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United Arab Emirates - Government and Political Conditions (Notes)

GOVERNMENT Administratively, the U.A.E. 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 gas) 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, led by a Prime Minister (head of government); a supreme council of rulers; and a 40-member Federal National Council (FNC). The FNC is a consultative body with half its members appointed by the emirate rulers and half elected. Principal Government Officials President, Ruler of Abu Dhabi--Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Vice President, Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Ruler of Dubai--Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Deputy Prime Minister--Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al Nahyan Deputy Prime Minister--Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al Nahyan Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince--Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development--Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais Minister of Economy--Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi Minister of Education--Dr. Hanif Hassan Minister of Energy--Mohammed bin Dha'en Al Hamili Minister of Environment and Water--Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi Minister of Federal National Council Affairs--Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash Minister of Finance and Industry--Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Minister of Foreign Affairs--Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan Minister of Governmental Sector Development--Sultan Al Mansouri Minister of Health--Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami Minister of Higher Education--Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Minister of Interior--Major Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan Minister of Justice--Mohammed Nakhira Al Daheri Minister of Labor--Dr. Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi Minister of Presidential Affairs--Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Minister of Public Works--Sheikh amdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Minister of Social Affairs--Mariam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs--Mohammad Abdullah Gergawi Minister of State for Financial and Industrial Affairs--Dr. Mohammed Khalfan Bin Kharbash Minister of State for Foreign Affairs--Mohammed Hussain Al Sha'ali Ambassador to the United States--Saqr Ghobash Ambassador to the United Nations--Abd al-Aziz Bin Nasir al-Shamsi The U.A.E. maintains an embassy in the United States at 3522 International Court, NW, Washington, DC, 20008 (tel. 202-243-2400). The U.A.E. Mission to the UN is located at 747 3rd Avenue, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10017 (tel. 212-371-0480).