Mohammed bin Rashid and Mohammed bin Zayed preside over the appointment of two new Emirati ministers of state

Under the leadership of President Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, and in the presence of the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the two new Emirati ministers of state linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation were sworn in. 

The change in the Arab nation's executive completed the announcement made by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid regarding a major reshuffle of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

"In the presence of Mohammed bin Zayed, we announce a minor cabinet reshuffle, as part of which Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan and Khalifa Shaheen al-Marar have been appointed ministers of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum himself. 

With this political move, one of the key figures of recent times in Emirati diplomacy, Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, leaves the ministry and will move on to serve as diplomatic adviser to the UAE president. Also changing his role is Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, who will serve as cultural advisor to the President of the Gulf state, as confirmed by Mohamed bin Rashid al-Maktoum himself. 

In recognition of the great work done in diplomacy and representing the UAE in the Middle East region and around the world, dealing with complicated issues such as the regional threat from Iran and Turkey's political interference in other nearby nations, Mohammed bin Rashid thanked Anwar Gargash and Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh for their services by bestowing the Order of the Union on behalf of the nation's president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed.

"The President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, awarded Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash with the Order of the Union in recognition of his role in bringing about major transformations in our foreign policy and achieving effective relations with countries in the region and around the world. Dr. Anwar will continue to serve the nation and will always be held in high esteem for his services," assured the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister. "We also honour Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh with the Order of the Union, on behalf of the UAE president, for his commendable efforts to serve the nation in cultural and diplomatic functions," he added in remarks carried by the official Emirati news agency WAM.

The swearing-in ceremony was also attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council; Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohamed bin Rashid bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Deputy Governor of Dubai; Lieutenant General Saif bin Zayed bin Zayed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Deputy Governor of Dubai; and Lieutenant General Saif bin Zayed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Deputy Governor of Dubai; Lieutenant General Saif bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid noted that the UAE Government is constantly coming up with new policies and strategies to ensure that it continues to succeed locally and regionally, as well as on the global stage, just as this year 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the country's founding. "The prospects for our journey over the next 50 years are exceptionally promising and we look forward to many more national achievements backed by the hard work, diligence and commitment of our people," added the UAE vice-president and prime minister in remarks reported by WAM.

As for the new appointments, it is worth noting that Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan was previously UAE ambassador to Saudi Arabia since 2017, a role in which he was instrumental in improving relations between the two nations. Prior to that, he worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation between 2013 and 2014. The new minister holds a degree in Applied Science and Applied Media Studies from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi and a postgraduate diploma from the Emirates Diplomatic Academy in 2017.

Meanwhile, Khalifa Shaheen al-Marar began his diplomatic career in 1978 as an attaché at the UAE Embassy in Japan. He has served as UAE ambassador to Syria, Iran and Turkey, and as non-resident ambassador to Armenia, giving him extensive experience. Al-Marar holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Economics from Sophia University in Japan and a Master's degree in Political Economy from the New School of Social Research in New York, USA.