EMIRATES
Links to the GSN's World pages and archives for Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates
Abu Dhabi - resources on key people, personalities and issues in Abu Dhabi, including articles from GSN's extensive archive
Dubai - resources on key people, personalities and issues in Dubai, including articles from GSN's extensive archive
Northern Emirates - resources on key people, personalities and issues in the Northern Emirates, including articles from GSN's extensive archive
FEDERAL
Below you will find a selction of resources on key people and personalities in the UAE federal government, plus links to the GSN's World UAE federal archives
The players - resources on key people and personalities in the UAE federal government.
Issues and ideas - a selection of articles on key topics affecting the UAE.
Perspectives: from the GSN archive - articles and links to the GSN's World federal archive.
| The players – federal government |
UAE government list and other notables
Who's who in the government and other senior positions.
Published May 2009. 
Download the PDF
New ruler’s representative
President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan on 14 June issued a decree appointing Sheikh Saeed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan as his representative.
Issue 879, 18 June 2010. 
more
Cabinet reshuffle prompts speculation about family politics
Considerable speculation persists about the government reshuffle announced by federal Prime Minister and Vice President, and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (MBR) on 11 May. Two new deputy prime ministers (DPMs) have been appointed to the cabinet – Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, who retains his post as Interior Minister, and Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, who also remains minister for presidential affairs – while two ministers swapped portfolios: Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al-Qattami is now education minister, while Hanif Bin Hassan Ali took over at Health.
Issue 853, 15 May 2009. more
MBR means business in cabinet reshuffle
Mohammed Bin Rashid is stamping his mark on the UAE’s government, with a focus on efficient administration rather than political or market liberalisation.
Issue 824, 29 February 2008.more
Who’s who: Profiles of key figures
A listing of some of the movers and shakers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. The list have focuses on the
executives most closely identified with UAE rulers,who have delivered up so many big projects in recent years.
Issue 788, 15 September 2006. more (Also see Issue 788: Government, ruling families and business – a crucial convergence)
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Abu Dhabi
All eyes on Adia following Sheikh Ahmed’s death
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, a son of the UAE’s founding president, has died after a microlight aircraft he was learning to fly crashed in Morocco on 26 March. Sheikh Ahmed was managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia) and had substantial business interests. He was born in 1969 to the late sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan and his prominent wife Sheikha Mozah Bint Suhail Bin Awaidha Al-Khaili. His older full brother is deputy prime minister and interior minister Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed; he reportedly had three other full brothers. In 2003, Sheikh Ahmed married Alyazia Bint Hamad Bin Suhail Al-Khaili.
Issue 874, 9 April 2010. more
Mubadala’s 2009 results warrant close inspection
Abu Dhabi’s ambitious Mubadala Development Company has released results for 2009, which are better than those for 2008, although it appears MDC is substantially dependent on government-related operational activities, external investments and shares in foreign entities to offset losses elsewhere in its portfolio to make an overall profit.
Issue 874, 9 April 2010. more
Read more of GSN's Abu Dhabi coverage
Dubai
Financial turmoil stimulates dialogue for change in Dubai’s government
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum might argue that the financial turmoil is over, but an increasing number of nationals are asking whether a more rigorous reappraisal of legislation and business practices is necessary for Dubai to emerge from its traumatic debt crisis as a more transparent place to do business
Issue 881, 16 July 2010. more
No respite for Dubai as Dubai Holding real estate arm reports multi-billion dollar losses
Figures raise concerns over group’s management capabilities as well as the emirate’s continuing debt burden
Issue 878, 4 June 2010. more
New emirate-focused RMR comes as Dubai reshuffles and restructures
Risk management report
Issue 875, 23 April 2010. more
Read more of GSN's Dubai coverage
Finance and economy
ECIE unscathed by payments default
Recently created credit insurer Export Credit Insurance Company of the Emirates had a successful first year despite the Dubai debt crisis and other effects of the global credit crunch.
