the Adnoc Logistics and Services Maritime Logistics Base in Mussaffah in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Schlumberger's operations base in the ICAD II area of Mussaffah in Abu Dhabi. Schlumberger, G42 and AIQ plan to work to identify pilot projects that have the potential to be commercialised. Christopher Pike / The National
    Schlumberger's operations base in the ICAD II area of Mussaffah in Abu Dhabi. Schlumberger, G42 and AIQ plan to work to identify pilot projects that have the potential to be commercialised. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The Panorama Command Centre at Adnoc's headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Adnoc formed a joint venture with G42 in October to develop and commercialise AI products for the energy industry. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    The Panorama Command Centre at Adnoc's headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Adnoc formed a joint venture with G42 in October to develop and commercialise AI products for the energy industry. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • ADNOC's Panorama Digital Command Center. Courtesy Adnoc
    ADNOC's Panorama Digital Command Center. Courtesy Adnoc
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Scoreline

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West Ham United 1
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Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

25-MAN SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi 
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Alexander Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze 

On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai, Bryan Idowu, Ikouwem Utin, Mikel Agu, Junior Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor

The smuggler

Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. 
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.

Khouli conviction

Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.

For sale

A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.

- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico

- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000

- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950

Company Fact Box

Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

Stage: early-stage startup 

Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.

Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

Landfill in numbers

• Landfill gas is composed of 50 per cent methane

• Methane is 28 times more harmful than Co2 in terms of global warming

• 11 million total tonnes of waste are being generated annually in Abu Dhabi

• 18,000 tonnes per year of hazardous and medical waste is produced in Abu Dhabi emirate per year

• 20,000 litres of cooking oil produced in Abu Dhabi’s cafeterias and restaurants every day is thrown away

• 50 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s waste is from construction and demolition

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

If you go

The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at. 
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.   

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