His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
President of the UAE

Who is His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan?

HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was born in Al Ain on 11 March 1961. His full name is Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa bin Shakhbout bin Theyab bin Issa bin Nahyan bin Falah bin Yas. He is the third son of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding President of the UAE. He grew up under the watchful eye of his father and his mother, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. Sheikh Mohamed is married to Her Highness Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, and has four sons and five daughters.

His education

He was educated at schools in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi until the age of 18. In 1979, he joined the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he got trained in armour, helicopter flying, tactical flying and para troops. After graduating in April 1979, he returned home to the UAE to join the Officers' Training Course in Sharjah.

Personal interests

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is known for his passion for hunting and falconry, a love which was passed on to him by his father.
He also maintains a deep interest in poetry, especially that of the Nabati style which is native to the region. He regularly sponsors poetry competitions and other events and demonstrates commitment to cultural, artistic, literary and innovation-based initiatives in the community.
Sheikh Mohamed also follows a number of sports in the UAE and regularly meets Emirati sportsmen and women to recognise their achievements.

His election and titles

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. He was elected on Saturday 14^th  May 2022 by decision of their highnesses, the members of the Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council since 2004.
He served as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi from 2004 until 2022. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. He also served as Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces from 1993 to 2005, before assuming the role of Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Working alongside the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the rulers of the other emirates, His Highness has dedicated his life in service to advancing the UAE’s social, economic and cultural development with the goal of realising a more secure, flourishing, and sustainable future for his country and people.

Key milestones

Building a secure and thriving society

Following in the footsteps of the late Sheikh Zayed and the late Sheikh Khalifa, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan prioritises investments in infrastructure and regional security as enablers of the wellbeing of people. He has:

Prioritised the growth and advancement of higher education across Abu Dhabi​

• He prioritised the development of strong national character, focusing on investing in sports
• He has overseen the launch of the UAE’s Compulsory Military Service in 2014
• He supported the launch of initiatives to foster an inclusive and flourishing society through the launch of the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination
• He invested in partnerships that led to the establishment of world-class healthcare and Research and Development facilities
• He Promoted high-quality investments that have energised the military industries e.g. Edge and Tawazun.
• He Supported the development of Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure and economy, most notably through (Ghadan 21), an accelerator programme launched in 2018 with a budget of 50 billion AED.

Enabling a sustainable future

His Highness has made sustainable socioeconomic development a foundational pillar of the nation’s ambitions. His ongoing oversight of major national organisations including the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and Mubadala Investment Company has underpinned economic growth and diversification efforts. His accomplishments include:

• Mandating the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, in line with the vision of the late Sheikh Khalifa.The Vision was launched in 2008 to accelerate the knowledge economy, invigorate the private sector and deliver the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Spurring economic activity in sectors of the future, most notably in sustainable energy, food and water security, biotechnology and robotics
• Ushering in a new era of investment in renewable energy, research and technology, and sustainable urban development through the creation of Masdar in 2006
• Directing the transformation of ADNOC in 2016 from a traditional national oil company to an energy group with more commercial and investment focus
• Enhancing the UAE’s position as a partner in countering the effects of climate change through the nation’s Net Zero by 2050 strategy in 2021 and naming the UAE’s first Climate Envoy
• Overseeing the creation and delivery of the UAE’s ground-breaking peaceful Barakah nuclear power plant, the first in the Arab world
• Establishing one of the region’s most important environmental regulators, the Environment Agency—Abu Dhabi, committed to enhancing air quality, groundwater and the biodiversity of the Emirate
• Leading significant conservation efforts to protect the falcon, houbara bustard and Arabian oryx in the UAE and internationally
• Championing the creative industries and making Abu Dhabi a global centre of art and culture while celebrating and preserving local heritage for future generations​

Collaborating to solve challenges facing humanity

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is committed to collaborating across countries to create a better future for humanity. His Highness directly supports and advocates for initiatives that protect and advance humanity and human dignity, including supporting many countries and communities in need.