Mohammed Al Gergawi

His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi
Minister of Cabinet Affairs
Personal details
Born	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Occupation	Minister of Cabinet Affairs

Mohammad Al Gergawi (Arabic: محمد القرقاوي‎‎) is the Minister of Cabinet Affairs in the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates. He leads the development of the UAE Federal Government Strategy and oversees its overall delivery and performance. He is the chairman of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Executive Office and Foundation.

Biography

Early Life and Educational Background

Al Gergawi was born in Dubai in 1963. He completed his primary and secondary school education in the emirate. He subsequently went on to attain a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in the USA at Eastern Michigan University. In 1994, Gergawi joined the Exhibition Department at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Shortly afterwards he was appointed to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry as Executive Director for Trade and Industrial Development where he remained until 2004.^[1]

Political career

Al Gergawi was appointed Chairman of the Executive Office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. In 2003, he became the first Secretary-General of the Dubai Government's Executive Council. In 2006 he assumed the post of Minister of Cabinet Affairs, in charge of the Secretariat of the Cabinet and the Prime Minister's Office, which oversees the Federal Strategy and delivery of the Federal Government and various ministries. He subsequently became Deputy Chairman of the Ministerial Council for Services, among other positions.

Notable Initiatives

In 2007, Al Gergawi was appointed Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. He also serves as Chairman of the Emirates Competitiveness Council, Deputy Chairman of the Emirates Investment Authority and led the launch of the UAE Government Leaders Program. While serving in various capacities, Al Gergawi has overseen several initiatives such as the launch of Knowledge Village, Dubai Healthcare City, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Arab Management Award and Mohammed bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development. He was at the center of the launch of the Dubai Strategy ; supervised the inception of the Dubai Government Excellence Award; and was the first Coordinator of the Dubai Shopping Festival, among other initiatives.

Business Contributions

Al Gergawi has led various developments during his tenure as Chairman of the Senior Executive Board of Dubai Holding, from 2004 until the present day. He has also held the chairmanship of the Dubai Investment and Development Authority, and played a central role in the establishment of the Dubai International Financial Center and the Dubai Quality Award.

Higher Education Contributions

Al Gergawi is a member of the UAEU Council, and member of Abu Dhabi University's Board of Trustees. He is an Honorary Fellow of the London Business School, and Founding President of the Dubai School of Government. He also led the establishment of the Dubai Institute for Human Resource Development.

Media Contribution

Al Gergawi was assigned to establish Dubai Media Incorporated as Managing Director. He oversaw the inception of Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, the Dubai Press Club, the Arab Journalism Award and chaired the Organizing Committee of the Arab Media Forum in 2001.

Regional Contributions

In 2004 Al Gergawi became the Founding Chairman of the Young Arab Leaders, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Arab Strategy Forum in 2006. Al Gergawi is the Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, which was established in 2007 with a donation from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president of the UAE and ruler of Dubai. The educational foundation works to improve the standards of research and education within the region.^[2]

Social Development Accomplishments

Al Gergawi has made great strides in elevating the level of social and community services in the UAE. He played a crucial part in the inception of the Dubai Autism Center, and chaired Al Ahli Sports Club. In addition, he is one of the founders of the UAE Disabled Sports Federation.

Regional Achievements

As an enthusiastic regional activist, Al Gergawi became the Founding Chairman of the Young Arab Leaders in 2004, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Arab Strategy Forum in 2006. The Dubai Smart City project committee Chairman, Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al Gergawi. Chairman of the Islamic Economy Sector for turning Dubai into the center of Islamic commerce. Chairman of the smart government project for the UAE.

International Accomplishments

Al Gergawi is a consistent delegate at the World Economic Forum in Davos, in addition to presiding over the meetings of the Global Agenda. He also chaired the session "World Economic Forum on Growth", held in China in 2007. Moreover, he was instrumental in the India Economic Summit in 2005 as Co-Chairman. In 2014, Gergawi was a keynote speaker at the World Green Economy Summit held in Dubai.^[3]

Awards & Recognition

In the UAE, the wider region and the world at large, Al Gergawi has been the recipient of numerous honors and recognitions. These include the Moroccan Royal Order of Merit, which was bestowed upon him by His Majesty King Mohammad VI of Morocco in 2005; and the American Business Award from the American Business Council in 2000, among others. In 2014, Al Gergawi was awarded the ‘Key to Dubai’ at the RE Con Awards, for his contribution to the development of Dubai.^[4]

References