New-look UAE cabinet sworn in by Sheikh Khalifa

At the opening of the solar power plant Shams 1 in Madinat Zayed, the four new ministers, as well as current Dr Abdulrahim Al Owais, took their oath.

Members of the UAE's new cabinet were sworn in by President Sheikh Khalifa on 17 March 2013. Courtesy WAM
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ABU DHABI // The President, Sheikh Khalifa, swore in the new members of the Federal Cabinet yesterday and urged them make Emiratis their top priority.

At the opening of the solar power plant Shams 1 in Madinat Zayed, the four new ministers, as well as a current one, Dr Abdul Rahman Al Owais, took an oath in front of Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

Sheikh Khalifa asked the new ministers to work “diligently and faithfully to contribute to the sustainable development of the country,” said Wam, the state news agency.

He expressed his trust in Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s new Cabinet to enact the federal Government’s strategies, and wished success for the new ministers and the whole Cabinet in its work.

“We, and the nation, and the country, are waiting for you to give more and work to continue the process of building and developing, which the country has so far achieved important steps in, and move towards wider horizons devoted to the leading position occupied by our country on the regional and global levels,” Sheikh Khalifa said. “We see you as trustworthy.”

He said he hoped the ministers would maintain Emiratis as their top priority. He also thanked them for their work for the country.

The ministers promised to double their efforts in serving the nation and its citizens, and hoped they were up to the confidence placed in them.

Sheikh Khalifa also officially passed the new Cabinet reshuffle, which moved Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak to head the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Social Development. His former role at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is taken by his brother, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak.

The new ministers include Suhail Al Mazroui, Minister of Energy and the youngest in the Cabinet, and Dr Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works, who was previously the department’s undersecretary.

The two new Ministers of State are Dr Sultan Al Jaber, also chief executive of Masdar, and Abdullah Al Ghobash.

Although Dr Al Owais was already a minister, heading the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Community Development, and acting as Minister of Health, he has now been sworn in as only the Minister of Health.

Other changes included the merger of the Ministry of Foreign Trade with the Ministry of Economy, and the formation of a new Ministry of Development and International Cooperation, to be headed by Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi.

The Ministry will be in charge of foreign aid, and expanding co-operation with international aid bodies.

The Office for Coordination of Foreign Aid, previously independent, will now fall under the ministry.

Other ministers, including Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Nahyan and Sheikh Hamdan were also there.