Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was born on 7 February 1987 and is the fourth son and fifth child of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his first wife Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Al Maktoum. On 28 April 2023, he was appointed Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai alongside his brother Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum as First Deputy Ruler, unofficially placing him as third-in-line to the succession behind his brothers Hamdan and Maktoum.

In June 2022, Sheikh Ahmed was appointed as the chairman of the Dubai Media Council, after its establishment. On 7 August 2023, the Election Commission of the National Olympic Committee announced that Sheikh Ahmed had won the presidency of the UAE National Olympic Committee for the period until 2024. He is also chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF).

As President of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing and President of the UAE Falcons Federation, Sheikh Ahmed has overseen the transformation of falconry into a globally recognized competitive sport. Under his leadership, the UAE Falcons Federation Team was crowned champions of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing Cup for the second consecutive year, setting three world records during the third edition titled 'Masters Heats'. He has hailed the role played by his brother Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed in transforming falconry into a globally recognised competitive sport.

Career History

• Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) (current)
• President of the UAE National Olympic Committee (2023–2024)
• Chairman of the Dubai Media Council (since June 2022)
• Chairman of the UAE Falcons Federation Board of Directors (since 2021)

What Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed could bring to his current roles as Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, President of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing, and President of the UAE Falcons Federation: Sheikh Ahmed's demonstrated commitment to elevating heritage sports to the international stage, combined with his positions in governance and institutional leadership through the MBRF and Dubai Media Council, positions him to drive Dubai's soft power through cultural and sporting diplomacy. His youth and modern outlook could help bridge traditional Emirati heritage with contemporary global sporting standards, particularly in advancing falconry as a UNESCO-recognized heritage practice on the world stage.