UAE yearbook 2009

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
2009

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES YEARBOOK

2009

This project is undertaken with support and assistance from the National Media Council. It is a
multimedia publishing programme involving publication of the UAE Yearbook in English, French and
Arabic printed and electronic editions; management of UAEINTERACT (www.uaeinteract.com), which
contains news updates linked to pages of the Yearbook; publication of UAE at a Glance, which
summarises main data on the UAE; and production of a DVD containing films and e-books on the UAE.
The publishers wish to acknowledge and thank the National Media Council for their valuable
encouragement and support for this multifaceted project.

Editor: Paula Vine
Associate Editors: Ibrahim Al Abed, Peter Hellyer, Peter Vine

Text copyright ©2009: Trident Press Ltd. and The National Media Council
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form without the
written permission of both copyright holders. Applications should be addressed to the publisher.

Photographs ©: Emirates News Agency (WAM), Trident Press Ltd, The National, Gulf News, Getty
Images, Hanne & Jens Eriksen, Photolibrary, Brian McMorrow, Fotosearch, Grapheast, Abu Dhabi Urban
Planning Council, BP Photographic Archives, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Peter Vine

English edition design and typesetting: Jane Stark and James Kelly, Trident Press

Yearbook information is, by definition, subject to change. The current volume is based on available
information at the time of printing. Whilst every care has been taken to achieve accuracy, the publishers
cannot accept any liability for consequences arising from the use of information contained in this book.
Statistics are based on available sources and are not necessarily official or endorsed by the UAE
Government.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data:
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available
from the British Library.

ISBN 978-1-905486-45-8 (hardback) ISBN: 978-1-905486-46-5 (paperback)

For further information please contact:
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CONTENTS

FOREWORD 5

HISTORY 7

GOVERNMENT 19

E CO N O M I C D E V E LO P M E N T 55

INFRASTRUCTURE 143

S O C I A L D E V E LO P M E N T 203

M E D I A & C U LT U R E 259

ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE 291

SPORTS & LEISURE 301

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS 321

5

FOREWORD
THE BUSINESS OF LOOKING-BACK IN TIME IS A PRECISE SCIENCE. Unfortunately none of
us knows what will happen tomorrow but we do know what happened
yesterday, last week, last month and last year. The recording of recent
events, in the form of the United Arab Emirates Yearbook, and indeed of
the many official reports issued by various government and private
organisations on which much of the Yearbook data is based, is a valuable
tool defining the latest developments in the country. The 2009 UAE Yearbook
reports on a period of continued rapid development in the UAE.
As I turn these pages, I also have on my desk the UAE Yearbook for 1999.
What great progress was revealed in that edition and yet what a distance we
have travelled in the short period of one decade since then!
Among the many aspects of growth and development that each Yearbook
portrays there are several consistent threads that do not change. Among
these central tenets of what ‘makes the Emirates tick’ is a spirit of ‘openness’
that the UAE Government remains very committed towards and which
influences almost all areas of its activities and decision making. This
embraces many different facets of our national (and individual) psyche,
including a willingness to share our views and ideas and to listen to, and
respect those of others; a proud acknowledgement of our past and our rich
heritage whilst also opening our minds to new developments, new ideas
and new technologies; and, perhaps most importantly, a recognition that
there are many different ways to consider a particular issue or challenge.
We do not claim to have all the answers and do not hold up our record as
one that is without flaws. But our openness helps us to learn from the past
and to do better in future.
2008 brought many new challenges and significant developments in
virtually all fields. The UAE Government Strategy, launched in 2007 with
a focus on adopting international best practices in the area of public
administration, saw further progress with one of the most important aspects
being the enhancement of collaboration between the federal authorities
and those in each emirate.
I take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in the United Arab
Emirates and hope that you will find this publication assists you in your
quest for knowledge and information on our fascinating country.

Saqr Ghobash
Chairman, National Media Council

HISTORY

‘He who does not know his
past cannot make the best of
his present and future, for it is
from the past that we learn.’

The arrival of envoys from the
Prophet Mohammed in 630
AD heralded the conversion of
the region to Islam.

9

HISTORY
THE UAE HAS A LONG HISTORY, RECENT FINDS in the Hajar Mountains and
in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi having pushed the earliest
evidence of man in the Emirates back by tens of thousands, perhaps
hundreds of thousands, of years. Prior to this, the earliest known
human occupation for which there is significant evidence dated
from the Neolithic period, 5500 BC or 7500 years ago, when the
climate was wetter and food resources abundant. Even at this early
stage, there is proof of interaction with the outside world, especially
with civilisations to the north. These contacts persisted and became
wide-ranging, probably motivated by trade in copper from the Hajar
Mountains, commencing around 3000 BC as the climate became
more arid and fortified oasis communities focused on agriculture.
Foreign trade, the recurring motif in the history of this strategic
region, seems to have flourished also in later periods, facilitated by
domestication of the camel at the end of the second millennium
A third millennium bronze
BC. At the same time, the discovery of new irrigation techniques (falaj
pedestal chalice from Wadi
irrigation) made possible the extensive watering of agricultural areas
‘Asimah. Similar to goblets
that resulted in an explosion of settlement in the region. from Baluchistan, it is the only
By the first century AD overland caravan traffic between Syria and one of its type found so far in
south-eastern Arabia.
cities in southern Iraq, followed by seaborne travel to the important
port of Omana (perhaps present-day Umm al-Qaiwain) and thence
to India was an alternative to the Red Sea route used by the Romans.
Pearls had been exploited in the area for millennia but at this time
the trade reached new heights. Seafaring was also a mainstay and
major fairs were held at Dibba, bringing merchants from as far
afield as China.
The arrival of envoys from the Prophet Mohammed in 630 AD
heralded the conversion of the region to Islam with Dibba again
featuring, this time as a battleground in the wake of the Prophet’s
death. By 637 AD Islamic armies were using Julfar (Ra’s al-Khaimah)
as a staging post for the conquest of Iran. Over many centuries,
Julfar became a wealthy port and pearling centre from which great
wooden dhows ranged far and wide across the Indian Ocean.

