Ministry of Foreign Affairs (United Arab Emirates)
| وزارة الخارجية | |
| Ministry overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 9 December 1971 |
| Jurisdiction | Federal government of the United Arab Emirates |
| Headquarters | Khor Qirqishan Street, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| Ministers responsible |
|
| Website | mofa.gov.ae |
| This article is part of a series on the |
| Politics of the United Arab Emirates |
|---|
| United Arab Emirates portal |
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) (Arabic: وزارة الخارجية) is a federal government ministry in the United Arab Emirates responsible for overseeing the country's diplomatic relations as well as its foreign policy. The ministry is also responsible for maintaining UAE's government offices abroad with diplomatic and consular status.[1]
History
The MoFA was established on 9 December 1971, shortly after the formation of the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971, serving as the country's identity and vision for the world. MoFA is responsible for formulating and implementing the UAE's foreign policy.[2]
Leadership
On 9 February 2006, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan assumed the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs. Sheikh Al Nahyan was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister in mid-2024.[3]
This is a list of foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates.[4]
| No. | Portrait | Name
(Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Prime Minister(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | ||||
| 1 | Ahmed Bin Khalifa Al Suwaidi
أحمد بن خليفة السويدي (1937–) |
9 December 1971 | 20 November 1990 | 18 years, 346 days | Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
(1971–1979) (1979–1990) | |
| 2 | Rashid Abdullah Al Nuaimi
راشد عبدالله النعيمي |
20 November 1990 | 4 January 2006 | 15 years, 45 days | Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
(1990–2006) | |
| 4 | Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan
عبدالله بن زايد آل نهيان (1972–) |
9 February 2006 | Incumbent | 19 years, 315 days | Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
(2006–present) | |
Core functions
Along with foreign policy, the Ministry's major functions include:[2]
- Represent the UAE in forums, summits, and international organizations.
- Managing and overseeing diplomatic and consular missions abroad.
- Consular services for UAE citizens abroad.
- Negotiate, sign, and oversee international treaties and agreements.
- Promote UAE values, culture, and foreign-policy worldwide.
- Engage in economic diplomacy - trade, investments, economic and development projects.
- Administer humanitarian and foreign-aid.
References
- ^ "مرسوم بقانون اتحادي في شأن تنظيم وزارة الخارجية" (in Arabic). UAE Legislation. 1 October 2024.
- ^ a b "About the ministry". www.mofa.gov.ae. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ "نائب رئيس مجلس الوزراء ووزير الخارجية". www.mofa.gov.ae (in Arabic). Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ "مجلس الوزراء من 1971 وحتى 2008" (in Arabic). Al Bayan. 17 February 2008.