People

Mariam Almheiri: Education, Career and Current Roles

From mechanical engineering and food security to climate policy, international affairs, and investment leadership in the UAE.

Introduction

Mariam Almheiri has built a long public career in the United Arab Emirates.

Her background is technical. Very technical.

She studied mechanical engineering in Germany, then worked inside the UAE government on water, marine research, natural resources, food security, and environmental policy. Later, she entered the federal Cabinet.

Her work kept growing.

She became Minister of State for Food Security, moved into the food and water security portfolio, and then served as UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment.

Right now, her work is different.

As of 2026, she serves as Head of the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court. She is also Vice Chair and Managing Director of 2PointZero Group PJSC. Both positions are confirmed by current official sources.

Quick Facts

Fact Details
Full name Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri
Common name Mariam Almheiri
Birth year 1979
Nationality Emirati
Education Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering
University RWTH Aachen University, Germany
Languages listed in official profile Arabic, English, German and French
Former government role UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment
Earlier role Minister of State for Food and Water Security
Current government role Head of International Affairs Office, UAE Presidential Court
Current business role Vice Chair and Managing Director, 2PointZero Group PJSC
Major 2023 role COP28 Food Systems Lead
Known field Government, food security, environment, international affairs and investment

Her birth year, engineering degrees and four languages were listed in her official UAE government profile when she joined the federal Cabinet.

Early Life and Education

Mariam Almheiri was born in 1979.

Her exact birth date is not confirmed in the official sources reviewed, so a precise birthday should not be stated as fact.

Education shaped her early path.

She studied at RWTH Aachen University in Germany, one of Europe’s well-known technical universities. She earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

That engineering background matters.

Her later government work covered areas where science, infrastructure, natural resources and public policy often meet.

She also developed strong language skills. Her official UAE profile lists her as fluent in Arabic, English, German and French.

Starting Her Government Career

Almheiri began her professional career with the UAE ministry responsible for climate and environmental matters.

Her early work included involvement with the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Centre for Marine Research.

She later became Assistant Undersecretary for Water Resources and Nature Conservation Affairs.

That job carried wide responsibilities.

Her work covered biodiversity, fisheries, coastal and marine sustainability, marine research and planning for natural resources. She also worked on performance indicators used to check how departments were meeting ministry goals.

This period gave her years of hands-on government experience before she entered the Cabinet.

Prime Minister’s Medal

Her government work received formal recognition.

Before becoming a federal minister, Almheiri won the Prime Minister’s Medal for the Most Innovative Government Employee, according to her official UAE profile.

The award came during her environmental and natural-resources career.

By then, she was also linked with aquaculture projects and marine research work.

Minister of State for Food Security

A major career change came in 2017.

Mariam Almheiri joined the UAE Cabinet as Minister of State for Food Security.

Food security is a big issue for the UAE.

The country has an arid climate, limited freshwater resources and limited land suitable for conventional farming. Her portfolio dealt with ways to strengthen food supply while supporting new farming methods and better use of technology.

The role connected several areas.

Food production was one.

Imports were another.

Research mattered too.

Her engineering background fit closely with work involving agricultural technology, aquaculture and resource planning.

Minister of State for Food and Water Security

Her responsibilities later expanded.

By 2020, Almheiri was serving as Minister of State for Food and Water Security.

During that period, she chaired meetings of the Emirates Food Security Council. The council examined matters such as food supplies, strategic stocks and national food-security planning.

This was also during the COVID-19 period.

Supply chains faced heavy pressure.

Food stocks and reliable access became immediate government concerns, making the portfolio especially visible.

Minister of Climate Change and Environment

Another move followed in 2021.

Mariam Almheiri was appointed UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment during a federal Cabinet reshuffle.

The announcement also said she would continue overseeing the food and water security file.

Her responsibilities now reached far beyond food.

They included climate policy, biodiversity, agriculture, marine resources, food security and environmental protection.

This was a natural next step from her earlier work.

She had already spent years working inside related government departments before reaching ministerial level.

Mariam Almheiri and COP28

Her international public profile grew sharply during COP28, held in Dubai in 2023.

Almheiri served as the UAE’s COP28 Food Systems Lead while she was Minister of Climate Change and Environment.

Food was a major part of her COP28 work.

She pushed for governments to connect agriculture and food policy with climate planning. She also worked on discussions around water-resilient food systems and food security.

One major focus was the COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action.

Countries were asked to bring food and agriculture more closely into national climate plans.

By the end of COP28’s Food, Agriculture and Water Day, WAM reported that 152 countries had committed to the declaration.

That gave her work a much wider international audience.

Food Waste Work

Food waste was another clear part of her ministerial agenda.

In 2023, she launched the Ne’ma Food Loss and Waste Reduction Roadmap.

The UAE programme set a target of cutting food loss and waste by 50% by 2030.

The idea was fairly simple.

Produce food more responsibly.

Waste less of it.

And get government, companies and communities involved.

This connected her older food-security work with the environmental responsibilities of her ministry.