@ www.uaeinteract.com/uaehistory

10
IMPORTANT DATES

c.5500 BC Evidence of extensive human occupation in UAE.
5500–3000 BC Occupation by skilled groups of herders using finely made stone
tools (so-called ‘Arabian bifacial tradition’).
Hafit period – era of earliest collective burials first noted on the
3000–2500 BC
lower slopes of Jebel Hafit in the interior of Abu Dhabi.
2500–2000 BC Umm al-Nar period – era of first oasis towns (e.g. at Hili, Tell
Abraq, Bidiya, Kalba) dominated by large, circular fortresses; burial of
the dead in round communal tombs; wide-ranging trade contact with Mesopotamia,
Iran, Indus Valley, Baluchistan, Bactria (Afghanistan); first intensive use of copper
resources of Hajar Mountains; area referred to as Magan in Mesopotamian sources.
2000–l300 BC Wadi Suq period and Late Bronze Age – an era which is characterised by fewer towns;
change in burial customs to long, generally narrow collective tombs; close ties to
Dilmun (Bahrain).
Iron Age – introduction of new irrigation technology in
1300–300 BC
the form of falaj (pl. aflaj), subterranean galleries which
led water from mountain aquifers to lower-lying oases and
gardens; explosion of settlement; first use of iron; first
writing, using South Arabian alphabet; contacts with Assyrian
and Persian empires.
Mleiha period (or Late Pre-Islamic A–B) – flourishing town at Mleiha; beginnings of
300 BC–0
local coinage; far-flung imports from Greece (black-glazed pottery), South Arabia
(alabaster unguent jars); first use of the horse.
Ed-Dur period (or late Pre-Islamic C–D) – flourishing towns at ed-Dur and Mleiha;
0–250 AD
extensive trade network along the Gulf linking up the Mediterranean, Syria and
Mesopotamia with India; imports include Roman glass, coinage, brass; massive
production of coinage by a ruler called Abi’el; first use of Aramaic in inscriptions from
ed-Dur and Mleiha.
240 AD Rise of the Sasanian dynasty in south-western Iran, conquest of most of eastern
Arabia.
6th/7th cent. AD Introduction of Christianity via contacts with south-western Iran and southern
Mesopotamia; establishment of monastery on Sir Bani Yas by Nestorian Christian
community; Sasanian garrisons in inner Oman and evidence for contact in the UAE
shown by coins and ceramics from Kush (Ra’s al-Khaimah), Umm al-Qaiwain and
Fujairah.
Arrival of envoys from the Prophet Muhammad;
630 AD
conversion of the people to Islam.
632 AD Death of the Prophet Muhammad; outbreak of the ridda
movement, a widespread rebellion against the teachings
of Islam; dispatch of Hudhayfah b. Mihsan by the Caliph
Abu Bakr to quell rebellion of Laqit b. Malik Dhu at-Tag at
Dibba; major battle at Dibba, collapse of the rebels.

11
HISTORY

637 AD
Julfar used as staging post for Islamic invasion of Iran.
892 AD
Julfar used as staging post for Abbasid invasion of Oman.
Buyids (Buwayhids) conquer south-eastern Arabia. 963 AD
Geographer Yaqut mentions Julfar as a fertile town. c. 1220
14th–15th cent.
Close commercial contact between Northern Emirates and kingdom of Hormuz,
based on Jarun island in the Straits of Hormuz.
Portuguese circumnavigation of Cape of Good Hope by Vasco da Gama using Arab 1498
navigational information.
16th cent.
Portuguese–Ottoman rivalry in the Gulf.
1580
Venetian traveller Gasparo Balbi’s description of coast of UAE from Qatar to Ra’s
al-Khaimah; mention of Portuguese fortress at Kalba; first mention of Bani Yas in
Abu Dhabi.
1666
Description of the East Coast of the UAE by a Dutch mariner sailing in the Meerkat.
1720s
Growth of English trade in the Gulf; increasing Anglo–Dutch rivalry.
1764
Sharjah and most of Musandam and the UAE East Coast, all the way to Khor Fakkan,
under control of Qawasim according to Carsten Niebuhr, German surveyor
working with the King of Denmark’s scientific expedition.
Repeated English East India Company attacks on Qawasim navy. 1800–1819
1820
General Treaty of Peace between British Government and sheikhs of Ra’s al-Khaimah,
Umm al-Qaiwain, Ajman, Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
1820–1864
Survey of the Gulf resulting in the publication of the first accurate charts and maps
of the area.
1930s
Collapse of the natural pearl market; first agreements signed by rulers of Dubai,
Sharjah and Abu Dhabi for oil exploration.
1945–1951
Oil exploration agreements finalised in Ra’s al-Khaimah, Umm al-Qaiwain and Ajman.
1962
First export of oil from Abu Dhabi.
1968
British Government announced its intention to withdraw from
the Gulf region; discussions begin on formation of a federation
of the emirates.
1969
First export of oil from Dubai.
10 July 1971
Agreement reached amongst rulers of the emirates to form
a union.
2 Dec 1971
Formation of the State of the United Arab Emirates.
Sheikh Zayed, 1st President of the UAE, died. 2 Nov 2004
3 Nov 2004
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan elected as new President of
the UAE.

12 U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S Y E A R B O O K 2 0 0 9

The Portuguese arrival in the Gulf in the sixteenth century had
bloody consequences for the Arab residents of Julfar and east coast
ports like Dibba, Bidiya, Khor Fakkan and Kalba. However, while
European powers competed for regional supremacy, a local power, the
Qawasim, was gathering strength. At the beginning of the nineteenth
century the Qawasim had built up a fleet of over 60 large vessels
and could put nearly 20,000 sailors to sea, eventually provoking a
British offensive to control the maritime trade routes between the
Gulf and India.
Inland, the arc of villages at Liwa were the focus of economic and
social activity for the Bani Yas from before the sixteenth century. But
by the early 1790s the town of Abu Dhabi had become such an
important pearling centre that the political leader of all the Bani Yas
groups, the sheikh of the Al Bu Falah (Al Nahyan family) moved
there from the Liwa. Early in the nineteenth century, members of
the Al Bu Falasah, a branch of the Bani Yas, settled by the Creek in
Dubai and established Maktoum rule in that emirate.
Following the defeat of the Qawasim in 1820, the British signed a
series of agreements with the sheikhs of the individual emirates
Foreign trade,
that, later augmented with treaties on preserving a maritime truce,
hospitality, resulted in the area becoming known as ‘The Trucial States’.
exploitation of natural The pearling industry thrived in the relative calm at sea during the
resources, an nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, providing both income
appreciation of nature and employment to the people of the Arabian Gulf coast. Many of
and the importance of the inhabitants were semi-nomadic, pearling in the summer months
and tending to their date gardens in the winter. However, their
cultural heritage are all
meagre economic resources were soon to be dealt a heavy blow. The
recurring motifs in the
First World War impacted severely on the pearl fishery, but it was
history of the UAE and
the economic depression of the late 1920s and early 1930s, coupled
continue to be vital
with the Japanese invention of the cultured pearl, that damaged it
building blocks of
irreparably. The industry eventually faded away shortly after the
twenty-first century
Second World War, when the newly independent Government of
development.
India imposed heavy taxation on pearls imported from the Gulf.
This was catastrophic for the area. Despite their adaptability and
resourcefulness, the population faced considerable hardship with
little opportunity for education and no roads or hospitals.
Fortunately oil was on the horizon. At the beginning of the 1930s,
the first oil company teams carried out preliminary surveys and the
first cargo of crude was exported from Abu Dhabi in 1962. With

13
HISTORY

The first cargo of
revenues growing as oil production increased, Ruler of Abu Dhabi,
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, undertook a massive construction crude oil was exported
programme, building schools, housing, hospitals and roads. When from Abu Dhabi in
Dubai’s oil exports commenced in 1969, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed 1962 and the United
Al Maktoum, de facto Ruler of Dubai since 1939, was also able to Arab Emirates was
use oil revenues to improve the quality of life of his people.
formally established
as a federation on
FEDERATION
2 December 1971.
At the beginning of 1968, when the British announced their intention
of withdrawing from the Arabian Gulf by the end of 1971, Sheikh
Zayed acted rapidly to initiate moves towards establishing closer ties
between the emirates. Along with Sheikh Rashid, who was to become
Vice President and, later, Prime Minister of the newly formed state,
Sheikh Zayed took the lead in calling for a federation that would
include not only the seven emirates that together made up the Trucial
States, but also Qatar and Bahrain. Following a period of negotiation,
however, agreement was reached between the rulers of six of the

@ www.uaeinteract.com/uaehistory


emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Umm al-Qaiwain and
Ajman) and the federation to be known as the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) was formally established on 2 December 1971 with Sheikh
Zayed as its President. The seventh emirate, Ra’s al-Khaimah,
formally acceded to the new federation on 10 February 1972.

