10/08/2026
As the Director of Government Communication at the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (وزارة التغير المناخي والبيئة), Hajar Bakhit Alketbi (Government Comms | هاجر الكتبي
الاتصال الحكومي) leads strategic communication that advances national priorities across climate action, environmental sustainability, biodiversity, food security and environmental diplomacy. Over the past three years, Alketbi has worked to redefine the function from one focused on awareness into a strategic capability that enables public policy, drives behavioral change, strengthens international partnerships, and contributes to national competitiveness.
It’s worth noting here that the perspective Alketbi brings to her role in government draws on more than a decade of experience in the private sector. That transition, she tells Inc. Arabia, was driven by a desire to have her work contribute to something larger than just a singular business’s performance. “I wanted to apply the same strategic thinking, innovation, and leadership [I used in the private sector] to challenges that affect society, national development, and future generations,” she says. “Joining government was therefore not simply a career move; it was a conscious decision to redefine where I believed I could create the greatest impact.”
With the benefit of hindsight, Alketbi now sees that move as the moment that fundamentally reshaped her career. “Looking back, I believe the defining decision of my career was choosing purpose over position,” she says. “Titles evolve, projects conclude, and campaigns end, but the opportunity to contribute to a country’s long-term vision, influence public policy, and create lasting societal impact is a responsibility that extends far beyond any individual role. That decision continues to shape how I lead today. I measure success not by visibility, but by whether my work leaves institutions stronger, communities more engaged, and future generations better prepared to build a more sustainable world.”
Alketbi was one of Inc. Arabia’s 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, a showcase of 60 female trailblazers from the MENA business ecosystem. Check out the video to hear