ABOUT THE UAE: Biographies

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, a post to which he was appointed on 9th February 2006. Since 15th July 2006, he has also been Chairman of the Board of the National Media Council.

HH Sheikh Abdullah regularly represents the UAE at Arab and international conferences and meetings, including the annual United Nations General Assembly, Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (AGCC), Arab League, Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

His other official posts include those of Chairman of the Board of Emirates Media Incorporated, since 24th January 1999, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Foundation, since 12th July 2005, and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, ADFD, since 31st December 2005.

A graduate in Political Science from the Emirates University, Al Ain, in 1995, HH Sheikh Abdullah's first official post was as Under Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Culture, which he held from 16th April 1995 to 23rd March 1997. On that date, he was appointed Minister of Information and Culture, a portfolio which he continued to hold until 9th February 2006, when he became Minister of Foreign Affairs.

An active follower of football, HH Sheikh Abdullah was Chairman of the UAE Football Association from 5th December 1993 to 19th May 2001 and has served as Chairman of the UAE Football General Assembly since 2004. Also interested in classical music, he is Honorary Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Classical Music Committee. His other interests include reading and history.

Born in Abu Dhabi on 30th April 1972, HH Sheikh Abdullah is married to Her Highness Sheikha Eliaziah bint Saif Al Nahyan. They have two children, a son and a daughter.