Federal Decree-Law No

Federal Decree Law No. 14

Issued on 26/09/2016

Corresponding to 24 Dhu Al-Hijjah 1437 H

AMENDING SOME PROVISIONS OF THE FEDERAL LAW NO. (1) OF 1972 ON THE COMPETENCIES OF MINISTRIES AND POWERS OF MINISTERS

Amending

The Federal Law no. 1/1972 dated 02/02/1972

The Federal Decree no. 1/2006 dated 28/03/2006

The Federal Decree no. 10/2008 dated 28/09/2008

The Federal Decree no. 2/2013 dated 26/08/2013

Abrogating

The Federal Law no. 4/1992 dated 13/01/1992

The Federal Law no. 47/1992 dated 10/12/1992

The Federal Law no. 27/1999 dated 01/11/1999

The Federal Law no. 11/2004 dated 20/07/2004

The Federal Law no. 6/2008 dated 14/12/2008

Abrogating implicitly

The Cabinet Decision no. 20/2013 dated 03/07/2013

Amended implicitly by virtue of

The Federal Decree-Law no. 14 dated 18/09/2017

The Federal Decree-Law no. 16 dated 27/09/2020

We, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates,

Pursuant to the perusal of the Constitution;

Federal Law no. (1) of 1972 on the Competencies of Ministries and Powers of Ministers, and its amendments;

Federal Law no. (13) of 1976 on Cooperatives;

Federal Law no. (5) of 1983 on Nurseries;

Federal Law no. (4) of 1992 on the establishment and organisation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research;

Federal Law no. (47) of 1992 on the establishment of the Marriage Fund, and its amendments;

Federal Law no. (27) of 1999 on the establishment of the National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority;

Federal Law no. (11) of 2004 on the establishment of the Institute of Training and Judicial Studies;

Federal Law no. (6) of 2008 on the establishment of the National Council of Tourism and Antiquities;

Federal Decree-Law no. (8) of 2011 on the Rules for the Preparation of the Public Budget and Final Accounts;

And according to the approval of the Cabinet,

Issued the following Decree-Law:

Article 1 - Ministerial Development Council

a- The name “Ministerial Council For Services” shall be replaced by “Ministerial Development Council”, wherever mentioned in any federal legislation.

b- The Ministerial Development Council shall:

1- Follow the performance of the federal government agencies in the implementation of the government's general policy, and issue binding instructions in their regard within the exercise of the jurisdiction prescribed for the same.

2- Study the workflow reports at the Ministries and government agencies in order to determine their commitment to the government's general policy and issue necessary measures in their regard.

3- Carry out the necessary contacts with the competent authorities in the UAE in the field of application of its competencies.

4- Follow the implementation of the laws, decrees and regulations and issue instructions in the matters referred to it by the President of the State, the Cabinet or the Prime Minister.

5- Study the subjects referred to it by the President of the State, the Cabinet or Prime Minister and issue the necessary directives thereon.

6- Study the reports submitted by Ministries, authorities and public institutions related to the participation in conferences, meetings and official visits.

7- Study the appropriate solutions to improve the level of services provided to citizens, particularly concerning health, education, housing, roads, various transport means, electricity, water and communication means, and take the necessary steps in this regard while following the implementation thereof.

8- Request any data or clarifications from government agencies. The Council may assign one or more of its members to study any of the subjects related to it and submit a report of the study result.

9- Follow the governmental development plans and programmes that achieve the aspirations of the future government and make appropriate recommendations in their regard to the Cabinet.

10- Any other competencies assigned by the Cabinet.

Article 2 - Ministry of Culture and Youth

a- The name "Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development" shall be replaced by the name "Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development", wherever mentioned in any Federal legislation.

b- The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development shall have the competencies assigned to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development in the Federal Law no. (1) of 1972 on the Competencies of Ministries and Powers of Ministers, and its amendments, except the competencies related to the community development.

c- In addition to the competencies set forth in paragraph (b) of this Article, the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development shall have the following competencies:

1-Developing policies and programs that support and protect the Arabic language.

2- Suggesting and preparing policies and programs that support the knowledge development at the State.

3- Taking care of all cultural and knowledge activities.

4- Preserving ruins, conducting archaeological excavations and taking necessary action to protect the same, register them, revive them and display them inside and outside the State in cooperation and coordination with the local competent authorities.

5- Preserving the national identity and strengthening national belonging.

6- Suggesting to accede to international treaties and conventions and suggesting partnership agreements with regional and international organisations related to the Ministry's activities and competencies, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

7- Representing the State in international and regional organisations, exhibitions and conferences in the fields of specialisation of the Ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

8- Any other competencies assigned to it by the Law or by a Cabinet Decision.

