Government and Politics of United Arab Emirates

Government Type

federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates

Administrative Divisions

7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn

Legal System

federal court system introduced in 1971; all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah are not fully integrated into the federal system; all emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courts

Suffrage

none

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates; if the father is unknown, the mother must be a citizen dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 30 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President MUHAMMAD bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 14 May 2022), ruler of Abu Dhabi (since 13 May 2022); Vice President and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006), ruler of Dubai head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Minister SAIF bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 2009); Deputy Prime Minister MANSUR bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; the rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai hold effective veto power elections: president and vice president are elected by the FSC for five-year terms (no term limits); MUHAMMAD bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan was elected president on 14 May 2022 following the death of President KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan on 13 May 2022; the prime minister and deputy prime ministers are appointed by the president election results: MUHAMMAD bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan elected president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum unanimously reaffirmed as vice president and prime minister

Legislative Branch

Unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; 20 members indirectly elected by an Electoral College whose members are appointed by the rulers of the constituent emirates, and 20 members directly appointed by the rulers; members serve four-year terms). Elections: The UAE introduced limited electoral participation in 2006, when indirect elections were first held for half of the FNC's 40 seats. The Electoral College, whose members are selected by the rulers of the seven emirates, votes for the 20 elected seats, while the remaining 20 seats are filled by direct appointment. Women are eligible to both vote and stand as candidates. The most recent elections were held in October 2023. Note: The FNC serves an advisory and legislative review function. It may examine, propose amendments to, and debate federal legislation and the national budget, but it does not hold full legislative authority and cannot veto laws passed by the Supreme Council or the Cabinet.

Judicial Branch

Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Political Parties

none

Head of State

President MUHAMMAD bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi

Head of Government

Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum

Cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

Elections

The UAE introduced limited electoral participation in 2006, when indirect elections were first held for half of the FNC's 40 seats. The Electoral College, whose members are selected by the rulers of the seven emirates, votes for the 20 elected seats, while the remaining 20 seats are filled by direct appointment. Women are eligible to both vote and stand as candidates. The most recent elections were held in October 2023. Note: The FNC serves an advisory and legislative review function. It may examine, propose amendments to, and debate federal legislation and the national budget, but it does not hold full legislative authority and cannot veto laws passed by the Supreme Council or the Cabinet.

Constitution

2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996)

Independence

2 December 1971 (from UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 2 December (1971)

International Organization Participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Asri Said Ahmad al-DHAHIRI chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432 consulate(s): New York, Houston

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Michele J. SISON embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200 FAX: [971] (2) 414-2469 consulate(s) general: Dubai

Capital City

Abu Dhabi

Location

24 28 N, 54 22 E

Time Difference

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

History

in Arabic, abu means "father" and dhabi refers to "gazelle"; the name may derive from an abundance of gazelles that used to live in the area, as well as a folk tale involving the "Father of the Gazelle," Shakhbut BIN DHIYAB AL NAHYAN, whose hunting party tracked a gazelle to a spring on the island where Abu Dhabi was founded

U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi Physical Address: Embassies District, Plot 38, Sector W59-02, Street No. 4. Mailing Address: US Embassy in Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi, UAE Telephone: (971) (2) 414-2200 Emergency after-hours telephone: (971) (2) 414-2200 Facsimile: (971) (2) 414-2241 U.S. Consulate General in Dubai Physical address: At the corner of Al Seef Rd. and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Rd, Dubai, U.A.E. Mailing address: U.S. Consulate General Dubai, P.O. Box 121777, Dubai, UAE Telephone: (971) (4) 309-4000 Emergency after-hours telephone: (971) (4) 309-4000 Facsimile (971) (4) 311-6213 The work week for both the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai is Sunday through Thursday.

Military Branches

United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Critical Infrastructure Coastal Patrol Agency (CNIA), Land Forces, Navy, Air Force and Air Defense, Border and Coast Guard Directorate (BCGD)

Service Age and Obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; 18 years of age for officers and women; no conscription; 16-22 years of age for candidates for the UAE Naval College