A VISIONARY LEADER
The prosperity, harmony and modern development that today
characterises the UAE is due to a very great extent to the visionary
role played by Sheikh Zayed, both prior to the formation of the
federation and in the nearly 33 years that followed until his death in
November 2004.
Born around 1918 in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed was the youngest
of the four sons of Sheikh Sultan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1922 to
1926. He was named after his grandfather, Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa.
As Sheikh Zayed grew to manhood, he travelled widely throughout
the country, gaining a deep understanding of the land and of its
people. In the early 1930s, when oil company teams arrived to
HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan undertake geological surveys, he obtained his first exposure to the
Al Nahyan, the late President
industry that was to make possible the development of today.
of the United Arab Emirates.
In 1946, he was chosen as Ruler’s Representative in Abu Dhabi’s
Eastern Region, centred on Al Ain, 160 kilometres east of the island
of Abu Dhabi.
He brought to his new task a firm belief in the values of consultation
and consensus. Foreign visitors, such as the British explorer Sir
Wilfred Thesiger, noted with approbation that his judgements ‘were
distinguished by their acute insights, wisdom and fairness’.
Sheikh Zayed swiftly established himself as someone who had a
clear vision of what he wished to achieve for the people and as
someone who led by example. A key task in the early years in Al Ain
was that of stimulating the local economy, which was largely based
on agriculture. Keen to ensure that the scarce water resources were
fairly shared, he surrendered the rights of his own family as an
example to others.
Sheikh Zayed also commenced the laying out of a visionary city
plan, and ordered the planting of trees that, now mature, have made
Al Ain one of the greenest cities in Arabia.
Despite the paucity of government revenues, Sheikh Zayed
succeeded in bringing progress to Al Ain, personally funding the

first modern school in the emirate and coaxing others to contribute Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al
Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid
towards small-scale development programmes. The beginning of oil
bin Saeed Al Maktoum
exports provided the means to fund his dreams. touring the country in the
On 6 August 1966, Sheikh Zayed succeeded his elder brother as early days of the federation.
Ruler of Abu Dhabi. He promptly increased contributions to the
Trucial States Development Fund, and, in February 1968, when the
British announced their intention of withdrawing from the Gulf by the
end of 1971, he initiated moves to strengthen ties with the other
emirates, these leading to the establishment of the UAE. Sheikh Zayed
was elected by his fellow rulers as the first President, a post to which
he was successively re-elected at five-year intervals.
The new state emerged at a time of political turmoil in the region.
A couple of days earlier, Iran had seized the islands of Greater and
Lesser Tunb, part of Ra’s al-Khaimah, and had landed troops on
Abu Musa, part of Sharjah (see section on Foreign Policy).

@ www.uaeinteract.com/zayed


Foreign observers predicted that the UAE would survive only with
An aerial view of Abu Dhabi
in the 1960s. difficulty, pointing to disputes with its neighbours and to the wide
disparity between the seven emirates. Sheikh Zayed was more
optimistic and the predictions of those early pessimists were shown
to be unfounded.
During his years in Al Ain, Sheikh Zayed had developed a vision of
how the country should progress. Once Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and then
President, he spent over three and a half decades making that
vision a reality.
One foundation of his philosophy as a leader was that the resources
of the country should be used to the benefit of the people. He saw
them not as a means unto themselves, but as a tool to facilitate the
development of what he believed to be the country’s real wealth –
its people, and, in particular, the younger generation.

17
HISTORY

All citizens have a role to play in its development, he felt, and,
recognising that in the past a lack of education and development
had prevented women from participating fully in society, he took
rapid action to promote women’s education. Under his leadership,
the country’s women came increasingly to play their part in political
and economic life.
Sheikh Zayed also believed in the need to preserve the traditional
culture of the people, in order to familiarise the younger generation
with the ways of their ancestors. In his view, it was crucial that the
lessons and heritage of the past were remembered.

He who does not know his past cannot make the best of his present and
future, for it is from the past that we learn. We gain experience and we
take advantage of the lessons and results [of the past].

He was also a firm proponent of the conservation of the UAE’s
environment, deriving this belief from his own upbringing where a
sustainable use of resources required man to live in harmony with An abundant supply of water
nature. Here, as in other areas of national life, Sheikh Zayed believed enabled development.
that there was a role not only for government, but also for individuals,
both citizens and expatriates, and non-governmental institutions.
Sheikh Zayed imbibed the principles of Islam in his childhood and
they remained central to his beliefs throughout his life. He firmly
opposed those who pervert the message of Islam to justify harsh Sheikh Zayed on Abu Dhabi
Corniche in the 1970s.
dogmas, intolerance and terrorism. In his view, such an approach was
not merely a perversion of the message but is in direct contradiction
of it. Extremism, he believed, has no place in Islam. In contrast, he
stressed that:

Islam is a civilising religion that gives mankind dignity. A Muslim is he
who does not inflict evil upon others. Islam is the religion of tolerance
and forgiveness, and not of war, of dialogue and understanding . . . To
treat every person, no matter what his creed or race, as a special soul
is a mark of Islam. It is just that point, embodied in the humanitarian
tenets of Islam, that makes us so proud of it.

Sheikh Zayed was an eager advocate of tolerance and a better
understanding between those of different faiths and was an ardent
advocate of dialogue between Muslims and Christians.
In foreign policy, his firmly held belief in eschewing rhetoric in
the search for solutions led the UAE to adopt an approach of seeking

@ www.uaeinteract.com/zayed


to find compromises, and to avoid, wherever possible, a resort to the
Sheikh Zayed with Sheikh
Maktoum and Sheikh Khalifa. use of force, whether in the Arab arena or more widely. Under his
leadership, the country became a major donor of overseas aid, both
for infrastructural development and for humanitarian relief, whether
provided through civilian channels or, occasionally, by sending units
of the UAE Armed Forces as international peacekeepers, such as to
Kosovo in the late 1990s.
The UAE, under his leadership, also showed its preparedness to
fight to defend justice, as was seen by its participation in the war to
liberate Kuwait from occupation in 1990/91.
Sheikh Zayed died in November 2004, being succeeded as the UAE’s
President and as Ruler of Abu Dhabi by his eldest son, HH Sheikh
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The principles and philosophy he
brought to government, however, remain at the core of the state, and
of its policies, today.

GOVERNMENT

HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al
Nahyan was elected President of the
United Arab Emirates on 3 November
2004, succeeding his father, the late
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum, Vice President and
Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler
of Dubai.

