Abu Dhabi, UAE – 21 September 2023 – As part of its efforts to recognise qualified professionals in the public service sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the Secretariat General of the GCC honoured His Excellency Tariq Hilal Lootah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs (MFNCA), member of the National Elections Committee (NEC), and Chairman of the Federal National Council (FNC) Election Management Committee.
H.E. Lootah was awarded the GCC Medal for Civil Service and Administrative Development for 2023 during the 19th Meeting of GCC Ministers and Heads of Civil Service and Administrative Development Departments, held in Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman.
The medal is periodically awarded to individuals who have excelled in providing distinguished services in the field of civil service and administrative development in the GCC countries, who have made notable contributions towards developing human resource systems and regulations, and who spearheaded administrative development efforts. The award recognises their extensive experience in the field of human resources and services.
H.E. Tariq Lootah thanked the Secretariat General of the GCC and the Organising Committee of the award for granting him the GCC Medal for Civil Service and Administrative Development. The MFNCA Undersecretary emphasised the significant role this recognition plays in motivating efforts to drive progress in government work across the region, and in reinforcing the values of innovation, excellence, and leadership, which are key pillars for the governments of the future that harness all capabilities and resources to provide the best services.
H.E. Lootah also thanked Her Excellency Ohood Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, Chairwoman of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), and Her Excellency Laila Obaid Al Suwaidi, Acting Director General of the FAHR, for their diligent efforts to enhance government performance in the UAE and ensure its distinction and leadership at regional and international levels.
In his capacity as Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, H.E. Tariq Hilal Lootah played an instrumental role in forging the Ministry’s strategic direction, in line with the UAE’s vision. H.E. oversees efforts to develop the MFNCA’s policy and draft regulations to govern its operations, proposing systems and procedures to improve institutional performance. He is also tasked with managing the Ministry’s digital transformation process and driving its innovation agenda.
Furthermore, H.E. Lootah serves as Chairman of the Federal National Council (FNC) Election Management Committee and member of the National Elections Committee (NEC) for the FNC Elections 2023.
H.E. Tariq Lootah has a wealth of experience and an extensive background in the public and private sectors, having served for more than 27 years in senior roles in a variety of domains. Among his many areas of expertise are policymaking, strategy setting, developing and improving government operations and services, managing national initiatives and projects, and achieving institutional excellence.
Prior to being appointed as Undersecretary of the MFNCA, H.E. held several prestigious positions at leading government and government-affiliated entities, serving as Director of the Planning and Development Department at Dubai’s Department of Economic Development, Director of the Business Development Sector at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG).
H.E. Tariq Hilal Lootah holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and international commerce from George Washington University in Washington, DC, in the United States.