Mohammed bin Zayed: Policymaker of the Modern UAE, Godfather of Economic Diversity

Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrives in London, on Sept. 16, 2021. (AP)
Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrives in London, on Sept. 16, 2021. (AP)
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Mohammed bin Zayed: Policymaker of the Modern UAE, Godfather of Economic Diversity

Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrives in London, on Sept. 16, 2021. (AP)
Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrives in London, on Sept. 16, 2021. (AP)

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is the third president of the United Arab Emirates and the driving force behind the country's modern policies.

He is the third youngest brother to late President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed.

In the past decade, he represented his country at various negotiations tackling several sectors, such as energy, defense, investment and politics, taking over from Sheikh Khalifa after he suffered a stroke in 2014.

Sheikh Mohamed also worked on bolstering the UAE's international relations, through his meeting with world leaders and participation at international events.

He is the third son of the UAE's founder and first president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He is married and a father to four sons and five daughters.

He was born on March 10, 1961. At 18, he completed his school education in Abu Dhabi and al-Ain. He completed his higher studies in the UAE and UK.

In 1979, he graduated from the UK's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. In the UAE, he joined the armed forces, rising up the ranks until becoming supreme commander of the UAE armed forces.

He played a major role in developing the armed forces in terms of strategic planning, training, organizational structure and bolstering state defenses. His leadership and role helped transform the UAE armed forces into a pioneering institutions that is recognized by several international military institutions.

Sheikh Mohammed also occupies several political, legislative and economic positions in the UAE. He is known to have exerted major efforts in improving educational standards in Abu Dhabi, allowing it to become among the best internationally.

As Chairman of the Department of Education and Knowledge, he sought to establish partnerships with world renowned educational institutions. Many of them have since opened branches in Abu Dhabi.

On the economic level, he worked directly in drafting economic development plans, focusing on diversifying sources of income away from oil.

In 2015, he famously told the Government Summit in Dubai: "Our best bet at this period of time where we have wealth is to invest all our resources in education."

"There will be a time, 50 years from now, when we load the last barrel of oil aboard the ship. The question is, 50 years from now after we have loaded this last barrel of oil, are we going to feel sad? If our investment today is right, I think we will celebrate that moment."

Sheikh Mohammed also played a major role in bolstering the role of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority in searching for development sectors across the UAE. He played a major role in global investments by joining ventures that align with Abu Dhabi's visions.

He has played a significant role in localizing technologies and providing jobs, especially in the oil, gas, petrochemicals, military industries, entertainment and tourism sectors.

His efforts breathed life in the oil, industry, sports, tourism and cultural sectors, cementing Abu Dhabi and the UAE's position as the second strongest in the Arab world.

Sheikh Mohammed has been recognized for his role in bolstering tolerance between various religions and sects. He paid a visit to the Vatican in 2016 and welcomed Pope Francis to the UAE in 2019, in the first papal visit to the Arabian peninsula.

He played a regional and international role in combating violent extremism and was a main signatory of the peace agreement signed between the UAE and Israel in 2020.

Sheikh Mohammed is passionate about nature and falconry. He is the founder and chairman of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and honorary president of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

He has championed the preservation of the environment, adopting several renewable energy projects, notably the futuristic city of Masdar in Abu Dhabi.



Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.