21

GOVERNMENT
POLITICAL SYSTEM
SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FEDERATION IN 1971, the seven emirates
that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have forged a distinct
national identity through consolidation of their federal status and
enjoy an enviable degree of political stability. The UAE’s political
system, a unique combination of the traditional and the modern, has
underpinned this success, enabling the country to develop a modern
administrative structure while, at the same time, ensuring that the best
of the traditions of the past are maintained, adapted and preserved.
Over the course of the last three years, major steps have been
taken, both at a federal and at a local level, in terms of reforming
the structure of government, these steps being designed both to
make it more responsive to the needs of the country’s population
and to ensure that it is better equipped to cope with the challenges
of development, in all spheres, in a manner that is in keeping with
current best practices in administration and the delivery of services,
as well as being more cost-effective.
The process has been directed at a federal level by the country’s Over the course of the
President, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and has been last three years, major
devised and guided at an executive level by the Vice President and steps have been taken,
Prime Minister, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, both at a federal and a
who was appointed in early 2006, following his succession as Ruler local level , in terms of
of Dubai.
reforming the structure
Both leaders have also overseen major reforms in the structures of
of government.
government in Abu Dhabi, ruled by Sheikh Khalifa, and Dubai, ruled
by Sheikh Mohammed, these being implemented by the Executive
Councils of each emirate, chaired respectively by HH Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and
by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince
of Dubai.
The most important recent development was the formal launching
in early 2007 of a UAE Government Strategy for the years ahead.
Covering 21 individual topics, in the six sectors of social development,
economic development, public sector development, justice and safety,

@ www.uaeinteract.com/governmentaffairs


infrastructure and rural areas development, the strategy was based
upon the National Programme unveiled by President HH Sheikh
Khalifa in December 2005. Drawn up after extensive consultation
between the federal ministries, as well as other bodies, the strategy
was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, who noted that
it ‘sets the foundations for a new era of public administration. The
changing times and the nature of the challenges prompt us to think
in a different way and to adopt international best practices in the
area of public administration. This strategy unifies efforts within a
strategic framework with clear objectives, based on detailed studies
(and). . . clearly identifies and integrates federal and local efforts.’
Implementation of the strategy continued in 2008, with one of the
most important aspects being the enhancement of collaboration
between the federal authorities and those in each emirate.
Other general principles in the strategy include the revitalisation
of the regulatory and policy-making role of the ministries and the
improvement of their decision-making mechanisms, and increasing
of the efficiency of governmental bodies and upgrading of the level
of the services provided, in accordance with customer needs.
Other principles include an improvement of the civil service,
based on competence, effective Emiratisation and leadership training,
empowering the ministries, in accordance with public and joint
policies, and reviewing and upgrading of existing legislation.
A separate policy agenda for Abu Dhabi was announced in August
2007, covering that year and 2008. This included independent policy
statements providing details of plans in areas such as planning and
economy, energy, tourism, health, education, labour, civil services,
The UAE flag was first raised culture and heritage, food control, urban planning, transport, health
on 2 December 1971.
and safety, environment, municipal affairs, police and emergency
services, electronic government, women, and legislative reform.
The agenda is expected to enhance the spirit of teamwork among
government departments, improving government performance and
improving the quality of services delivered to residents of the emirate,
as well as enhancing Abu Dhabi’s ability to attract inward investment.
It was swiftly followed by a more detailed Plan Abu Dhabi 2030,
covering the city of Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s federal capital, and adjacent
areas. Work began in late 2008 on a new Plan 2030 for the Western
Region of Abu Dhabi, now called Al Gharbia, in an effort to ensure that
this area receives its full share of economic and social development.

23
GOVERNMENT

One major initial step in the process of reform that was designed to Abu Dhabi, capital city of the
United Arab Emirates.
enhance public participation in government was the introduction of
indirect elections to the country’s parliament, the Federal National
Council (FNC). First announced by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed
Al Nahyan in his statement on the occasion of National Day on 2
December 2005, it provided for half of the FNC members for each
emirate to be elected by members of electoral colleges established by
each ruler, rather than being appointed by the ruler, as had previously
been the case. The 40 seats in the FNC are allocated to the individual
emirates on the basis of population and size, (eight each for Abu Dhabi
and Dubai, six each for Sharjah and Ra’s al-Khaimah, and four each for
Fujairah, Ajman and Umm al-Qaiwain).
The system of indirect
The elections were held in late 2006, seeing a respectably high
turnout and with one woman among the successful candidates. elections to the FNC,
Once the remaining seats for each emirate had been filled by which was instituted in
nomination from the rulers, the new Federal National Council had 2006, is perceived as
nine women amongst its 40 members, representing 22.2 per cent of being only a first stage
the total, an indication of the way in which the UAE’s women are
in the reforming of the
expanding their participation in all levels of government and
FNC’s role in
political society. The system of indirect elections now in operation is
government.
perceived as being only a first stage in the reforming of the FNC’s
role in government, while further reforms being considered are an
expansion of the number of FNC members, to reflect the increase in
the number of the country’s citizens, now many times larger than it



was when the UAE was founded in 1971. Consideration is also being
given to the introduction of an electoral process at local level,
although no timetable has yet been announced for this.

THE FEDERAL SYSTEM
The UAE Constitution The philosophy behind the federal state, officially entitled Dawlat al
Imarat al Arabiyya al Muttahida (State of the United Arab Emirates),
specifies the powers
was explained in a statement that was released on 2 December
that are allocated to
1971 as the new state was formally established:
the federal institutions,
all others remaining The United Arab Emirates has been established as an independent
the prerogative of the state, possessing sovereignty. It is part of the greater Arab nation. Its
aim is to maintain its independence, its sovereignty, its security and
individual emirates.
its stability, in defence against any attack on its entity or on the entity
of any of its member Emirates. It also seeks to protect the freedoms
and rights of its people and to achieve trustworthy co-operation between
the Emirates for the common good. Among its aims, in addition to the
purposes above described, is to work for the sake of the progress of the
country in all fields, for the sake of providing a better life for its citizens,
to give assistance and support to Arab causes and interests, and to
support the charter of the United Nations and international morals.
Each emirate already had its own existing institutions of government
prior to 1971 and, to provide for the effective governing of the new
state, the rulers agreed to draw up a provisional Constitution
specifying the powers that were to be allocated to the new federal
institutions, all others remaining the prerogative of the emirates.
Areas of responsibility assigned to the federal authorities, under
Articles 120 and 121 of the Constitution, were foreign affairs, security
and defence, nationality and immigration issues, education, public
health, currency, postal, telephone and other communications services,
air traffic control and licensing of aircraft, in addition to a number of
other topics specifically prescribed, including labour relations, banking,
delimitation of territorial waters and extradition of criminals. The
Constitution also stated in Article 116 that ‘the Emirates shall exercise
all powers not assigned to the Federation by this Constitution’. This
was reaffirmed in Article 122, which stated that ‘the Emirates shall
have jurisdiction in all matters not assigned to the exclusive jurisdiction
of the Federation, in accordance with the provision of the preceding
two Articles’.

