This Emirati is one of the

2010 2010 2009 2016 2015 2010 ABDULLAH BIN ZAYED MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS THIS EMIRATI IS ONE OF THE MIDDLE EAST'S LONGEST-SERVING SHEIKH ABDULLAH BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN, THE SON OF THE UAE'S FOUNDING FATHER, STUDIED POLITICAL SCIENCE AT UAE UNIVERSITY BEFORE BECOMING MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND CULTURE AT JUST 24. HE ALSO LED THE UAE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION FOR EIGHT YEARS. H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan joined the UAE Cabinet on 9 February 2006, assuming the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs. His responsibilities have centered on leading the UAE's foreign policy, strengthening bilateral relations with international partners, and promoting the UAE's position as a leader across various sectors. IN 2006, WHEN HE BECAME THE UAE'S FOREIGN MINISTER, HE EXPANDED TIES ACROSS ASIA, AFRICA, LATIN AMERICA, EUROPE. HE ALSO HELPED SECURE VISA-FREE TRAVEL TO THE SCHENGEN AREA FOR EMIRATI CITIZENS. IN 2019, HE TOLD THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE IN ABU DHABI THAT THE UAE WAS OPEN TO FULL NORMALIZATION WITH ISRAEL. IN SEPTEMBER 2020, SHEIKH ABDULLAH STOOD ON THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN AND SIGNED THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS, THE FIRST ARAB ISRAELI PEACE DEAL IN 26 YEARS. BUT HE ALSO MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE UAE STILL BACKED PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD, AND ANNEXING THE WEST BANK WOULD CROSS 'RED LINE' WHAT FOLLOWED WAS REAL COOPERATION. ISRAELI TOURISTS FLOODED DUBAI. UNIVERSITIES LAUNCHED JOINT RESEARCH, AND COMPANIES BEGAN WORKING TOGETHER ON WATER AND RENEWABLE ENERGY. THEN, IN JULY 2024, HE WAS APPOINTED DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, ADDING TO A ROLE THAT ALREADY INCLUDED LEADING KEY EDUCATION AND RESEARCH COUNCILS. NOW HE'S NAVIGATING THE UAE THROUGH ONE OF THE REGION'S MOST VOLATILE MOMENTS.