Legislation Details
- Full Title: Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information
- Law Type: Cabinet Resolution
- Law Number: No. (130) of 2025
- Issued Date: 09 Oct 2025
- Effective Date: 10 Oct 2025
- Official Gazette: No. 809
- Sector: Energy, Transport and Infrastructure
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 56
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Cabinet Resolution regulates the collection, management, use, exchange, distribution, and dissemination of geospatial information within the United Arab Emirates. It establishes a comprehensive framework for licensing geospatial and surveying activities, as well as authorizing the execution of related works. The Resolution aims to ensure the security and confidentiality of geospatial information and promote the development of a national geospatial information infrastructure. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 1-3) The Resolution is significant for businesses and individuals in the UAE, as it introduces new licensing and permitting requirements for a wide range of geospatial and surveying activities. Compliance with the Resolution is crucial for companies and professionals operating in sectors such as infrastructure, urban planning, transportation, and natural resource management, as non-compliance may result in penalties. The national geospatial information database and official national maps established under the Resolution will also serve as important references for various stakeholders. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 1-3)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The scope of this Cabinet Resolution applies to all geospatial information activities and works carried out by concerned authorities and persons throughout the UAE, including in the free zones, subject to applicable local legislation. The Resolution aims to establish the rules governing the regulation, collection, management, use, exchange, distribution, and dissemination of geospatial information within the UAE. It also aims to create a comprehensive framework for regulating and monitoring related activities and works, as well as ensuring the security and confidentiality of geospatial information. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 2-3)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The Resolution provides the following key definitions:
- State: The United Arab Emirates
- Decree by Law: Federal Decree by Law No. (5) of 2019 Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Geographic Information Center
- Competent Authority: The local entity that undertakes the regulation, licensing, and authorizing of geospatial activities
- Person: The private legal person
- Geospatial Information: Information and data related to a specific geographic location, including fundamental and core geospatial data
- Fundamental Geospatial Data: Reference geospatial datasets that form the necessary basis for accurately determining geographic locations
- Core Geospatial Data: Specialized geospatial datasets that serve specific sectors
- Official National Maps and Geospatial Products: Maps and products issued by the Federal Geographic Information Center and certified by the Center
(Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The main obligations and requirements under this Resolution include: 1. Obtaining a license from the Federal Geographic Information Center to carry out geospatial and surveying activities, except where the Competent Authority is responsible for issuing the license. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 4) 2. Fulfilling the conditions for obtaining a license, such as being a legal person established in the UAE, having qualified staff, and obtaining required approvals from Competent Authorities. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 5) 3. Obtaining a permit from the Center or Competent Authority to execute works related to licensed geospatial and surveying activities, depending on the geographic scope of the works. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 8-10) 4. Notifying the Center of any new developments or changes related to the license after its issuance or renewal. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 7)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The Resolution establishes the following licensing and permitting requirements: 1. Licensing of geospatial and surveying activities: Persons must obtain a license from the Federal Geographic Information Center to carry out these activities, except where the Competent Authority is responsible for issuing the license. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 4) 2. Conditions for obtaining a license: Applicants must meet requirements such as being a legal person established in the UAE, having qualified staff, and obtaining required approvals from Competent Authorities. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 5) 3. Permitting for execution of works: Persons must obtain a permit from the Center or Competent Authority to execute works related to licensed geospatial and surveying activities, depending on the geographic scope of the works. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 8-10)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The Resolution does not explicitly mention any specific rights or protections granted to individuals, workers, businesses, or other parties. The focus of the Resolution is on establishing a regulatory framework for the management and use of geospatial information in the UAE. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible for enforcement under this Resolution are: 1. The Federal Geographic Information Center: The Center is responsible for issuing licenses for geospatial and surveying activities, granting permits for the execution of works, and maintaining a reference register of licensed activities and authorized works. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 4, 6-12) 2. Competent Authorities: The local entities that undertake the regulation, licensing, and authorization of geospatial activities within their respective Emirates. The Competent Authorities are responsible for issuing certain licenses and permits, as well as coordinating with the Center. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 1, 4, 8)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The Resolution does not specify any penalties for non-compliance. It focuses on establishing the regulatory framework for the management and use of geospatial information in the UAE, without detailing any enforcement mechanisms or sanctions. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The Resolution does not mention any fees, charges, or financial provisions related to the licensing of activities, granting of permits, or other aspects of geospatial information management. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The Resolution does not provide any explicit exemptions or exceptions from its scope of application. It states that the provisions of the Resolution shall apply to the activities and works carried out by the concerned authorities and persons throughout the UAE, including in the free zones, subject to applicable local legislation. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 2)
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The Resolution includes a provision for grievances, stating that in the case of a rejection of a license application, the applicant shall be notified of their right to file a grievance against the rejection decision in accordance with the provisions of the Resolution. However, the Resolution does not provide further details on the dispute resolution mechanism. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 6)
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The Resolution specifies the following key deadlines and time limits: 1. The Center shall review a license application and decide on it within 5 working days from the date the application meets the licensing conditions and requirements. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 6) 2. The Center shall issue the license within 3 working days from the date of the decision on the application. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 6) 3. The license shall be issued for a period of 3 years, and the licensee shall submit an application for renewal 30 days before the expiry date. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 7)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The Resolution references the following related legislation: 1. The Constitution of the United Arab Emirates 2. Federal Decree by Law No. (5) of 2019 Regarding the Establishment of the Federal Geographic Information Center The Resolution states that it is subject to the applicable local legislation regarding the regulation, collection, management, use, exchange, distribution, and dissemination of geospatial information and its related activities. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 2)
When did this law come into effect?
This Cabinet Resolution came into effect on 10 October 2025, the day after its issuance on 9 October 2025. The Resolution was published in the Official Gazette No. 809 on 14 October 2025. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information, 2025, Art. 28)
Source Documents
This article analyses Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Geospatial Information for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.