UAE Leadership Names Two Strategic Ministers of State
UAE leadership announced two new Ministers of State, marking a major development in the nation’s government. Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, named Lana Nusseibeh and Saeed Al Hajeri as Ministers of State on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The announcement came through X (formerly Twitter) after Sheik Mohammed consulted with President Sheik Mohamed.
Lana Nusseibeh’s previous role was Assistant Minister for Political Affairs and Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. She made history as UAE’s first female Permanent Representative to the United Nations, a position she held from September 2013 to April 2024. Saeed Al Hajeri brings strong economic credentials to his new role. The World Economic Forum recognized him among their Top 250 Young Global Leaders in 2007. Sheik Mohammed wished both appointees success in their current and future duties.
Sheik Mohammed appoints Lana Nusseibeh and Saeed Al Hajeri
His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum appointed two strategic figures to the UAE government’s leadership structure on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai welcomed Lana Zaki Nusseibeh and Saeed Mubarak Rashed Al Hajeri as Ministers of State to strengthen the federal government’s capabilities.
The Announcement Details
Sheik Mohammed shared the ministerial appointments through his social media account on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday afternoon. These appointments are part of the UAE federal government’s strategic restructuring.
The UAE leadership chose X as their platform to maintain transparent and direct public communication. The UAE Media Office and the Emirates News Agency (WAM) later confirmed these appointments through official channels.
Sheik Mohammed stated: “Following consultations with His Highness Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we announce today the appointment of Lana Nusseibeh and Saeed Al Hajeri as Ministers of State in the UAE Government”. News outlets quickly picked up the early afternoon announcement and shared it widely.
The UAE Cabinet website and government media platforms published the news simultaneously. This coordinated approach helped reach domestic and international audiences effectively.
The announcement appeared in both Arabic and English to reach the widest possible audience. This bilingual approach highlighted these appointments’ international significance, especially given Nusseibeh’s diplomatic experience.
These ministerial appointments reflect the UAE’s recent approach to governance. Such announcements often signal policy changes or renewed focus on specific national interests.
Consultation with President Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed
Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid emphasized the collaborative decision-making process with UAE President His Highness Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The consultation appeared prominently in Sheik Mohammed’s personal announcement, official communications, and media coverage.
The UAE’s governance model values coordination between top leadership for major federal decisions. This ensures alignment with the nation’s strategic vision and priorities.
The announcements came “under the directives of President His Highness Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan”. This consistent messaging across official sources reinforced the President’s role in shaping the federal government.
The collaborative approach between Sheik Mohammed and Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed showcases the UAE’s cohesive leadership style. Their coordination ensures these appointments serve both immediate needs and long-term strategies.
Presidential consultation places these appointments within the UAE’s governance framework. This signals the unified leadership’s full support to domestic and international audiences.
Official Statements and Public Response
Sheik Mohammed wished both ministers success on X: “We wish them every success in carrying out their current and future responsibilities and extend our appreciation to all our national teams across the UAE for their dedication and service”.
His statement recognized individual achievements while appreciating collective efforts – a hallmark of his leadership communications.
Gulf News quoted Sheik Mohammed: “Brothers and sisters, after consultation with my brother, President His Highness Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we announce today the appointment of Lana Nusseibeh and Saeed Al Hajeri as Ministers of State in the UAE Cabinet”.
The Gulf Today shared a variant: “Brothers and sisters, following consultations with my brother Sheik Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Lana Nusseibeh and Saeed Al Hajeri as Ministers of State for the UAE government”.
Social media responded positively, highlighting both appointees’ qualifications. People noted their diplomatic and economic expertise as valuable additions to the UAE Cabinet.
The National News reported that “the latest appointments will further strengthen the UAE Cabinet as it seeks to guide development in the country and on the global stage”.
Media outlets described these changes as part of “sweeping changes to the federal government” to “boost operational efficiency across various sectors”.
These appointments follow recent governmental changes. Sheik Mohammed had appointed Ahmed Al Sayegh as Minister of Health just a week earlier, showing ongoing governmental optimization.
