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United Arab Emirates - Government and Political Conditions (Notes)

GOVERNMENT Administratively, the UAE is a loose federation of seven emirates, each with its own ruler. The pace at which local government in each emirate evolves from traditional to modern is set primarily by the ruler. Under the provisional constitution of 1971, each emirate reserves considerable powers, including control over mineral rights (notably oil) and revenues. In this milieu, federal powers have developed slowly. The constitution established the positions of president (chief of state) and vice president, each serving 5-year terms; a Council of Ministers (cabinet), led by a prime minister (head of government); a supreme council of rulers; and a 40-member National Assembly, a consultative body whose members are appointed by the emirate rulers. President Shaikh Zayyed bin Sultan Al Nahyyan has been president of the UAE since it was founded. Principal Government Officials Supreme Council President, Ruler of Abu Dhabi--Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Vice President and Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai--Shaikh Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum Ruler of Sharjah--Shaikh Sultan bin Muhammad al-Qasimi Ruler of Ajman--Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid al-Nuaimi Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain--Shaikh Rashid bin Ahmad al-Mualla Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah--Shaikh Saqr bin Muhammad al-Qasimi Ruler of Fujairah--Shaikh Hamad bin Muhammad al-Sharqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs--Hamdan bin Zayed al Nahyan Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces: Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ambassador to the United States--Al Asri Saeed Ahmed al-Dhahri Ambassador to the United Nations--Abd al-Aziz bin Nasir al-Shamsi The UAE maintains an embassy in the United States at 3522 International Court, NW, Washington, DC, 20008 (tel.202-243-2400). The UAE Mission to the UN is located at 747 3rd Avenue, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10017 (tel. 212-371-0480).