Abu Dhabi crown prince appoints Al Zaabi as culture and tourism undersecretary
Version 2: An English-language daily has now carried the same appointment announcement alongside the two official notices; no new facts about the appointment itself have emerged.
In short
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has issued a resolution appointing Dr. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi as Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The appointment was announced on 5 October 2026 by the Abu Dhabi Media Office, by the state news agency WAM and by the English-language daily Aletihad. None of the announcements named a predecessor, gave a start date or described Dr. Al Zaabi’s background.
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Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has issued a resolution appointing Dr. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi as Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The appointment was announced on 5 October 2026 by the Abu Dhabi Media Office, by the state news agency WAM and by the English-language daily Aletihad. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The three notices carry the same substance and are worded almost identically. The Abu Dhabi Media Office published first, at 10:59 local time, followed by Aletihad at 11:06 and WAM at 11:22. None of them names a predecessor, gives a date on which the appointment takes effect, or describes Dr. Al Zaabi’s previous positions or responsibilities. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The undersecretary is the senior administrative post at the emirate’s culture and tourism department, so the appointment bears on how Abu Dhabi’s cultural and tourism portfolio is administered. All the documents announcing it are official or Abu Dhabi-based outlets and give no stated reason for the change, so the practical effect of the appointment cannot be assessed from the coverage available.
Key facts
- Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a resolution appointing Dr. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi as Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed is Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The appointment was announced on 5 October 2026. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Abu Dhabi Media Office carried the announcement at 10:59 local time, Aletihad at 11:06 and the state news agency WAM at 11:22. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a resolution appointing Dr. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi as Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed holds the titles of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Who previously held the post of Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. None of the announcements names a predecessor or says the position was vacant.
- When the appointment takes effect and what duties or priorities the new undersecretary will have. The documents state only that the resolution was issued; no start date or remit is given.
- Dr. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi’s professional background or prior roles. The documents identify him by name and new title only, with no biography.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Abu Dhabi Media Office publishes the resolution appointing Dr. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi as Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. [ 1 ]
- Aletihad carries the appointment in an Abu Dhabi-datelined report. [ 2 ]
- State news agency WAM carries the same appointment announcement, dated 5th October 2026. [ 3 ]