His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, appointed Aisha Rashid Ali bin Dimas Al Suwaidi as Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) on November 19, 2025, elevating her to the rank of Department Chairperson and membership of the Sharjah Executive Council. The appointment marks a significant leadership transition at the emirate's environmental agency, moving a seasoned cultural executive into the environmental portfolio at a time when Sharjah emphasizes biodiversity conservation and sustainable development across its protected areas and natural reserves.
The decree, issued by the Sharjah Ruler, transferred Deemas from her position as Director General of the Sharjah Museums Authority, a role she held since June 2023. No search firm involvement was disclosed in the appointment process, which followed Sharjah's established governmental procedures for executive appointments. The appointment underscores the emirate's commitment to elevating environmental stewardship, placing a seasoned administrator with substantial experience in institutional governance at the helm of EPAA, an authority that manages biodiversity conservation, protected areas, and wildlife preservation across the emirate.
Deemas brings over two decades of experience in heritage, cultural management, and institutional leadership to the environmental sector. She joined the Sharjah Museums Authority in 2008 as a Curator at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, where she managed collections and fostered international collaborations. In 2012, she advanced to Director of Executive Affairs before her 2023 appointment as Director General, overseeing 16 museums across diverse cultural domains. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Studies and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the American University of Sharjah, equipping her with both cultural expertise and business acumen. Her tenure at the museums authority focused on sustainable cultural preservation and community engagement, principles that appear transferable to environmental conservation.
EPAA, established under the Sharjah Ruler's environmental vision, aims to protect the emirate's environment, wildlife, and biodiversity through scientific research, sustainable policies, and community education. The authority oversees multiple protected areas including Khor Kalba, Wasit Wetland Centre, and various desert reserves, while managing facilities such as the Sharjah Safari and the Kalba Bird of Prey Centre. The organization actively partners with international bodies like Emirates Nature-WWF and Wetlands International, executing initiatives such as mangrove planting programs aligned with the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 strategy and the national goal of planting 100 million mangrove trees by 2030.
Deemas's transition from cultural heritage to environmental stewardship reflects a broader institutional approach in Sharjah, where leadership competencies span sectors under the Ruler's holistic vision for sustainable development. The appointment suggests that the emirate values administrative experience and stakeholder engagement skills across its institutional needs, positioning environmental leadership as strategically important alongside cultural preservation. Her background managing large institutional portfolios and navigating international partnerships could strengthen EPAA's capacity to coordinate with regional and global environmental organizations. However, the shift also raises questions about continuity at the Sharjah Museums Authority, where a successor to Deemas would need to maintain momentum on cultural initiatives and international museum partnerships that she helped establish during her tenure.
