The UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has appointed Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed as Vice President and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in a series of major appointments that reflect a significant change in the country’s leadership structure.
Sheikh Mohamed named Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed as Deputy Rulers of Abu Dhabi.
The appointment was made with the “approval of the UAE Federal Supreme Council, to appoint Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Minister of Presidential Court, as UAE Vice President, alongside His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai,” the statement carried by Wam read.
The appointments signal a new phase in the UAE’s leadership and its commitment to pursuing economic growth and development while maintaining political stability.
Sheikh Mansour has held several important roles in politics, business, and wealth funds in Abu Dhabi. As chairman of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, he has overseen a major revamp of local laws to provide better protection for expatriates. Additionally, he has spearheaded the Emiratisation programme as head of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council.
Sheikh Khaled is the eldest son of the UAE president. He is also a member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of both the Abu Dhabi Executive Committee and the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, according to his Wikipedia profile.
In February 2016, Sheikh Khaled was appointed Head of National Security. In January 2017, he was named Deputy National Security Adviser.
He has also overseen many of the emirate’s biggest recent development projects, including its highly successful start-up incubator, Hub71.
Sheikh Tahnoun is the National Security Adviser and holds prominent roles in some of Abu Dhabi’s largest state-owned companies.
Sheikh Hazza, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, is similarly involved in the government, sports clubs, and businesses.