UAE President appoints Ali Abdullah bin Daan Al Ghafli Secretary‑General of the Minister of Interior’s Office

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a federal decree on 14 September 2026 naming Brigadier Dr Ali Abdullah bin Daan Al Ghafli Secretary‑General of the Office of H.H. the Minister of Interior, with the rank of Ministry Undersecretary.

Federal decree elevates seasoned interior ministry official

On 14 September 2026, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a federal decree appointing Brigadier Dr Ali Abdullah bin Daan Al Ghafli as Secretary‑General of the Office of His Highness the Minister of Interior, conferring upon him the rank of Ministry Undersecretary.

Dr Al Ghafli is a long‑serving figure within the Ministry of Interior and has occupied a number of senior leadership roles. Since 2022 he has served as Director General of the Office of the Minister of Interior. His prior posts include Deputy Director General for Ministry Affairs at the General Secretariat of the Office of the Minister of Interior and Director of the Corporate Excellence Department.

The federal decree places Dr Al Ghafli among the ministry’s most senior officials, in a position that supports the work of the Minister of Interior and the wider leadership of the ministry. The undersecretary rank denotes a senior administrative standing within federal ministries and reflects the confidence of the Presidency in his experience and capabilities.

Dr Al Ghafli’s career has been recognised with multiple honours and medals for distinguished police service. Notably, he received the Sword of Honour from the Abu Dhabi Police College, underlining his longstanding connection to institutions based in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. He is academically qualified with a PhD in Policy Development and Management from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, and a bachelor’s degree in Police Sciences from the Abu Dhabi Police College.

The appointment was announced through official channels and is part of routine federal personnel decisions that shape the senior leadership of the UAE’s internal security and administrative apparatus. It underscores the continued development of leadership drawn from experienced ministry practitioners with both operational and policy credentials.

As Secretary‑General of the Office of H.H. the Minister of Interior, Brigadier Dr Al Ghafli will assume responsibilities consistent with the office’s role in advising and supporting ministerial functions. His combination of academic study in policy and practical leadership within the ministry positions him to contribute to ongoing efforts in governance, institutional excellence and public security coordination at federal level.

Source: WAM