Mohammed Ben Sulayem is looking forward to a new challenge in the FIA, the governing body of motor sport which also represents millions of road users worldwide.
Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, is the new FIA Vice President for Mobility for the Middle East region.
His appointment was confirmed at the FIA General Assembly in Paris on Monday where Sulayem was elected unanimously by the Middle East FIA Mobility clubs in attendance.
In the area of mobility, the FIA represents the rights of 60 million road users from over 230 member clubs through campaigns and activities that defend their interests.
Sulayem had previously served two terms as Vice President for Sport since 2008 under current FIA President Jean Todt and his predecessor, Max Mosley.
“I am very proud of what I achieved for motor sport in recent years, and now I want to do the same for the FIA Mobility agenda,” explained Sulayem.
In his FIA role, Sulayem has pioneered research and knowledge transfer initiatives in motor sport. Last year, he instigated a scientific research programme into hydration and the health and safety issues of motorsport volunteers and officials working in high temperatures.
This culminated in a report earlier this year calling on national sporting authorities to take a lead role in countering risks to health and safety.
A second report commissioned by Sulayem delivered a six-point plan aimed at increasing the total number of competitors, officials and volunteers in the Middle East and North Africa, and the number of motorsports events in the region, by 20% by 2015.
