Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid
- Law Type: Federal Decree-Law
- Law Number: [27] of 2024
- Issued Date: 01 Oct 2024
- Effective Date: 01 Nov 2024
- Official Gazette: No. 785
- Sector: Government Affairs
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 34
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Federal Decree-Law establishes the UAE Agency for International Aid, a public establishment with independent legal personality and financial and administrative autonomy. The Agency is tasked with planning, supervising, implementing, and following up on the UAE's official government support, development projects and initiatives, early recovery programs, stabilization programs, and the implementation of humanitarian and relief response plans. The Agency reports to the International Humanitarian Affairs Council. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024, Arts. 1-2) The law defines the Agency's objectives, competences, and financial resources, and outlines the role and responsibilities of the Agency's Chairman. The Agency is empowered to coordinate with various federal and local authorities, international organizations, and the private sector to achieve its mandate. The law also provides for the transfer of assets, properties, budget, and employees from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the new Agency. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024, Arts. 3-13)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The law establishes the UAE Agency for International Aid, a public establishment with independent legal personality and financial and administrative autonomy. The Agency is tasked with planning, supervising, implementing, and following up on the UAE's official government support, development projects and initiatives, early recovery programs, stabilization programs, and the implementation of humanitarian and relief response plans. The Agency reports to the International Humanitarian Affairs Council. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024, Arts. 1-2)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- State: The United Arab Emirates
- Court: The Presidential Court
- Chairman of the Court: The Chairman of the Presidential Court
- Ministry: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Council: The International Humanitarian Affairs Council
- Chairman of the Council: The Chairman of the International Humanitarian Affairs Council
- Agency: The UAE Agency for International Aid
- Chairman of the Agency: The Chairman of the UAE Agency for International Aid
- Foreign Aid: All external financial and in-kind grants and donations provided by the State through the Council, for the purpose of supporting economic and social development in developing countries
- International Humanitarian Affairs: A set of external humanitarian and relief aid, plans, initiatives, projects, and measures that aim to enhance and achieve sustainable development and in line with recognized international standards, laws, and agreements
- Concerned Authorities: Federal or local government authorities concerned with the implementation of the provisions of this Decree by Law
- Competent Entities: Federal or local government authorities, international organizations, and private institutions and companies related to international humanitarian affairs
(Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes the following key obligations and requirements: 1. The Agency shall coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to determine the priority areas of development and foreign aid and the amount and type of support that may be provided by the Council. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024, Art. 5(1)) 2. The Agency shall implement relief and humanitarian response programs during disasters and crises, in coordination with the Competent Entities in the State. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024, Art. 5(2)) 3. The Agency shall implement early recovery programs following humanitarian disasters, in coordination with the Competent Entities in the State. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024, Art. 5(3)) 4. The Agency shall implement post-conflict support and stabilization programs, in coordination with the Competent Entities in the State. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024, Art. 5(4)) 5. The Agency shall implement international development programs, projects, and initiatives and technical assistance in the targeted countries, in coordination with the Competent Entities in the State. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024, Art. 5(5))
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The law establishes the following authorities and bodies responsible for the governance and enforcement of the Agency: 1. The International Humanitarian Affairs Council: The Agency reports to the Council, which oversees the Agency's activities. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024, Art. 2) 2. The Chairman of the Agency: The Agency is led by a Chairman, who is appointed by a Federal Decree and exercises a range of powers and responsibilities outlined in the law. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024, Art. 6) 3. The Chairman of the Court and the Chairman of the Council: The Chairman of the Agency must obtain the approval of the Chairman of the Court and the Chairman of the Council for various decisions, such as the Agency's financial and administrative regulations, annual budget, and organizational structure. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024, Art. 6) 4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The Agency must coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on certain matters, such as determining priority areas for development and foreign aid. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024, Art. 5(1))
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The law references the following related UAE legislation: 1. The Constitution of the United Arab Emirates 2. Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 Regarding the Competences of Ministries and the Powers of Ministers, as amended 3. Federal Decree by Law No. (4) of 2004 Regarding the Establishment and Organization of the Presidential Court, as amended 4. Federal Decree by Law No. (8) of 2022 Regarding the Regulation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as amended 5. Federal Decree No. (202) of 2023 Regarding the Establishment of the International Humanitarian Affairs Council (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024, Preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
The law came into effect on 01 November 2024, as stated in the "Effective Date" section of the legislation details. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid, 2024)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment of the UAE Agency for International Aid 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.