Shamma Al Mazrui


Shamma bint Suhail bin Faris Al Mazrui is an Emirati politician who is currently serves as the minister of community empowerment of the United Arab Emirates. She previously served as the minister of state for youth affairs.

Early life and education

Al Mazrui was born on 22 February 1993 in Abu Dhabi. Shamma is the daughter of Suhail bin Faris Ghanim Ateish Al Mazrui, a businessman, who was also the chairman of Dubai Investments board of directors for over 20 years. Shamma's brother Faris bin Suhail bin Faris Al Mazrui is the head of Mubadala's Ventures and Growth; while her twin brother Ahmed bin Suhail bin Faris Al Mazrui, is a businessperson.
Al Mazrui is an alumna of The International School of Choueifat, Abu Dhabi, Class of 2010.
Al Mazrui has a Bachelor of Arts in economics with a concentration in finance from New York University Abu Dhabi. She obtained her Masters of Public Policy from the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford in 2015. She was the UAE's first Rhodes scholar.

Career

Al Mazrui worked in private equity in an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, and as a public policy analyst at the UAE Mission to the United Nations. She interned as a research analyst at the UAE Embassy in Washington D.C.; as a Ministry policy analyst in the prime minister's office, and as an education policy researcher at Tamkeen.
Al Mazrui was appointed by Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as minister of state for youth affairs in February 2016 at age 22, making her the youngest member of the UAE cabinet. She presided over the National Youth Council, which brings together young professionals from a variety of backgrounds to represent the affairs of youth to the government. Al Mazrui was the vice chair of the Arab Youth Center.
Al Mazrui was appointed as chair of the Special Olympics UAE board in 2017. She is also the vice chair of the Community and Legacy Committee of the UAE Special Olympics World Games.
On January 12, 2023, she was appointed as the UAE's COP28 Youth Climate Champion; she also served on the COP28 Advisory Committee, and the COP28 Higher Committee.
On February 7, 2023, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced a cabinet reshuffle where Shamma was appointed as the Minister of Community Development.
Additionally, Shamma was the secretary general of the Education and Human Resources Council until August 12, 2024; and the former president of the National Center for Education Quality; she remains a board member of both the National Center for Education Quality and the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council. In July 2023, Shamma was appointed as the chair of the Zayed University Board of Trustees.
Shamma is also a member of the UAE's International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council. Additionally, Shamma is a board member of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, which was formed by a Federal Decree in November 2024, in affiliation with the UAE Presidential Court. Erth Zayed Philanthropies is an independent and legal venture responsible for supporting various institutions and groups in assisting with humanitarian causes.

Awards and honours