25
GOVERNMENT

In May 1996, the UAE Federal Supreme Council approved two The UAE’s Federal National
Council in session.
amendments to the provisional Constitution, making it permanent
and naming Abu Dhabi as the capital of the state.
The federal system of government includes a Supreme Council, a
Cabinet, or Council of Ministers, a parliamentary body, the Federal
National Council, and an independent judiciary, at the apex of which is
the Federal Supreme Court. The Supreme Council comprises the rulers
of each of the emirates, who elect a president and a vice president
from amongst their number, to serve for a five-year, renewable, term.
The Federal Supreme Council has both legislative and executive The federal system of
powers. It ratifies federal laws and decrees, plans general policy, government includes a
approves the nomination of the prime minister and accepts his Supreme Council, a
resignation. It also relieves him of his post upon the recommendation Cabinet, or Council of
of the president.
Ministers, a
The Council of Ministers or Cabinet, described in the Constitution
parliamentary body,
as ‘the executive authority’ for the federation, includes the usual
the Federal National
complement of ministerial portfolios and is headed by a prime
Council, and an
minister, chosen by the president in consultation with his colleagues
independent judiciary.
on the Supreme Council. The prime minister, currently the vice
president (although this has not always been the case), then proposes
a list of ministers, these then being ratified by the president. The
current Cabinet was appointed on 17 February 2008, according to the
proposal of Vice President and Prime Minister HH Sheikh Mohammed



THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

SUPREME COUNCIL MEMBERS
HH President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi
HH Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai
HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah
HH Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ra’s al-Khaimah
HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah
HH Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman
HH Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain

CROWN PRINCES
HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy
Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai
HH Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah
HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ra’s al-Khaimah
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah
HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman
HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Crown Prince of Umm al-Qaiwain

DEPUTIES OF THE RULERS
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Industry
HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah
HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Salim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah
HH Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Ra’s al-Khaimah
HH Sheikh Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Deputy Ruler of Fujairah
HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Deputy Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain

27
GOVERNMENT

MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
Prime Minister: Vice President HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Deputy Prime Minister: HH Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Deputy Prime Minister: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Minister of Finance: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Minister of Interior: Lt Gen. HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Minister of Presidential Affairs: HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Minister of Foreign Affairs: HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
Minister of Public Works: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
Minister of Foreign Trade: Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi
Minister of Cabinet Affairs: Mohammed Abdullah Al Gargawi
Minister of Energy: Mohammed Dhaen Al Hamili
Minister of Economy: Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri
Minister of Social Affairs: Maryam Al Roumi
Minister of Education: Dr Hanif Hassan Ali
Minister of Health: Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qattami
Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development: Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais
Minister of Justice: Dr Hadef bin Juaan Al Dhahiri
Minister of Environment and Water: Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad
Minister of Labour: Saqr Ghobash Saeed Ghobash
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs: Dr Mohammed Anwar Gargash
Minister of State for Financial Affairs: Obaid Humaid Al Tayer
Minister of State: Dr Maitha Salem Al Shamsi
Minister of State: Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi



bin Rashid Al Maktoum, He had previously formed his first Cabinet
in 2006, following his accession as Ruler of Dubai and election as
Vice President.
Following the death of the Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain, HH Sheikh
Rashid bin Ahmed Al Mu’alla on 2 Januray 2009, he was succeeded
Constitutional by his son and Crown Prince HH Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla.
amendments agreed
FEDERAL NATIONAL COUNCIL
by the Federal
The Federal National Council (FNC) is drawn from the emirates on the
Supreme Council in
basis of their population. As noted above, this body, initially wholly
December 2008
appointed, has, since late 2006, had half of its members chosen
granted the FNC new
through a process of indirect elections.
powers to debate
Day-to-day operation of the FNC is governed by standing orders
foreign policy matters,
based on the provisions of Article 85 of the Constitution, first issued in
extended its term from
1972 and subsequently amended by Federal Decree No. 97 of 1977.
two to four years and The FNC plays an important role in consolidating the principles of
extended its annual shura (consultation) in the country. Presided over by a speaker, or
session from six to either of two deputy speakers, elected from amongst its members, the
seven months. FNC has both a legislative and supervisory role under the Constitution.
It is responsible for examining, and amending, if necessary, all
proposed federal legislation, and may summon and question any
federal minister regarding ministry performance. The current FNC is
chaired by Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Ghurair who was elected in 2006.
With its membership now partially elected, the FNC is currently
adopting a more pro-active role. In the long term, the objective is
that it will become a wholly elected body, although here, as elsewhere,
a cautious approach is being followed in the process of reform.

FEDERAL JUDICIARY
The federal judiciary, whose total independence is guaranteed under
the Constitution, includes the Federal Supreme Court and Courts of
First Instance. The Federal Supreme Court consists of five judges
appointed by the Supreme Council of Rulers. The judges decide on the
constitutionality of federal laws and arbitrate on inter-emirate disputes
and disputes between the Federal Government and the emirates.
HH General Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed Al
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu
Dhabi, Deputy Supreme
Parallel to, and interlocking with, the federal institutions, each emirate
Commander of the
also has its own local government. All have expanded significantly
UAE Armed Forces.

29
GOVERNMENT

as a result of the country’s growth over the last 37 years, though they
differ in complexity from emirate to emirate, depending on factors
such as population, area, and degree of development.
The largest and most populous emirate, Abu Dhabi, has its own
central governing organ, the Executive Council, chaired by the Crown
Prince, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, under which
there are a number of separate departments, equivalent to ministries.
A number of autonomous agencies, such as the Environmental Agency
– Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) the Abu
Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, (ADACH) and the Health
Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD) also exist, with clearly specified powers.
The emirate is divided into two regions, Al Gharbia (previously
known as the Western Region) and the Eastern Region, headed by
Ruler’s Representatives. The main cities, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, are
administered by municipalities, each with a nominated municipal
council, these coming under the Department of Municipalities and
Agriculture, while an additional municipal authority has also been
created for Al Gharbia.
Abu Dhabi’s National Consultative Council, chaired by a Speaker,
and with 60 members selected from among the emirate’s main
tribes and families, undertakes a role similar to that of the FNC on a
country-wide level.
The Dubai Executive Council, established in 2003, has similar
functions for the UAE’s second-largest emirate. In late 2006, Sheikh
Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, now also Crown
Prince of Dubai, was appointed as the Council’s new Chairman,
since which time it has overseen a drive by local departments to
improve their efficiency and the coordination between their various
activities, as well as efforts to upgrade the level of services offered
to the public. It is also responsible for assisting the Ruler, Vice
President and Prime Minister HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, in
preparation of development plans for the emirate and in formulation
and implementation of both federal and local legislation. Key recent
developments have included a strengthening of Dubai’s Roads and
Transport Authority and of the Land Department, both key players
in the management of the emirate’s rapid development.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin
Sharjah and Ajman also have Executive Councils, and Sharjah has
Mohammed bin Rashid
a Consultative Council that covers the whole emirate. In addition, Al Maktoum, Crown Prince
Sharjah, with three enclaves on the country’s east coast, has adopted of Dubai.

