Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi has been appointed as The Minister of State for Tolerance, in line with the new UAE Cabinet Reshuffle recently introduced in the United Arab Emirates in February 2016, whose primary mission is to promote tolerance and instill its core principles, as a fundamental value in UAE community and the globe.

Previous to her current role, Her Excellency has assumed several other ministerial positions. In 2004, Sheikha Lubna was appointed Minister of Economy and Planning, as the first woman in the United Arab Emirates to hold a ministerial position. The appointment of Her Excellency at the helm of the country’s economy was the culmination of confidence of the UAE Leadership in HE’s ability to boosting the national economy and excelling in various related sectors. In 2008-2013, Her Excellency carried her role as Minister of Foreign Trade, and was later tasked 2013 -2016 as Minister of International Cooperation and Development.

In addition to her portfolio responsibilities, Sheikha Lubna holds several distinguished positions on a national level. Sheikha Lubna currently serves as President of Zayed University and is the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the International Institute for Tolerance and as the Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC). Sheikha Lubna sits on the board of various UN affiliated committees namely, the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Panel (HLP) on Women's Economic Empowerment, and the International Commission on Financing Global Education Opportunity.

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi holds a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science from California State University of Chico, USA (1981), and an Executive Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the American University of Sharjah, UAE (2002). Her Excellency holds Honorary Doctorates in Science from California State University of Chico, in Law from the University of Exeter (UK), and in Economics from the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (Korea) respectively. Her Excellency was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from The Lebanese American University, Lebanon.

In 2017, Sheikha Lubna retains the top spot of the 10 Most Powerful Arab Women in Government highlighting ministers across the region, and was named same year, Educational Personality of the Year by the Khalifa Award for Education, in its 10th edition (2016-2017). Her Excellency was classified by the Arabian Business Magazine’s among “The Most Influential Arab Personalities”, 2010-2014.

Internationally, Sheikha Lubna has featured in the Forbes Magazine list as the “42th World’s Most Powerful 100 Women for 2015”. Her Excellency continues to garner new achievements to add to her credentials, topping the list of “The 100 Powerful Arab Women”, by CEO Magazine, 2011-2016. Her Excellency was also included in the Wall Street Journal’s among “The Most Important 50 International Women to Watch”. Sheikha Lubna was also the first Emirati to receive “The Clinton Global Citizen Award” from the Clinton Global Initiative.

Sheikha Lubna was accorded prestigious international accolades and recognitions. To name but only a few, Her Excellency was accorded in 2013 the Honorary Award of “Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire – Civil Division” (DBE) from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

In 2011, His Majesty Juan Carlos, King of Spain, awarded Sheikha Lubna the “Order of Civil Merit”, for Her Excellency’s efforts to strengthen and promote cooperation between Spain and the UAE in various fields. In 2009, Sheikha Lubna was conferred the “Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur” by the former President of France Nicolas Sarkozy, which is the highest French distinction that can be bestowed on a citizen or a foreigner, and in 2009 too, Her Excellency was bestowed the “Italian President Gold Medal” by Pio Manzu International Research Centre ( Centro Internazionale Ricerche Pio Manzu’)in recognition of her distinctive and continuous efforts towards economic development and future growth, as well as her support for women’s issues and rural development, and in 2008, Her Excellency was awarded the "Grande Ufficiale" medal, the Italian Star of Solidarity awarded by the Italian Republic, which the highest decoration presented by the President of Italy for VIP’s and distinguished personalities, for their vital role in promoting bilateral relations between their countries and Italy.