Article 3 - Ministry of Cabinet Affairs

a- The name "Ministry of Cabinet Affairs" shall be replaced by the name "Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and Future", wherever mentioned in any Federal legislation.

b- The Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and Future shall have the competencies assigned to the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs in the Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 on the Competencies of the Ministries and Powers of the Ministers, and its amendments.

c- In addition to the competencies set forth in paragraph (b) of this Article, the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and Future shall have the following competencies:

1- Developing strategies related to the future outlook and ensuring to keep up with all the sectors and their variants and to follow the programs and policies related to such strategy.

2- Suggesting to accede to international treaties and conventions and suggesting partnership agreements with regional and international organisations related to the Ministry's activities and competencies, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

3- Representing the State in international and regional organisations, exhibitions and conferences in the fields of specialisation of the Ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

4- Any other competencies assigned to it by the Law or by a Cabinet Decision.

Article 4 - Ministry of Economy

a- The Ministry of Economy shall have the competencies assigned to it and stated in the Federal Law no. (1) of 1972 on the Competencies of Ministries and Powers of Ministers, and its amendments.

b- In addition to the competencies set forth in paragraph (a) of this Article, the Ministry of Economy shall have the following competencies:

1- Developing and promoting tourism both internally and externally in coordination with the competent local authorities.

2- Developing and organising the cooperatives sector in the State and overseeing the implementation of the provisions of the Federal Law No. (13) of 1976 on Cooperatives, as well as the implementing regulations and decisions issued in its regard.

3- Suggesting to accede to international treaties and conventions and suggesting partnership agreements with regional and international organisations related to the Ministry's activities and competencies, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

4- Representing the State in international and regional organisations, exhibitions and conferences in the fields of specialisation of the Ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

5- Any other competencies assigned to it by the Law or by a Cabinet Decision.

Article 5 - Ministry of Health and Prevention

a- The name "Ministry of Health" shall be replaced by the name "Ministry of Health and Prevention", wherever mentioned in any Federal legislation.

b- The Ministry of Health and Prevention shall have the following competencies:

1- Suggesting policies, strategies and standards related to the public health and health welfare sector to provide effective and efficient health services.

2- Developing public policies and preventive programs that would maintain human health and developing the educational tools supporting the same in order to protect the community and promote the concept of healthy community.

3- Suggesting and preparing policies and setting the standards and controls related to hospitals, health facilities and preventive medicine in the State.

4- Suggesting and preparing health and preventive policies to combat infectious diseases and epidemics and monitoring the application of the same by the concerned authorities.

5- Suggesting and preparing legislations regulating the health sector in the State.

6- Supervising the initiatives, programs and projects that would raise the level of the health sector at the State.

7- Planning and coordinating with the concerned authorities inside and outside the State to promote and develop the healthcare and public health sector.

8- Coordinating with the relevant Authorities inside and outside the State concerning the management of emergencies, crises and health disasters.

9- Encouraging and promoting scientific research in the fields of health and preventive medicine and encouraging relevant sectors to participate.

10- Granting licences to the persons and facilities to exercise medical, health and pharmaceutical professions and activities at the State and oversee the implementation thereof in coordination with the competent health authorities.

11- Registering drugs, pharmaceutical products and the like and imposing administrative control on drugs and pharmaceutical products and their circulation mechanism.

12- Organising health declarations, practising human medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and trading of drugs, nursing, obstetrics and control of dangerous drugs and narcotics in medical laboratories.

13- Organising and managing federal health insurance activities, coverage field and control of the application thereof, in coordination with the concerned authorities at the State.

14- Establishing a unified database for patients at the State's level.

15- Concluding agreements with the local competent authorities to delegate them some of the Ministry's operational competencies, after the consent of the Cabinet.

16- Suggesting to accede to international treaties and conventions and suggesting partnership agreements with regional and international organisations related to the Ministry's activities and competencies, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

17- Representing the State in international and regional organisations, exhibitions and conferences in the fields of specialisation of the Ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

18- Any other competencies assigned to it by the Law or by a Cabinet Decision.

Article 6 - Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation

a- The name "Ministry of Labour" shall be replaced by the name "Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation", wherever mentioned in any Federal legislation.

b- The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation shall have the competencies assigned to the Ministry of Labour and stated in the Federal Law no. (1) of 1972 on the Competencies of Ministries and Powers of Ministers, and its amendments.

c- In addition to the competencies set forth in paragraph (b) of this Article, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation shall have the following competencies:

1- Developing the general policy for the Emiratisation of human resources at the labour market and overseeing the implementation thereof.

