Sheikh Mohamed renames Emirates Diplomatic Academy in honour of Anwar Gargash

Institution will be known as the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy

Zaki Nusseibeh is thanked for his service by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. All photos courtesy of UAE Government

Dr Anwar Gargash is thanked for his service in the foreign ministry. He takes up a new role advising the President, Sheikh Khalifa, on diplomatic affairs

Sheikh Mohammed described the changes as a 'mini reshuffle' of the UAE Cabinet. Pictured is Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai

There was a ceremonial presentation of the Order of the Union to Dr Anwar Gargash and Zaki Nusseibeh

There was a ceremonial presentation of the Order of the Union to Dr Anwar Gargash and Zaki Nusseibeh

Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, formerly Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, will take on a senior ministerial role at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Khalifa Al Marar, who was previously assistant minister of political affairs, was given a ministerial position

Members of the Cabinet were present for the ceremony

The Emirates Diplomatic Academy will be renamed after Dr Anwar Gargash in honour of his contributions to the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces announced the decision on Wednesday saying it was in "recognition of Dr Anwar Gargash's dedication to serving the UAE, and his pioneering diplomatic efforts regionally and internationally."

The institution's new name is the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy.

It followed a shuffling of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that saw Dr Gargash departing his role as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs to take on a new post.

Dr Gargash stepped down as the second most senior foreign affairs official to become diplomatic adviser to the President, Sheikh Khalifa.

Zaki Nusseibeh left the ministry to become cultural adviser to Sheikh Khalifa.

The two were presented with the Order of the Union by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed on Wednesday.

"It was a great pleasure for Mohammed bin Rashid and I to present Anwar Gargash and Zaki Nusseibeh with the Order of the Union, in appreciation of their diplomatic and cultural contributions over many years," Sheikh Mohamed wrote on Twitter.

"The UAE holds in high esteem its loyal sons. Long may your success continue."

Sheikh Mohammed thanked the two ministers, who he said are "important pioneers of the Emirati political work ... who were able to bring about major transformations in our foreign political work and our international and regional relations".

Other changes included naming Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, the former UAE ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as Minister of State, alongside Khalifa Al Marar, who was previously assistant minister of political affairs.

Mr Al Marar has served in diplomatic roles in Japan, Syria, Iran, Armenia, Turkey and the Permanent Mission to the UN in New York.