@ www.uaeinteract.com/fnc


the practice of devolving some authority on a local basis, with
branches of the Sharjah Emiri Diwan (Court), headed by deputy
chairmen, in both Kalba and Khor Fakkan. A similar pattern of
municipalities, departments and autonomous agencies can be found
in each of the other emirates. In smaller or more remote settlements,
the ruler of each emirate may choose a local representative, an emir
or wali, to act as a conduit through which the concerns of inhabitants
may be directed to government. In most cases, these are the leading
local tribal figures, whose authority derives both from their fellow
tribesmen and from the confidence placed in them by the ruler, an
example of the way in which leaders within the traditional system
have become involved with, and lend legitimacy to, the modern
structures of government.

FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The powers of the various federal institutions and their relationship
New systems of
with the separate local institutions have evolved and changed since
government have
the establishment of the state. Under the terms of the Constitution,
not replaced the
rulers may relinquish certain areas of authority to the Federal
traditional forms which
Government, one significant such decision being that to unify the
coexist and evolve
armed forces in the mid-1970s.
alongside them.
The relationship between the federal and local governments
continues to evolve. As a result of the country’s rapid economic and
social development since 1971, including an increasing population and
rising educational standards, local governments in each emirate
now seek to assume, or to re-assume, functions that had previously
been assigned to the Federal Government, although not a federal
responsibility under the terms of the country’s constitution. This
process is likely to continue, in part because many well-qualified
Emiratis prefer, naturally, to perform governmental tasks in their home
emirate. These new systems of government have not, however,
replaced the traditional forms that coexist and evolve alongside them.

TRADITIONAL GOVERNMENT
Traditionally, the ruler of an emirate, the sheikh, was the leader of
the most powerful, though not necessarily the most populous, tribe,
while each tribe, and often its sub-sections, also had a chief or
sheikh. These maintained their authority only insofar as they were
able to retain the support of their people, in essence a form of direct

31
GOVERNMENT

democracy. Part of that process was the unwritten but strong principle
that the people should have free access to their sheikh, and that he
should hold a frequent and open majlis, or council, in which his
fellow tribesmen could voice their opinions.
A continuing aspect of life in the UAE today, and one that is
essential to an understanding of its political system, is the way in
which the institution of the majlis maintains its relevance. In larger
emirates, not only the ruler, but also a number of other senior family
members, continue to hold open majlises (or majalis), in which
participants may raise a wide range of topics, both of personal
interest and of broader concern. In smaller emirates, the majlis of
the ruler himself, or of the crown prince or deputy ruler, remains the
main focus. To these majlises come traditionally minded tribesmen
who may have waited months for the opportunity to discuss with
their ruler directly, rather than pursuing their requests or complaints
through a modern governmental structure. Through such means,
the well-tested traditional methods of government in the United
Arab Emirates have been able to retain both their essential relevance
and unique vitality, and they continue to play an important role in
the evolution of the state today.

A BALANCED APPROACH
When the rulers of the emirates met 37 years ago to agree on the Despite the massive
forms of government for their new federal state, they deliberately economic growth and
chose not simply to copy from others but, instead, to work towards the social dislocation
a society that would offer the best of modern administration, while caused by an explosion
retaining the traditional forms of government, that, with their inherent in the population of the
commitment to consensus, discussion and direct democracy, offered UAE, the state has
the best features of the past.
enjoyed an enviable
With the benefit of hindsight, it is evident that they made the correct
degree of political
choice. For, despite the massive economic growth and the social
stability, largely due to
dislocation caused by an explosion in the population, the state has
the marrying of
enjoyed political stability. During the last few decades there have been
traditional and modern
numerous attempts to create federal states, both in the Arab world and
forms of government.
elsewhere. The UAE is the only one in the Arab world to have stood the
test of time, proof of that being the smooth transition that occurred, in
government and throughout the country, following the death of the
federation’s founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.



SHEIKH KHALIFA BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN

HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was elected as President of the United
Arab Emirates on 3 November 2004, to succeed his father, the late HH Sheikh
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAE President from 1971 to 2004, from whom, he
has said, he learned‘the need for patience and prudence in all things’.
Over the course of the last year, HH Sheikh Khalifa has continued to
demonstrate, both at home and in terms of the country’s external relations, that
he is strongly committed not only to the secure and stable development of the
UAE but also to its active participation in the international community.
Of particular importance at a local level was his decision late in 2008 to take
swift and decisive action to support the local economy, then being buffeted by
the global economic crisis. Although the UAE’s banking institutions are generally
well-funded, problems elsewhere were causing a worrying erosion of consumer
confidence. In September and October, the President ordered that the UAE
Central Bank should make a total of Dh120 billion (US$32.7 billion) available to
local banks, to help them maintain adequate levels of liquidity. His initiative
had an immediate effect in terms of restoring confidence. By the end of the
year, it was apparent that the UAE had succeeded in weathering at least the
worst aspects of the storm.
At an international level, the President met regularly with visiting leaders and
statesmen (see Foreign Affairs) and also oversaw the expansion of the country’s
programme of development aid and humanitarian assistance (see Foreign Aid),
as well as continuing to be a generous private donor. Recent donations have
included millions of US dollars for relief of flood victims in Yemen and in Pakistan’s
Baluchistan province.
Issues related to developments in the Arab world have, of course, continued
to be a major concern. In a statement on the occasion of the twentieth Arab
Summit in Damascus in March 2008, the President noted:

The circumstances through which the Arab Nation is currently passing require a
unified Arab stance, deeper consultations to eventually produce collective visions
and decisions in order to overcome serious challenges facing the present and
future of our Arab Nation, in particular the current situation in the occupied
Palestinian Territories, the ongoing Israeli siege on Gaza Strip, the situation in
Lebanon and in Iraq, in addition to the dangers that loom over other Arab
countries threatening their stability and security.
Despite all the difficult situations facing our Nation, we are completely confident
that a unified and one stance by the Arab Nation which already has the needed

33
GOVERNMENT

capabilities would enable Arabs to overcome each and every obstacle as well as
achieve our common interests and goals.

Within the context of Arab affairs, Sheikh Khalifa has continued to emphasise
the country’s commitment to the six-member Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC)
which is seen as a fundamental building bloc for the long-term development of
greater co-operation throughout the region.
One wider focus of the President’s attention has been the challenges
posed by globalisation and the consequent necessity to devote resources to
tackling poverty and to spreading knowledge. In a message to the third
Global Knowledge Conference, held in Malaysia at the end of 2007, he noted
that the Arab world had, over the centuries, been a major contributor to the
dissemination of practical and science-based knowledge.
Among today’s key issues, he said, ‘there is perhaps none as important for
the future of our globe than the transmission of knowledge in an efficient
and equitable manner . . . We, in the Arab world, are anxious to participate in
these decisions and to engage others in taking the right path toward peace
and justice.’
Referring to the UAE’s own growth since it was formed in 1971, he went on:

we understand that if we hope to continue this progress we must continue to
focus on the transmission of knowledge for the sake of human development. . .
All of us have a stake in human development across the globe and we must carve
out a path to deliver the knowledge that will enhance the quality of life for our
fellow men and women . . .’
I know there are some who view globalisation as a negative and they point
out the distinct possibility that it will lead to greater inequities between the
‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ of the globe . . . This, however, can be avoided if we
make careful decisions regarding the transmission of knowledge and if we do so
with an eye toward equity and the good of all mankind. . . We must make wise
decisions now to bring about a better world for future generations.