2- Conducting ongoing field and management analysis and studies for the labour market.

3- Providing professional consultancy and guidance for the national workforce.

4- Providing follow-up and evaluation of the process of recruitment of nationals in the private sector.

5- Supporting small investment enterprises through the implementation of self-employment projects for national human resources.

6- Preparing programs for the training and rehabilitation of nationals looking for work.

7- Coordinating and directing training and education programs at the training and educational establishments at the State, in line with the labour market requirements.

d- Supervising the assistance service workers’ category according to the legislations regulating this category.

9- Suggesting to accede to international treaties and conventions and suggesting partnership agreements with regional and international organisations related to the Ministry's activities and competencies, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

10- Representing the State in international and regional organisations, exhibitions and conferences in the fields of specialisation of the Ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

11- Any other competencies assigned to it by the Law or by a Cabinet Decision.

Article 7 - Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure

a- The Ministry of Energy and Industry

shall have the competencies assigned to it and stated in the Federal Law no. (1) of 1972 on the Competencies of Ministries and Powers of Ministers, and its amendments.

b- In addition to the competencies set forth in paragraph (a) of this Article, the Ministry of Energy and Industry

shall have the following competencies:

1- Developing plans, strategies and policies related to water resources.

2- Developing programs and legislations that would raise the contribution of the water sector in providing water security to the State.

3- Evaluating water resources at the State and determining the programs and methods that would improve the management thereof and preserve the same.

4- Suggesting to accede to international treaties and conventions and suggesting partnership agreements with regional and international organisations related to the Ministry's activities and competencies, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

5- Representing the State in international and regional organisations, exhibitions and conferences in the fields of specialisation of the Ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

6- Any other competencies assigned to it by the Law or by a Cabinet Decision.

Article 8 – Ministry of Education

a- The Ministry of Education shall have the following competencies:

1- Carrying out affairs related to education in the Federation and supervising the means of advancement thereof.

2- Suggesting and preparing policies, strategies and standards related to the sector of education, higher education and scientific research at the State, including vocational, technical, private and continuing education, which enhances the achievement of the future vision and trends of the State in the development of education services and raising the efficiency thereof, in a way that is consistent with the needs of the labour market.

3- Suggesting and preparing public policies, regulations of curricula and formation thereof and supervising the development and provision plans thereof for all schools.

4- Suggesting and preparing policies, standards and regulations related to the establishment and management of schools,

kindergarten and government institutes in the State.

5- Suggesting and preparing the public policy of the study missions and aids and following their affairs inside and outside the State, while taking into account the need of the community and labour market and competencies provided by the higher education institutions in the State.

6- Suggesting and preparing legislations related to the Ministry's competencies, including the legislations that ensure the quality of education's outcomes.

7- Establishing university institutes and supervising the same.

8- Supervising private education in the State, including the licensing thereof, approving the academic curricula related to the same, as well as technical, vocational and continuing education.

9- Preparing the performance regulation and standards related to the licensing and evaluation of all public educational institutions related to the provision of educational services at the State in collaboration with the National Qualifications Authority.

10- Granting professional licences to the human personnel in the State working in the education sector.

11- Participating with Ministries and concerned authorities in establishing the licensing system for the exercise of professions requiring high qualifications.

12- Supervising the management of national and international tests operations.

13- Implementing the provisions of the Federal Law No. (5) of 1983 on nurseries and the implementing regulations and decisions issued in its regard.

14- Planning and organising the control operations to ensure quality in government and private schools, including the elements of quality, methodology and tools as per a standardised time frame.

15- Licensing the establishment of private higher education institutions and supervising the same within the framework of the general plan for higher education.

16- Achieving coordination and integration among the budgets related to the government institutions of higher education and scientific research.

17- Achieving coordination and integration among the higher education institutions in the fields of specialisation and degrees awarded in each, within the framework of the general plan for higher education.

18- Coordinating with the concerned parties concerning the students' admission policies and their distribution standards on the various specialisation fields in the higher education institutions at the State, according to the community's needs.

19- Overseeing the dispatch of educational delegations and providing scholarships.

20- Recognising the higher education authorities and institutions operating outside the State and equalising the certificates granted.

21- Developing scientific research institutions and transferring technologies within the development requirements in community.

22- Coordinating with Ministries and public and private authorities in a way achieving an effective level of participation in the education, training and scientific research activities and ensuring the objectives of comprehensive development.

23- Coordinating with Emirates School Education Foundation

to ensure the application of policies and strategies to improve government education.

