Introduction
The trajectory of the United Arab Emirates from a newly independent federation to a globally influential nation has been shaped by a succession of leaders whose strategic decisions defined each era of national development. The UAE’s governance model concentrates executive authority within the ruling families of the seven emirates, with the federal structure providing a framework for coordination and collective action. This page profiles the principal figures whose leadership has driven the federation’s transformation and who continue to shape the We the UAE 2031 agenda.
Founding Generation
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918-2004)
Sheikh Zayed served as President of the United Arab Emirates from the federation’s founding on 2 December 1971 until his passing on 2 November 2004. As Ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1966, he was the driving force behind the creation of the federation, negotiating the union of the Trucial States and establishing the constitutional framework that governs the UAE to this day. His leadership philosophy centred on the equitable distribution of oil wealth across all seven emirates, investment in human capital through universal education and healthcare, and environmental stewardship, particularly the greening of desert landscapes. Sheikh Zayed is universally regarded as the Father of the Nation, and his principles of unity, generosity, and long-term thinking continue to inform UAE governance.
Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (1912-1990)
As Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE, Sheikh Rashid laid the foundations for Dubai’s transformation into a global trade and logistics hub. His development of Port Rashid, Jebel Ali Port, Dubai International Airport, and the Dubai World Trade Centre established the infrastructure that would underpin the emirate’s economic model for decades. Sheikh Rashid’s entrepreneurial approach to governance, emphasising trade facilitation, infrastructure investment, and openness to foreign business, established principles that continue to define Dubai’s identity within the federation.
Presidential Leadership
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (1948-2022)
Sheikh Khalifa served as the second President of the UAE from 2004 until his passing in May 2022. During his presidency, the federation experienced its most dramatic period of global emergence, including the construction of the Burj Khalifa, the establishment of the Masdar Initiative, the launch of UAE Vision 2021, and the hosting of Expo 2020 Dubai. Sheikh Khalifa oversaw significant institutional modernisation, including the expansion of the federal judiciary, the establishment of Abu Dhabi Global Market, and the introduction of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development. His presidency also encompassed the UAE’s response to the 2008 financial crisis and the navigation of regional security challenges during the Arab Spring period.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was elected as the third President of the UAE in May 2022 following the passing of Sheikh Khalifa. He had previously served as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, roles in which he exercised significant influence over both defence policy and economic strategy. As President, he announced We the UAE 2031, the most comprehensive national development blueprint in the federation’s history. His leadership priorities include economic diversification beyond hydrocarbons, strengthening the federation’s global diplomatic positioning, investing in advanced technology and artificial intelligence, and consolidating social cohesion. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is widely credited with driving the Abraham Accords and the strategic reorientation of UAE foreign policy toward multi-vector engagement.
Vice Presidential and Prime Ministerial Leadership
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum serves as Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He has been the principal architect of Dubai’s transformation into a global city and the driving force behind many of the federation’s most ambitious initiatives, including Emirates Airlines’ global expansion, the Dubai International Financial Centre, the Palm Jumeirah, and the Burj Khalifa. At the federal level, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid launched the UAE Centennial 2071, the world’s longest national development vision, and has championed government innovation through programmes such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation and the annual Government Summit. His leadership style emphasises speed of execution, global benchmarking, and the application of private sector management principles to public administration.
Key Ministers and Officials Shaping Vision 2031
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan serves as Vice President of the UAE and oversees the Presidential Court. He plays a central role in coordinating federal policy across the seven emirates and managing the relationship between Abu Dhabi’s strategic priorities and the broader federal agenda. His portfolio encompasses sovereign investment strategy and international economic partnerships.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan
As Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan manages the UAE’s extensive diplomatic network and has been instrumental in negotiating the Abraham Accords, the CEPA trade agreement programme, and the federation’s accession to BRICS. His diplomatic approach combines pragmatic engagement with diverse global partners while maintaining the UAE’s strategic relationships with both Western and non-Western powers.
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber serves as Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and as CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). He also served as President-Designate of COP28, where he presided over negotiations that produced the UAE Consensus. His dual role at the intersection of hydrocarbon production and climate diplomacy reflects the UAE’s approach to managing the energy transition from within the industry. He additionally chairs Masdar, the Abu Dhabi clean energy company.
Omar Sultan Al Olama
Omar Sultan Al Olama serves as Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications. Appointed in 2017 as the world’s first Minister of Artificial Intelligence, he leads the UAE’s digital transformation strategy, including the national AI strategy, blockchain adoption frameworks, and digital government services modernisation. His portfolio is central to the technology and innovation dimensions of We the UAE 2031.
Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri
As Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, and Chair of the UAE Space Agency, Sarah Al Amiri played a leading role in the Hope Mars Mission and continues to oversee the UAE’s space programme and science education agenda. Her work bridges the education and technology pillars of the national vision, with a focus on building domestic scientific research capacity and inspiring the next generation of Emirati scientists and engineers.
Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri
Mariam Almheiri has served in multiple ministerial roles relating to climate change, environment, food security, and sustainability. Her leadership has been central to the UAE’s climate diplomacy efforts, the development of the National Food Security Strategy, and the integration of environmental sustainability as a co-equal pillar within We the UAE 2031.
Institutional Leadership
The execution of We the UAE 2031 depends not only on political leadership but on the institutional capacity of federal entities and their leaders. The Government Performance Council, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Finance, and the sectoral councils each play defined roles in translating vision targets into operational outcomes. The quality and continuity of institutional leadership at these entities will be a determining factor in whether the 2031 KPIs are achieved.
Conclusion
The UAE’s development story is inseparable from the individuals who have led it. From Sheikh Zayed’s founding vision of a united and prosperous federation to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s contemporary agenda of global competitiveness and technological leadership, each generation of leadership has built upon the strategic foundations laid by its predecessors. The ministers and officials profiled here represent the operational tier of that leadership, translating presidential vision into the programmes, reforms, and partnerships that will determine whether We the UAE 2031 achieves its stated ambitions.