Nusseibeh brings diplomatic expertise as the UAE’s first woman Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2013 to 2024. Al Hajeri’s economic background supports the UAE’s financial development goals.
Ministers of State often lead specific strategic portfolios aligned with national priorities. Though their exact portfolios remain unspecified, their backgrounds suggest areas where they might provide leadership.
The simultaneous appointments demonstrate the UAE’s commitment to bringing diverse expertise into its highest government levels. This coordinated approach strengthens specific areas of governmental capability.
New ministers bring diplomatic and economic expertise
Image Source: The National News
The UAE government welcomes two new Ministers of State who bring rich international experience and deep expertise. Lana Zaki Nusseibeh and Saeed Mubarak Rashid Al Hajeri have strong credentials that support the nation’s strategic vision and global goals.
Lana Nusseibeh’s UN and foreign affairs background
Lana Zaki Nusseibeh stands out as one of UAE’s top diplomats with over 10 years of outstanding service at the United Nations. She became Minister of State after serving as Assistant Minister for Political Affairs and Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. This promotion builds on her role as the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations from September 2013 to April 2024.
President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan made history by appointing Nusseibeh as UAE’s first female Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in September 2013. She took on several high-ranking positions within the organization. She served as Vice-President of the General Assembly for the 72nd session in 2017 and led the UN Women Executive Board that same year.
Her diplomatic work goes beyond representation. She helped shape UN policies and structures. From 2018, she led the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council Reform as Co-Chair. She guided key discussions about institutional changes within the UN framework. She also co-led the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the UN General Assembly between 2016 and 2017. This work showed her dedication to building stronger international governance systems.
Nusseibeh co-chaired the review of the World Summit on the Information Society outcomes in 2015. She has co-chaired the Friends of the Future of the UN (FFUN) with the UK’s Permanent Representative since 2015. This select group meets often to discuss pressing issues about the organization’s future.
She earned both her MA (Cantab) and BA (Hons) in History from the University of Cambridge. In 2003, she completed an MA with Distinction in Israeli and Jewish Diaspora Studies from SOAS, University of London. This education gave her unique insights into Middle Eastern dynamics that help her diplomatic work.
Before joining the UN, Nusseibeh created and led the Policy Planning Department at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2009 to 2012. She represented the UAE as Deputy Sherpa at the G20 Leaders’ Summit during France’s Presidency in 2011. This showed her skill in handling complex international economic forums.
She served as the UAE Co-Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan from 2010 to 2011. This role gave her direct experience with conflict zones and crisis management. Earlier, she led the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Campaign Task Force at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This work showed her commitment to UAE’s sustainability goals.
The UAE federal government has boosted its capabilities by appointing Lana Nusseibeh and Saeed Al Hajeri as Ministers of State. Their expertise lines up with the nation’s regional and global ambitions. Nusseibeh comes with over ten years of outstanding diplomatic service at the United Nations. Al Hajeri brings deep financial knowledge and investment leadership from his work with sovereign wealth funds and various board positions.
Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid and President Sheik Mohamed have picked leaders who directly support key national priorities. These choices show the UAE leadership’s progressive approach to governance. From international diplomacy and conflict resolution to economic diversification and strategic investments, the ministers’ backgrounds match the country’s needs. The top leaders’ direct consultation before these appointments shows their shared vision for the UAE government.
The new ministers bring complementary skills that will make the UAE stronger. Nusseibeh’s background in multilateral diplomacy and global governance helps advance the UAE’s international agenda. Al Hajeri’s financial knowledge supports the country’s economic changes and connections with rising economic powers.
The UAE leadership thought over the timing of these appointments to strengthen specific government capabilities. Regional challenges and changes in the global economy needed the right expertise. The UAE has always brought diverse talent into its highest government positions. This approach has helped build a government that can direct complex international situations effectively.
These strategic appointments show how the UAE has grown into a key regional and global player. The new ministers will help the government work on its ambitious national plans. Their expertise will boost international diplomacy and economic growth in the coming years.