24- Concluding agreements with the local competent authorities to delegate them some of the Ministry's operational competencies, after the consent of the Cabinet.

25- Planning and coordination with entities inside and outside the State to promote and develop the education sector.

26- Suggesting to accede to international treaties and conventions and suggesting partnership agreements with regional and international organisations related to the Ministry's activities and competencies, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

27- Representing the State in international and regional organisations, exhibitions and conferences in the fields of specialisation of the Ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

28- Any other competencies assigned to it by the Law or by a Cabinet Decision.

Article 9 - Ministry of Community Development

a- The name "Ministry of Social Affairs" shall be replaced by the name "Ministry of Community Development", wherever mentioned in any Federal legislation.

b- The Ministry of Community Development shall have the following competencies:

1- Developing and implementing policies, strategies and programs necessary for the community development and for the promotion thereof.

2- Establishing and developing social benefits and social empowerment policy.

3- Preparing social work policies and controls in its various fields and sectors and evaluating the inputs and outputs of development and community care programs.

4- Suggesting and preparing federal legislations related to community development.

5- Employing and promoting the participation of government and private authorities, institutions and individuals for the development and support of social work and community development.

6- Establishing social welfare institutions and implementing development projects for all family members and persons with special needs and enabling them to integrate and participate effectively in the community.

7- Developing the general policy for the marriage grants, approving recommendations related to the disbursement of marriage grants and overseeing the disbursement procedures.

8- Providing technical and material aid to the member Emirates to enable them to implement the legislations entrusted to them.

9- Overseeing the expenditure of financial allocations decided in the Federation's budget for Community Development according to the urgent need of some Emirates in agreement with the authorities of the concerned Emirate.

10- Supervising the foreign and international authorities and institutions offering financial or moral aid and working in social welfare and charity works or supervising the same, and supervising their registration, inside the State, and direction and supporting the efforts made in community service.

11- Suggesting to accede to international treaties and conventions and suggesting partnership agreements with regional and international organisations related to the Ministry's activities and competencies, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

12- Representing the State in international and regional organisations, exhibitions and conferences in the fields of specialisation of the Ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

13- Any other competencies assigned to it by the Law or by a Cabinet Decision.

c- The Cabinet shall issue the organisational decisions and regulations related to the conditions, rules and procedures of marriage grants.

Article 10 - Ministry of Climate Change and Environment

a- The name "Ministry of Environment and Water" shall be replaced by the name "Ministry of Climate Change and Environment", wherever mentioned in any Federal legislation.

b- The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment shall have the following competencies:

1- The competencies assigned to the Ministry of Environment and Water and stated in the Federal Law no. (1) of 1972 on the Competencies of the Ministries and Powers of Ministers, and its amendments, except the competencies related to water resources.

2- Suggesting legislations and developing plans, strategies, policies, programs and initiatives that mitigate the climate change phenomenon in the State.

3- Following the issues related to climate change at the regional and international level in coordination with the competent authorities at the State.

6- Any other competencies assigned to it by the Law or by a Cabinet Decision.

Article 11 – Ministry of Justice

a- The Ministry of Justice shall have the competencies assigned to it and stated in the Federal Law no. (1) of 1972 on the Competencies of Ministries and Powers of Ministers, and its amendments.

b- In addition to the competencies set forth in paragraph (a) of this Article, the Ministry of Justice shall have the following competencies:

1- Preparing qualified graduates of the Faculties of Sharia'a or Law to take judicial offices.

2- Organising courses for the members of the judicial authority in the various legal topics, judicial techniques or any other fields.

3- Holding specialised training courses for the preparation and qualification of notaries, judges' assistants and trainee lawyers.

4- Training the employees of the government agencies whose work is related to legal and judicial fields upon the request of such agencies. It may also hold training courses for other than the government agencies' employees.

5- Taking care of scientific research and deepening the same in the legal and judicial fields by encouraging specialised legal and judicial studies and working on the issuance and publication thereof.

8- Any other competencies assigned to it by the Law or by a Cabinet Decision.

Article 12 - Ministry of Infrastructure Development

a- The name "Ministry of Public Works" shall be replaced by the name "Ministry of Infrastructure Development", wherever mentioned in any Federal legislation.

b- The Ministry of Infrastructure Development shall have the following competencies:

1- Studying and preparing the urban development plan of the federal infrastructure projects in coordination with all relevant federal and local entities.

2- Suggesting policies and strategies related to the development of the housing sector and the federal public utilities in coordination with the relevant Authorities.

3- Suggesting technical and engineering legislations for the federal infrastructure projects (housing, public facilities and utilities) and ensuring compliance therewith in coordination with the relevant Authorities.

