ABOUT THE UAE: Biographies

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces

His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan holds a wide range of policy, legislative and economic responsibilities in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.  The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi since November 2004, HH Sheikh Mohamed was appointed Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces in January 2005.

Since December 2004, HH Sheikh Mohamed has held the position of Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.  Under the guidance of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, the Executive Council, the Emirate’s key policy-making body, oversees the development and implementation of strategic social and economic policies for the benefit of Abu Dhabi.  Before assuming his current responsibilities, HH Sheikh Mohamed held the position of Deputy Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi from November 2003 to November 2004, and Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council from January 2004 to December 2004.

HH Sheikh Mohamed has a strong interest in policy and legislative matters.  He is President of the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research and participates in a range of policy and legislative deliberations in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.  HH Sheikh Mohamed is an active member of the Supreme Petroleum Council, which has responsibility for all oil and energy policy matters in the UAE.  He is Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development, which retains significant responsibilities for economic planning in the Emirate.  Perhaps above all, the provision of quality education in Abu Dhabi and the UAE is one of HH Sheikh Mohamed’s highest priorities, and he has been appointed President of the Abu Dhabi Education Council.

In addition to these responsibilities, HH Sheikh Mohamed is Chairman of Mubadala Development Company, a wholly-owned, principal investment vehicle of the Abu Dhabi Government.  Mubadala Development Company seeks out investment decisions that not only generate commercial returns, but also deliver sustainable social and economic benefits to Abu Dhabi.

HH Sheikh Mohamed has a military background.  In 1993 he was appointed Chief-of-Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, and has since held a range of senior positions in a distinguished military career.  He was promoted to full General in January 2005.  HH Sheikh Mohamed’s military experience includes commanding an armor troop, a Gazelle helicopter squadron, the Air School and the Air College.  He has also held the positions of Deputy Chief-of-Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, and Commander of the UAE Air Forces and Air Defense. 

In addition to his military responsibilities, HH Sheikh Mohamed was the principal advisor on security issues to the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.          

HH Sheikh Mohamed is a highly respected international figure, building on Abu Dhabi’s proud diplomatic history.  He has received numerous citations and decorations from the UAE, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Qatar, the Kingdom of Morocco, Pakistan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Italy. 

HH Sheikh Mohamed completed his formal education in the UAE and England, graduating from Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1979.  Born in 1961, he is married and has nine children.