UAE Governance
United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a sovereign, federal, presidential and elected monarchy comprising seven absolute monarchical emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the Union.
The Federation was formally established on 2 December 1971. This day is celebrated as National Day throughout the UAE.
Since its establishment, the UAE adopted the Constitution, which declares the main purpose of establishment of the federation, its objectives and components on the local and regional levels. It enumerates public rights, responsibilities and freedoms.
The Constitution of the UAE also deals with financial affairs of the federation, armed and security forces provisions, and legislative, executive and international jurisdictions between the federation and member emirates.
The UAE’s Constitution allows certain flexibility in the distribution of authority between the Federal and Local Governments. This allows the seven emirates to incorporate in their own local government, matters not included in the Constitution.
The federal system of government includes:
Responsibilities of the UAE President:
1. Head the Supreme Council and manage its discussions.
2. Call upon the Supreme Council for meetings and adjourn them as per the procedural rules approved by the council in its internal decree. The Council must be called upon to have a meeting whenever it is requested by any of its members.
3. Call for a joint meeting with the Supreme Council and Federal Cabinet whenever necessary.
4. Sign and issue federal laws, decrees, and decisions endorsed by the supreme council.
5. Appoint the Prime Minister, accept his resignation, and let him resign from his position with the approval of the Supreme Council, appoint the Deputy Prime Minister and the ministers, accept their resignation and ask them to resign from their positions upon the suggestion of the Prime Minister.
6. Appoint the diplomatic representatives for the federation in the foreign countries and other senior federal civil, and military staff except for the president and the judges of the supreme federal court, accept their resignations and ask them to resign upon the approval of the cabinet. Such appointment, acceptance of resignation or dismissal shall be carried out According to decrees and in compliance with federal laws.
7. Signing of letters of credence of diplomatic representatives of the Union to foreign states and organisations and accepting the credentials of diplomatic and consular representatives of foreign states to the Union and receiving their letters of credence. He shall similarly sign documents of appointment and credence of representatives.
8. Supervise the execution of federal laws, decrees and decisions through the federal cabinet and competent ministers.
9. Represent the federation inside the country and abroad and in all international relations.
10. Exercise the right of amnesty or reduction of penalty and approve the capital sentences in accordance with provisions of the constitution and federal laws.
11. Conferring decorations and medals of honour, both civil and military, in accordance with the laws relating to such decorations and medals.
12. Any other power vested in him by the Supreme Council or vested in him in conformity with this Constitution or the federal laws.
On 5 January 2006, the members of the Supreme Council elected H. H. Sheikh Mohammed the Vice President of the UAE. On 11 February 2006, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan nominated Sheikh Mohammed to become the Prime Minister of the UAE; the Council approved this nomination.
The Prime Minister of the UAE assumes the following responsibilities, as per the Constitution:
· The Prime Minister and all ministers are jointly responsible in front of the President of the UAE and the Supreme Council for execution of the General Policy of the Federal Government inside and outside the UAE.
· He supervises the coordination of work among the various ministries and executive federal government entities, providing directives to ministers particularly on matters affecting the governments’ general policy.
· He calls for convening the Cabinet, administers its discussions, and monitors the activities of ministers.
· He undertakes the presidency over the Cabinet Sessions.
As the Vice President of the UAE, H. H. Sheikh Mohammed carries out all the roles and responsibilities of the President of the UAE in cases when the President is not present for any reason. The term of elected office for the Vice-President is five years.
The Supreme Council is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE. It is also the highest legislative and executive authority. It draws up the general policies and approves the various federal legislations.
The Supreme Council consists of rulers of the seven emirates constituting the federation or their deputies in their emirates in case of rulers' absence or unavailability. Each Emirate has one single vote in the council resolutions and deliberations.
The Supreme Council meets at five-year intervals to reaffirm the existing President or elect a new one.
Presently, the Supreme Council consists of:
1. H. H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Emirate
2. H. H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai Emirate
3. H. H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah Emirate
4. H. H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Emirate
5. H. H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Al Fujairah Emirate
6. H. H. Sheikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain Emirate
7. H. H. Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Ajman Emirate
Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers – If a ruler cannot attend Supreme Council meetings, he may delegate his Crown Prince to take his seat. Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers attending meetings when their ruler is present have no formal role in the Council.
Present Crown Princes:
1. H. H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces,
2. H. H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai
3. H. H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council
4. H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ra’s al Khaimah
5. H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah
6. H. H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Crown Prince of Umm al-Qaiwain
7. H. H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman
Present Deputy Rulers:
1. H. H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Industry
2. H. H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai
3. H. H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah
4. H. H. Sheikh Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Deputy Ruler of Fujairah
5. H. H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Deputy Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain
6. H. H. Sheikh Nasser bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Deputy Ruler of Ajman
The Federal National Council (FNC) has both a legislative and supervisory role. The FNC is the UAE's advisory council, comprising 40 members: eight from Abu Dhabi and Dubai; six from Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah; and four from Ajman, Umm al-Quwain and Fujairah.
The FNC’s functions include:
· Discussing constitutional amendments and draft laws, which may be approved, amended or rejected
· Reviewing the annual draft budget of the Federation
· Debating international treaties and conventions
· Influencing the Government’s work through the channels of discussion, question and answer sessions, recommendations and following up on complaints.
Since February 1972, the FNC has completed 14 legislative sessions, discussing issues and draft laws concerning the people and economy. According to the Constitution, federal draft laws have to pass through the FNC for review and recommendations. A majority of its recommendations and amendments have been adopted by the Government and original draft laws from the Cabinet have been amended by the FNC to suit the needs of the citizens that they represent.
The term of the current FNC, chaired by Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Ghurair since 2006, ended in February 2011.
The Council of Ministers or The Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister, is the executive authority for the federation. Under the supreme control of the President and Supreme Council, it manages internal and foreign affairs of the federation as laid down by the constitution and federal laws. The cabinet consists of cabinet's president and two deputies and ministers. The general secretariat shall be handled by the secretary general of the cabinet.
Members of the Cabinet:
1. Prime Minister and Minister of Defence: Vice President H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
2. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior: Lt Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan
3. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
4. Minister of Finance: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
5. Minister of Foreign Affairs: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan
6. Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
7. Minister of Public Works: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
8. Minister of Foreign Trade: Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi
9. Minister of Cabinet Affairs: Mohammed Abdullah Al Gargawi
10. Minister of Energy: Mohammed Dhaen Al Hamili
11. Minister of Economy: Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri
12. Minister of Social Affairs: Maryam Al Roumi
13. Minister of Education: Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qattami
14. Minister of Health: Dr Hanif Hassan Ali
15. Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development: Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais
16. Minister of Justice: Dr Hadef bin Juaan Al Dhahiri
17. Minister of Environment and Water: Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad
18. Minister of Labour: Saqr Ghobash Saeed Ghobash
19. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs: Dr Mohammed Anwar Gargash
20. Minister of State for Financial Affairs: Obaid Humaid Al Tayer
21. Minister of State: Dr Maitha Salem Al Shamsi
22. Minister of State: Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi
Abu Dhabi City is rapidly moving towards the future with an eye on 2030. Watch this video from Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. Your comments are welcome. 