4- Planning and supervising the expenditure of capital projects’ budgets allocated to federal infrastructure projects according to the directions of the federal government and disbursement of the same within the approved financial systems and procedures.

5- Managing the federal infrastructure projects (public facilities and utilities) and overseeing the implementation thereof according to the best international practices in coordination with the relevant Authorities.

6- Maintaining the federal public facilities and utilities to preserve their sustainability and raise their efficiency.

7- Establishing, managing and operating the Federal Roads Network and its properties, developing the same to ensure its efficiency and quality and investing them as federal assets according to the federal laws and regulations.

8- Allocating the housing established by the Ministry to the eligible nationals and issuing ownership decisions in coordination with the local departments at the concerned Emirate.

9- Conducting scientific research and studies to achieve the objectives and competencies of the Ministry.

10- Suggesting to accede to international treaties and conventions and suggesting partnership agreements with regional and international organisations related to the Ministry's activities and competencies, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

11- Representing the State in international and regional organisations, exhibitions and conferences in the fields of specialisation of the Ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other relevant Authorities.

12- Any other competencies assigned to it by the Law or by a Cabinet Decision.

Article 13 - General Provisions

1- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation shall replace the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development in all the rights and obligations, including the rights and obligations stated in any contracts, agreements or memoranda of understanding concluded by the Ministry.

2- The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development shall replace the National Council for Tourism and Antiquities in all the legislations related to the competencies stated in Article (2) hereof, and all the rights and obligations related to antiquities, including the rights and obligations stated in any contracts, agreements or memoranda of understanding concluded by the Council.

3- The Ministry of Economy shall replace the National Council for Tourism and Antiquities in all the legislations related to the competencies stated in Article (4) hereof, and all the rights and obligations related to tourism, including the rights and obligations stated in any contracts, agreements or memoranda of understanding concluded by the Council.

4- The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation shall replace the National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority in all the legislations related to the competencies stated in Article (6) hereof, and all the rights and obligations, including the rights and obligations stated in any contracts, agreements or memoranda of understanding concluded by the Authority.

5- The Ministry of Education shall replace the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in all the legislations related to the competencies stated in Article (8) hereof, and all the rights and obligations, including the rights and obligations stated in any contracts, agreements or memoranda of understanding concluded by the Ministry.

6- The Ministry of Community Development shall replace the Marriage Fund in all the legislations related to the competencies stated in Article (9) hereof, and all the rights and obligations, including the rights and obligations stated in any contracts, agreements or memoranda of understanding concluded by the Fund.

7- The Ministry of Justice shall replace the Institute of Training and Judicial Studies in all the legislations related to the competencies stated in Article (11) hereof, and all the rights and obligations, including the rights and obligations stated in any contracts, agreements or memoranda of understanding concluded by the Institute.

Article 14 - Final Provisions

a- The decisions issued by the Cabinet concerning the settlement of the situations resulting from the formation of the Cabinet, promulgated by the Federal Decree no. (28) of 2016, shall be valid and effective from the date of issuance thereof, including the decisions related to the transfer of financial allocations and budgets, transfer of employees and amendment of the organisational structures of Ministries.

b- The Cabinet shall issue the decisions necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Decree-Law.

Article 15- Abrogations

1- The Federal Law no. (4) of

1992 on the establishment and organisation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research shall be abrogated.

2- The Federal Law no. (47) of

1992 on the establishment of the Marriage Fund shall be abrogated.

3- The Federal Law no. (27) of 1999

on the establishment of the National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority shall be abrogated.

4- The Federal Law no. (11)

of 2004 on the establishment of the Institute of Training and Judicial Studies shall be abrogated.

5- The Federal Law no. (6) of

2008 on the establishment of the National Council of Tourism and Antiquities shall be abrogated.

6- The Ministry of International Cooperation and Development, established by virtue of Article 1 of the Federal Decree-Law no. (2) of 2013, amending some provisions of the Federal Law no. (1) of 1972 on the Competencies of Ministries and Powers of the Ministers, shall be abrogated.

7- Any provision contrary to or inconsistent with this Decree-Law shall be abrogated.

Article 16- Publication and Entry into Force

This Decree-Law shall enter into effect on the date of issuance thereof and shall be published in the Official Gazette. All competent authorities shall implement it, each in its own competence.

Issued by Us at the Presidential Place:
On: 26 September 2016
Corresponding to: 24 Dhu Al-Hijjah 1437 H

Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

President of the United Arab Emirates

This Federal Decree-Law was published in the Official Gazette No. 605, p. 11.