UAE to create ‘Minister for Happiness’ post

Emir of Dubai says position is being created to ensure satisfaction of citizens

The premier of the United Arab Emirates has announced to create a “Minister for Happiness” post to ensure the government’s policies are aligned to create social good and satisfaction among the country’s citizens.

A new post, Minister of State for Happiness, will align and drive government policy to create social good and satisfaction.#WorldGovSummit

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 8, 2016

The announcement was made by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum, who is also the Emir of Dubai, in a series of Twitter messages after he appeared at the World Government Summit being hosted by the emirate.

The President of the UAE has approved the largest structural change in the history
of our federal government. #WorldGovSummit

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 8, 2016

Besides announcing the merger of a number of ministries, Sheikh Mohammed also said a state position will also be created for a minister to oversee tolerance in the Arab Gulf country which is home to many faiths and ethnicities.

“The post of Minister of State for Tolerance has been created to promote tolerance as a fundamental value in UAE society,” one of the ruler’s tweets read.

The post of Minister of State for Tolerance has been created to promote tolerance as a fundamental value in UAE society#WorldGovSummit

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 8, 2016

Although Sheikh Mohammed’s tweets suggested the largest structural change in the history of the current UAE regime, it did not mention any time frame for their implementation.



The announcement comes in the backdrop of a Monday night meeting between Sheikh Mohammed and Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The new government will have less Ministries, with more Ministers able to manage
changing and dynamic strategic portfolios#WorldGovSummit

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 8, 2016

The largest structural change in the government structure by changing and dynamic strategic portfolios suggest a fresh push by the Emir of Dubai who is focused on happiness in his emirate, known for its futuristic skyscrapers and liberal disposition.

This is not the first time Sheikh Mohammed has turned to Twitter to make a major announcement. Last week he posted messages to Twitter saying he wanted a young person under 25 to serve as a UAE government minister to oversee youth issues.



The UAE is a federation composed of seven autonomously ruled emirates. The ruler of oil-rich Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, serves as the country's president.