Since becoming President, Sheikh Khalifa has overseen dramatic changes in
the structure of government, both at a federal level and in the Emirate of Abu
Dhabi. In the latter, particular attention has been paid to two aspects –
improvements in terms of efficiency and cost for services provided to the
public and the opening up of much of the economy to provide greater scope
for direct private investment and for public-private partnerships. During the

@ www.uaeinteract.com/sheikh_khalifa


SHEIKH KHALIFA BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN

early years of the federation, he believes, it was appropriate for government
to play the leading role, but now, with a burgeoning private sector and with a
well-educated population, the time is right for government to concentrate on
its core areas of responsibility. Now, the people of the UAE must take upon
themselves the task of contributing effectively. He noted in 2005 that:

It is high time for our political, religious, cultural, information, educational and
civil society institutions to take up their responsibilities to instil in our society the
values of love of work, to change the negative perceptions about vocational
work. It is high time to make them understand the true meaning of work – that it
means responsibility and reflects human, civil and religious values. These
institutions also need to work hard to diversify the skills of the national human
resources, to raise productivity, encourage investment in human resources
development, improve voluntary work and create awareness of this noble work
and its significance to individuals and society in general.

His character and performance as President, of course, can only be properly
understood in the context of his earlier life. He assumed his posts as Ruler of
Sheikh Khalifa with President
Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates in 2004 after many
Nicolas Sarkozy of France.
decades working closely with his father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,
the founder of the federation.
Born in the inland oasis-city of Al Ain in 1948, Sheikh Khalifa was educated
in the local school. On 18 September 1966, following his father’s assumption
of the post of Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa was appointed as Ruler’s
Representative in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi and as Head of the Courts
Department in Al Ain.
On 1 February 1969 Sheikh Khalifa was nominated as Crown Prince of Abu
Dhabi, this being followed on 2 February 1969 by his appointment as the
Head of the Abu Dhabi Department of Defence, in which post he oversaw the
building up of the Abu Dhabi Defence Force (ADDF), which later became the
nucleus of the UAE Armed Forces.
On 1 July 1971, Sheikh Khalifa was appointed Prime Minister of Abu Dhabi
and Minister of Defence and Finance. On 23 December 1973, he assumed the
post of Deputy Prime Minister in the second UAE Federal Cabinet. Shortly
afterwards, when the Cabinet of Abu Dhabi was dissolved, as part of the process
of strengthening the institutions of the UAE Federation, Sheikh Khalifa was
appointed, on 20 January 1974, as the first Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive
Council, which replaced the emirate’s Cabinet. He was succeeded in this post in

35
GOVERNMENT

November 2004 by Crown Prince HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Under Sheikh Khalifa’s direction, and in accordance with the instructions of
HH Sheikh Zayed, the Executive Council oversaw the implementation of a wide-
ranging development programme in Abu Dhabi.
Of particular importance in terms of ensuring that citizens benefited from
the country’s increasing wealth was the establishment by Sheikh Khalifa in
1981 of the Abu Dhabi Department of Social Services and Commercial
Buildings, charged with the provision of loans to citizens for construction.
The establishment of the Department, popularly known as the ‘Khalifa
Committee’, followed another decision taken by Sheikh Khalifa in 1979 to
alleviate the burden on citizens of the repayment of loans from the
commercial banks.
A further step to ensure that citizens were able to build the properties that
they needed, both for residential and for investment purposes, came with the
creation by Sheikh Khalifa of the Private Loans Authority, early in 1991.
President HH Sheikh Khalifa has also been involved extensively in other
areas of the country’s development. In May 1976, following the unification of
the armed forces of the Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa was nominated as Deputy
Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. In this capacity, he devoted
much attention to the building up of the country’s defensive capability,
through the establishment of many military training institutions and through
the procurement of the latest military equipment and training.
Sheikh Khalifa has held a number of other top posts in the Abu Dhabi
government. Since the late 1980s, for example, he has been Chairman of the
Supreme Petroleum Council, responsible for oversight of Abu Dhabi’s upstream
and downstream oil and gas industries, although he has also actively
encouraged diversification of the country’s economy away from dependence
on its depletable reserves of hydrocarbons.
He is also Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, which oversees
management of the emirate’s financial reserves and investments and was
until 2006 the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD),
which handles the country’s international development assistance programme,
and Honorary Chairman of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD).
He has stated that his key objectives as President of the United Arab
Emirates will be to continue on the path laid down by his father, whose
legacy, he says, ‘will continue to be the beacon guiding us into the future, a
prosperous future where security and stability will reign.’

@ www.uaeinteract.com/sheikh_khalifa


SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime
Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was born in 1949, the third of the four
sons of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai (1958–1990) and
UAE Vice President (1971–1990).
Having finished secondary school in Dubai in 1966, HH Sheikh Mohammed
enrolled in the Bell School of Languages in Cambridge and then attended
Mons Officer Cadet School. In November 1968, he was appointed as Head of
Dubai Police and Public Security.
In addition to his academic education, HH Sheikh Mohammed acquired a
considerable amount of knowledge through being close to his father, Sheikh
Rashid, and frequently attending his majlis, which was always crowded with
intellectuals, politicians, businessmen and Dubai’s high-profile guests.
He grew up to witness important developments in the region, including
the creation of the federation between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which launched
the establishment of the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971. He was
subsequently appointed as the UAE’s first Minister of Defence.
HH Sheikh Mohammed gained deep knowledge of the regional and global
situation and of international affairs. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
trusted Sheikh Mohammed and relied on him, taking him to Arab, Gulf and
Islamic summits and involving him in following up on the important regional
events since the early 1970s.

Sheikh Mohammed enjoying one of his favourite pastimes, endurance racing.

37
GOVERNMENT

Sheikh Mohammed with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on a state visit to China in 2008.

