The search for the UAE’s youth minister is over, it was revealed on Saturday – and it’s none other than national hero and astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi.
The news comes amid an announcement of new ministerial appointments by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Saturday.
In September last year, the Dubai ruler called for a suitable candidate. Within hours, thousands of Emiratis responded with applications for the post.
“We want the person to be knowledgeable about the UAE, brave and strong to represent his country and passionate to serve the motherland,” he said at the time.
On Saturday, the UAE VP revealed that they had received several nominations for the role, with one name coming up again and again: Al Niadir.
“He is one of the closest to issues related to the youth and most interested in serving and advancing them,” he said, in a post that clearly reflected the nation’s pride for the first Arab astronaut on last year’s longest space mission.
Sultan Alneyadi will continue to carry out his scientific and space-related duties in addition to the new role, Sheikh Mohammed said.
To Alneyadi, the Dubai ruler shared an inspiring message: “We want our youth to keep their feet on their land, their history, their culture and their heads in the sky.”
It is with these young people that the UAE will be able to compete with other countries, he said, adding, “We are with you in this mission.”
The 42-year-old astronaut made history last year as the first Arab spacewalker and also the first Arab to spend 186 days in space, the longest in the region’s history. During this time, he conducted more than 200 experiments during his stay on the ISS which took about 585 hours.
More appointments
Apart from the youth minister, Sheikh Mohammad announced four more appointments.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum will be the Deputy Prime Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs. Mohammed bin Mubarak Fadel Al Mazroui was appointed Minister of State for Defense as well as a member of the Council of Ministers.
Maryam bint Mohammed Almeiri, who led the UAE’s bid for COP28 and currently serves as Minister of Climate Change and Environment, will move to her new role as head of the UAE President’s Office of International Affairs at the end of her term.
Meanwhile, Dr. Amna Bint Abdullah Al Dahaq Al Shamsi will join the Council of Ministers in addition to taking over as Minister of Environment.
Wishing them all success, Sheikh Mohammed reiterated that 2024 will be the greatest in the history of the UAE so far.
