H.E Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, was appointed as Minister of State for Foreign Trade in July 2020 to oversee the development of non-oil foreign trade and the expansion of global trade partnerships and increase Exports. In addition to supervising the portfolio of retaining and attracting the best talents and competencies serving the strategic orientation of the UAE, His Excellency also leads the efforts to enhance the UAE’s investment climate in order to achieve the country’s economic interests and strategic goals, thereby strengthening its position as a prime destination for business and investments at both regional and global levels.
Prior to his appointment as the Minister of State for Foreign Trade, H.E held the position of Minister of Climate Change and Environment and supervised the implementation of the country’s strategies at the domestic level, for environment and climate action, agricultural development, animal husbandry and fisheries, in addition to combating desertification and preserving biodiversity leading to enhance the sustainability of natural systems, food diversity and the transition to a green economy. Through diverse Global participations, HE led the UAE’s efforts to mitigate and adapt to the repercussions of climate change, and protect the country's natural ecosystem by developing and implementing a set of effective policies and initiatives to achieve sustainable development at both regional and international levels and by strengthening existing and new partnerships with the government and private sectors that are capable of increasing the contribution of environment, agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors to ensuring food security and biosafety in the country as well as increasing the quality of national production.
Previously and after he served as the Director of the Department of Energy and Climate Change at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E Al Zeyoudi was appointed as the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as extraordinary Ambassador.
Minister Al Zeyoudi started his career as an oil engineer at the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO), and then moved to Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), where he worked on the development of renewable and clean energy technologies and solutions, and also played a key role in the success of the UAE’s 2009 campaign to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in the capital City, Abu Dhabi.
In 2020, HE. was chosen by the Davos World Economic Forum to become a member of the Young Global Leadership Council affiliated with the Forum, recognizing his outstanding international efforts in the field of environment and climate. In 2015, Dr. Al Zeyoudi received the first award for Excellence from the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in recognition of his pioneering efforts in the field of renewable energy.
H.E Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi holds a Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Tulsa, an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology, an MBA in Project Management from the British University in Dubai, and a PhD in Strategy, Program and Project Management from Skema Business School in France.