HH Sheikh Mohammed also took part in the building of Dubai, being
assigned by Sheikh Rashid major responsibilities in the economic sector, in
addition to his responsibilities for police and public security.
When Sheikh Rashid passed away in October 1990, his oldest son, Sheikh
Maktoum, succeeded him as Dubai Ruler and UAE Vice President. On 4 January
1995, Sheikh Maktoum appointed his brother Mohammed as Crown Prince of
Dubai and assigned him the tasks of governing Dubai. In only a few years, HH
Sheikh Mohammed succeeded in establishing the emirate as a tourism
destination and a global hub for business, trade, media, information technology,
aviation and financial services.
HH Sheikh Mohammed has always shown interest in the Arab world and
has voiced support for Arab causes. His aid and support have extended to all
parts of the Arab and Islamic worlds.
Following the death of his brother, Sheikh Maktoum, HH Sheikh Mohammed
bin Rashid Al Maktoum became the Ruler of Dubai on 4 January 2006.
HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates
subsequently nominated HH Sheikh Mohammed as UAE Prime Minister, and the
Supreme Council approved this nomination on 5 January 2006, also electing
HH Sheikh Mohammed as UAE Vice President. HH Sheikh Mohammed then
launched a campaign of administrative and legislative reforms that has resulted
in the first proper strategy for the UAE Federal Government and institutional and
ministerial restructuring. Under his premiership, the Government also
succeeded in carrying out the first elections for the Federal National Council.
HH Sheikh Mohammed has explained his extensive experience of the
development process in his book My Vision – Challenges in the Race for

@ www.uaeinteract.com/sheikh_mohammed


SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM

Excellence. In this, he stresses leadership and pioneering as the most
important factors for a successful development process and as being the two
necessary conditions for excellence.
In this context, HH Sheikh Mohammed says:
The UAE experience represents a role model for what a country can achieve
when it is blessed by a leadership that cares about people and works in the
interests of the whole community. Credibility in this drive is achieved by
actions not sayings. This makes the big difference between a leadership that
considers people as the real wealth of the nation and another that considers
them as the real burden.
To overcome challenges of a new century in a new millennium, we need a new
way of thinking and innovative approaches that help us achieve social
development and accelerate the development process. We need to change our
thinking patterns, to be able to understand the world’s language, to convey our
mission and stances clearly and simply so that the whole world can understand
us. This will help deepen cooperation and eliminate misunderstanding among
nations and will give the chance to direct all efforts towards development.
HH Sheikh Mohammed believes that Arabs share the same destiny. He says
in his book: ‘This continuous division is not normal. What is normal is for all
of us to be united. I wish for all the Arab brothers the same as I do for the
UAE. I hope they will be at the same level of the developed countries. I
expect them to reign, to lead, to achieve excellence in all fields.’
He also believes in the ability of the Arabs to achieve development. ‘Our
accomplishments are not just for us but for our Arab brothers. Dubai’s
projects are for all the Arabs, and I will never stop sharing our experience
with whoever can gain from them. In addition, we are committed to offer
our brothers all the possible support.’
HH Sheikh Mohammed has launched a number of initiatives to enhance
the key role played by the UAE on the regional and global arenas. In 2007, he
established the ‘Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation’ to
participate in the development of knowledge in the Arab world (see Media &
Culture). In the same year, he launched the‘Dubai Cares’campaign to improve
children’s access to primary education in developing countries. In its first year,
Dubai Cares succeeded in helping four million children in 13 countries in Asia
and Africa. In 2008, he launched Noor Dubai initiative for the prevention and
treatment of blindness and impaired vision (see Foreign Aid).
Sheikh Mohammed enjoys horse-riding, shooting and hunting. He is
also fond of Arabic poetry, being a master of the local style Nabati poetry.

39
GOVERNMENT

The foreign policy of
FOREIGN POLICY
the UAE is based upon
The foreign policy of the United Arab Emirates is based upon a set of a belief in the need for
guiding principles laid down by the country’s first President, Sheikh justice in international
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. These are based upon a belief in the need dealings between
for justice in international dealings between states, including the
states, including the
necessity of adhering to the principle of non-interference in the
necessity of adhering
internal affairs of others and the pursuit, wherever possible, of peaceful
to the principle of non-
resolutions of disputes, together with a support for international
interference in the
institutions, such as the United Nations.
internal affairs of
Within the Arabian Gulf region, and in the broader Arab world, the
others and the pursuit
UAE has sought to enhance cooperation and to resolve disagreement
of peaceful resolutions
through dialogue. Thus one of the central features of the country’s
foreign policy has been the development of closer ties with its of disputes.
neighbours in the Arabian Peninsula. The Arab Gulf Cooperation
Council (AGCC), grouping the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain,
Qatar and Oman, was founded at a summit conference held in Abu
Dhabi in May 1981, and has since become, with strong UAE support,
an effective and widely respected grouping.
President HH Sheikh Khalifa sees the promotion of intra-GCC ties as
being a fundamental element in the UAE’s foreign policy. ‘I strongly
believe that the Gulf region is one entity and one area,’ he has said.
‘Unity is strength. It is my hope that we would be able to forge a
greater union or federation, across the Gulf, not just in the UAE, and
the success of our federation in the UAE is a cause for hope. Unity is
a conviction and a belief.’
In its desire to work with other members of the international
community to promote the search for a just and lasting peace in
the Middle East, the UAE continued to urge other governments to
become pro-active on the issue throughout 2008. Leading UAE
officials, including the President, the Vice President and the Foreign
Minister have held discussions, both in the UAE and elsewhere, with
other global leaders, on ways to revitalise the peace process. The
election of a new US President in November 2008 brought the hope President Sheikh Khalifa bin
that a new approach might be adopted in Washington during 2009. Zayed Al Nahyan confers at
the opening session of the
At the same time, the UAE frequently reaffirmed its support for
Arab Summit in Damascus.
the Palestinian people and for the Palestine Authority, while calling
on the Palestinians to unite so as to face effectively the challenges
before them.

@ www.uaeinteract.com/foreign_policy


In a speech to the United Nations in October, in which he noted the
UAE’s concerns ‘about Israel’s growing lack of interest in negotiations’,
Foreign Minister HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan repeated
the call for the world community to act.
We call upon the International Community and, in particular, the United
Nations Security Council and the Middle East Quartet of powers, to
exert further pressure on Tel Aviv, so that it lifts the siege it has imposed
on the Palestinian people, and implements the international resolutions
related to the ending of its occupation of all those Palestinian and Arab
territories seized in 1967, including the Holy City of Jerusalem, the
Golan Heights and Lebanese territory. Such an ending of occupation
would be in compliance with legitimate international resolutions and
with the Arab Peace Initiative, which constitutes a sincere and practical
option for a solution of the Arab-Israeli conflict in such a way as to
guarantee both Israeli security and self-determination for the
Palestinians, through their exercising of their inalienable right to
establish their own independent state with Jerusalem as its capital, in
conformity with the Road Map for the peace process.
The UAE was an active participant in the decision of the March 2008
Arab summit, held in Damascus, to continue to promote the initiative
Former British Prime Minister agreed by an earlier Beirut summit as a practical and real solution to
and Middle East Quartet
the Middle East crisis, noting that it took into account the fundamental
Representative, Tony Blair.
factors that must be included in any settlement.
The UAE continued throughout 2008 to provide support to the
Government of Iraq. Addressing a conference of Arab Foreign Ministers
in April, the UAE Foreign Minister said that the UAE would continue to
work through existing bilateral and collective frameworks to serve the
interests of Iraq and its people in order to sustain efforts for peace,
security and stability in the region and the world at large. ‘The states of
the Gulf Co-operation Council all share the hope that our whole region
may become stable and prosperous. As part of that aspiration, we
all look forward to Iraq being a full and active partner, both
contributing to the process of development and benefiting from it as
this will contribute to maintaining security, stability and prosperity in
our region’, he said.
Support for the Government in Iraq was not confined simply to
the political sphere. During 2008, the UAE was among the first Arab
countries to re-open its diplomatic mission in Baghdad while in August,
on the instructions of President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al

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