Biography of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Early Life and Ascension to Leadership: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was born in 1949 and is a prominent figure in the UAE’s political and economic development. On January 4, 2006, he became the Ruler of Dubai following the death of his brother, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. His leadership in Dubai was soon recognized on the national level.
Political Leadership: The day after his ascension, on January 5, 2006 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was elected by the members of the Federal Supreme Council as the UAE’s Vice President. The following day, the President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, nominated him for the position of Prime Minister. The nomination was approved by the Supreme Council, and Sheikh Mohammed began his tenure as Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.
On February 11, 2006, Sheikh Mohammed and his Cabinet took their oath of office before Sheikh Khalifa at Al Bateen Palace in Abu Dhabi, marking the beginning of a transformative era for the UAE.
Key Initiatives and Vision for the Future: Sheikh Mohammed has been a driving force behind numerous visionary initiatives that have shaped the UAE’s development. One of his first major accomplishments was the unveiling of the UAE Government Strategy in 2007. This strategy aimed to achieve sustainable development, optimize the use of federal resources, and ensure greater accountability and transparency across the government.
In 2010, Sheikh Mohammed launched the UAE Vision 2021, which aimed to position the UAE as one of the world’s leading nations by its Golden Jubilee in 2021. The initiative focused on areas such as education, infrastructure, and economic development.
Further, in 2014, he introduced a seven-year National Agenda to advance the UAE Vision 2021. This plan included strategic goals aimed at improving the country’s competitiveness and driving innovation in various sectors.
Recognizing the need for long-term planning, Sheikh Mohammed launched the UAE Centennial 2071 in 2017. This ambitious plan outlined a roadmap for the next five decades, aiming to prepare the UAE for future challenges and ensure that it remains one of the best countries in the world by 2071.
Cabinet Reshuffles and Government Reforms: To ensure the UAE government remained agile and adaptive to evolving needs, Sheikh Mohammed oversaw 14 cabinet reshuffles. These changes reflected a commitment to keeping pace with emerging trends and national priorities.
In the second half of 2021, Sheikh Mohammed introduced a new strategy for federal government work, emphasizing speed, priority-setting, and efficiency. He also directed all government
BY… ALAM