Issue 879, 18 June 2010. more
Abu Dhabi in the spotlight as its GRE receive ratings downgrades and Adia issues first review
Six Abu Dhabi government-related entities and UAE state-owned Etisalat have been downgraded, while Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s first review lacks detail
Issue 873, 19 March 2010. more
Diversification a success, but leveraged economy now causing problems
Risk management report
Issue 873, 19 March 2010. more
The Dubai crisis has put relations with Abu Dhabi under the spotlight – and the fallout will be huge
The genesis of the crisis, and the confused and opaque manner with which it has been handled, raises questions about the viability of traditional ruling models without the support of sovereign state institutions and accountability. Meanwhile, the delicate balance of Abu Dhabi-Dubai relations has shifted again
Issue 867, 4 December 2009. more
Also see Issue 867, 4 December 2009. What has yet to emerge from the crisis?; Issue 865, 20 November 2009. Downturn’s all over now, federation united, MBR says; Issue 854, 29 May 2009. Trade financiers see hopeful signs in return of GCC liquidity
Regional relations
Border issues pose potential for conflict
Public tensions have died down following reports of a skirmish between Emirati and Saudi vessels that was blamed on a dispute over the route of the Dolphin pipeline which brings Qatari gas to the UAE (GSN 874/1). But outstanding border issues continue to stoke tensions in several Gulf jurisdictions, with upsurges in nationalist sentiment showing that feelings over territory and sovereignty remain important in states that are only a few decades old.
Issue 875, 23 April 2010. more
Saudi-UAE naval clash over Dolphin pipeline points to brittle GCC relations
Both parties have yet to deny or confirm the incident, but a reported clash between Saudi and Emirati patrol boats has attracted much media attention and highlighted the potential for friction among GCC allies that has provoked renewed fears for Gulf security
Issue 874, 9 April 2010. more
TOP
| Perspectives: from the GSN archive |
Foreign colleges get headlines, UAE nationals fear crisis of education
It is not just financial management and governance that is worrying the professional classes and other stakeholders in Dubai. There is growing concern about the education system, which the commercial emirate has until very recently insisted it manages itself. Now, according to a senior publicly appointed official in the UAE’s higher education sector, Dubai is to return its education portfolio to federal level.
Issue 881, 16 July 2010. more
Lubna Al-Qasimi: US meetings
Emirati foreign trade minister Sheikha Lubna Bin Khalid Al-Qasimi has held talks in Washington with US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and undersecretary of state for political affairs William Burns.
Issue 879, 18 June 2010. more
Big insurer elects new board
One of the UAE’s largest insurers, Oman Insurance Company (OIC), has elected a new board after all seven members resigned “for personal reasons”.
Issue 879, 18 June 2010. more
ECIE unscathed by payments default
Recently created credit insurer Export Credit Insurance Company of the Emirates had a successful first year despite the Dubai debt crisis and other effects of the global credit crunch.
Issue 879, 18 June 2010. more
Waha Capital raises funds for military
Abu Dhabi-based Waha Capital has said it has a mandate to raise $3.3bn for the UAE’s military. Waha chief executive Salem Rashid Al-Nuaimi said: “We’ve been mandated to raise funding for the military to the tune of Dh12bn.”
Issue 878, 4 June 2010. more
Rifles order
The UAE has agreed to buy $560,000-worth of specialised assault rifles from South Korea. The order for 40 K11 airburst rifles makes the UAE the first foreign customer for the weapon
Issue 878, 4 June 2010. more
Risk management report
Few signs of real recovery as leveraged economy still causing problems
Issue 878, 4 June 2010. more
Abu Dhabi and France edge closer to Rafale deal
While the United States has become a key strategic partner for the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi’s old alliance with France holds strong. This seems to be very good news for Dassault, as the UAE looks to buy advance fighters that will help to ensure its security with Iran among the potential threats in mind
Issue 877, 21 May 2010. more
MBZ and other bin Zayeds: International relations
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed had held a meeting with Morocco’s foreign affairs minister Taieb Fassi Al-Fihri. Federal foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed has been in Kabul, for talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Issue 877, 21 May 2010. more
Border issues pose potential for conflict
Public tensions have died down following reports of a skirmish between Emirati and Saudi vessels that was blamed on a dispute over the route of the Dolphin pipeline which brings Qatari gas to the UAE (GSN 874/1). But outstanding border issues continue to stoke tensions in several Gulf jurisdictions, with upsurges in nationalist sentiment showing that feelings over territory and sovereignty remain important in states that are only a few decades old.
Issue 875, 23 April 2010. more
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM THE ARCHIVES
Links to the GSN's World UAE Federal archives and GSN's World pages for Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates
2008-2010 UAE – Federal archive
2006-2007 UAE – Federal archive
Pre-2003-2005 UAE – Federal archive
GSN's Abu Dhabi page and archives
GSN's World Dubai page and archives
GSN's World Northern Emirates page and archives
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