Leaving the Climate Ministry

Mariam Almheiri’s term as Minister of Climate Change and Environment ended in January 2024.

Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak took over the ministry.

The two held an official handover meeting on 21 January 2024. At that point, Almheiri was identified as Head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court.

So her government career continued.

The job simply changed.

Head of International Affairs Office

Almheiri now serves as Head of the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court.

Official UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs records were already identifying her in that position in February 2024.

Her work in this office involves international engagement and government relations.

For example, she has taken part in UAE engagements involving Germany, Brazil and Romania. In April 2024, she led the UAE delegation at the third UAE-Romania Joint Committee ministerial meeting.

The position remains current.

On 18 June 2026, Emirates News Agency again identified Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri as Head of the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court.

The “Zayed” AI Spokesperson Project

One newer project appeared in 2026.

The International Affairs Office launched an AI-powered spokesperson called “Zayed” in June 2026.

The system was introduced to communicate the office’s initiatives, priorities and international activities through digital channels.

Almheiri spoke about the project in her role as head of the office.

It shows how her current work now touches technology and international communication too.

Joining 2PointZero

Her career also moved into investment.

Mariam Almheiri became the first Chief Executive Officer of 2PointZero when the Abu Dhabi-based company launched in early 2024.

According to the company’s current profile, she led the business through its establishment and later transition into a publicly listed company.

Her position has since changed.

In December 2025, the board elected her Vice Chair and confirmed her as Managing Director. Samia Bouazza became Chief Executive Officer.

As of September 2026, 2PointZero’s own website still lists Almheiri as:

Vice Chair

and

Managing Director.

That makes her current career unusual.

She holds a senior government international-affairs role while also working at a high level in investment.

What Is 2PointZero?

2PointZero Group PJSC is an investment company focused mainly on energy and consumer sectors.

Its portfolio also uses AI across parts of its operations.

The company describes Almheiri’s role as covering strategic engagement, international positioning and its long-term investment agenda.

Her earlier work was mostly public policy.

Now investment is a major part too.

Still, some themes remain familiar.

Food, energy, resources and international partnerships have appeared repeatedly across different stages of her career.

Languages and International Experience

Language skills have likely been useful throughout her international work.

The UAE government has officially listed Almheiri as fluent in:

  • Arabic
  • English
  • German
  • French

Her German education also gives her a long-standing connection with Germany.

In February 2024, she joined UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a working visit to Germany that included meetings on economic and environmental cooperation.

Career Timeline

Year Career point
1979 Born
University years Studied Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University
Early career Joined UAE environmental government sector
Pre-2017 Assistant Undersecretary for Water Resources and Nature Conservation Affairs
2017 Became Minister of State for Food Security
2020 Served as Minister of State for Food and Water Security
2021 Appointed Minister of Climate Change and Environment
2023 Served as COP28 Food Systems Lead
January 2024 Left the climate ministry
2024 Became Head of International Affairs Office at UAE Presidential Court
2024 Became first CEO of 2PointZero
December 2025 Elected Vice Chair and confirmed as Managing Director of 2PointZero
2026 Continues in Presidential Court and 2PointZero roles

Is Mariam Almheiri Married?

Reliable official sources reviewed for this article do not confirm details about a spouse or marriage.

So this article does not make a claim about her marital status.

That is the safer choice.

Does Mariam Almheiri Have Children?

No reliable public source reviewed here confirms details about children.

For that reason, no claim is included.

Mariam Almheiri Net Worth

There is no verified public figure for Mariam Almheiri’s personal net worth in the official sources used for this article.

Specific numbers found on low-quality profile websites should not be treated as fact without solid financial records.

So no net-worth estimate is included here.

Mariam Almheiri Height and Weight

Reliable official sources do not provide verified height or weight details.

These details are left out.

Final Thought

Mariam Almheiri’s career started from engineering and environmental work.

Then things moved quickly.

Food security came next.

Climate policy followed.

COP28 put her work in front of a global audience, especially through food systems and agriculture.

Her role changed again in 2024.

Currently, she works at the UAE Presidential Court as Head of the International Affairs Office while serving as Vice Chair and Managing Director of 2PointZero.

The common thread is clear.

Her work has stayed close to science, resources, government policy, international relations and investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Mariam Almheiri?

Mariam Almheiri is an Emirati government official and business leader. She currently heads the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court and serves as Vice Chair and Managing Director of 2PointZero.

When was Mariam Almheiri born?

She was born in 1979, according to her official UAE government profile.

Where did Mariam Almheiri study?

She studied at RWTH Aachen University in Germany, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering.

What languages does Mariam Almheiri speak?

Her official government profile lists Arabic, English, German and French.

Was Mariam Almheiri a UAE minister?

Yes. She served in food-security roles and later became UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment in 2021.

What was her role at COP28?

She served as COP28 Food Systems Lead while holding the climate and environment ministry portfolio.

What does Mariam Almheiri do now?

As of 2026, she is Head of the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court and Vice Chair and Managing Director of 2PointZero.

What is Mariam Almheiri’s net worth?

No reliable official source reviewed for this article provides a verified personal net-worth figure.

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