H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan

His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region was one of the few people who, from an early age, had the honour of accompanying the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father and builder of the United Arab Emirates. The late Sheikh Zayed had an enormous influence on His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon. He gained a lot of practical experience and knowledge from Sheikh Zayed as he was well informed about the conditions of the people of Al Ain and their affairs since he had been the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain area.
 
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon was amongst the group that Sheikh Zayed totally trusted and on the 11th September 1966, one month after he became the Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s first official appointment was His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed as the Chairman of the Agriculture Department and the President of Al Ain Municipality. His Highness was also amongst those who worked with Sheikh Zayed on the great Union project that succeeded on the 2nd December 1971 with the declaration of the State of the Union. From the 1st July 1971, Sheikh Tahnoon held the position of the Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture and he was also appointed as the Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region on the 9th August of the same year.
 
On the 8th July 1972, an Emiri Decree was issued appointing H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed as a member of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Arab Economy (now the Abu Dhabi Development Fund) and in 1973, the Chairman of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
 
In 1974, a Decree was issued appointing H.H. as the President of the Al Ain Municipality and Agriculture Department and with the formation of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Investment Establishment, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon was a made a member of the Board of Directors and his membership was renewed in 1980. In 1977, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon became the Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the President of the Agriculture and Municipalities Department in Al Ain. The UAE President also appointed him as member of the Supreme Petroleum Council in 1988.
 
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon is known for his closeness and direct contact with the people of Al Ain Region where most of his official work took place.  

The Following is a List of the Emiri Decrees Issued Concerning His Highness:
 
1.    Emiri Decree no. 2/1966
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan is hereby appointed as the Chairman of the Agriculture Department and the President of Al Ain Municipality; 11 September 1966
 
2.    Emiri Decree no. 9/1971
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan is hereby appointed as the Minister of the Municipalities and Agriculture; 1 July 1971
 
3.    Emiri Decree no. 26/1971
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan is hereby appointed as the Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region; 9 August 1971
 
4.    Emiri Decree no. 31/1972
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan is hereby appointed as the member of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Arab Economy; 8 July 1972
 
5.    Emiri Decree no. 13/1973
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan is hereby appointed as the Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company; 16 July 1973
 
6.    Emiri Decree no. 2/1974
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan is hereby appointed as the Chairman of the Municipalities and Agriculture Department in Al Ain; 20 January 1974
 
7.    Emiri Decree no. 6/1976
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan is hereby appointed as member of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Investment Department; 21 March 1976
 
8.    Emiri Decree no. 3/1977
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan is hereby appointed as the Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council and Chairman of Municipality and Agriculture Department in Al Ain; 9 January 1977
 
9.    Emiri Decree no. 4/1980
The membership of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Investment Department is hereby renewed; 12 August 1980
 
10.     Emiri Decree no. 1/1988
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan is hereby appointed as member of the Supreme Petroleum Council; 5 June 1988.