UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering the Persian Gulf to the north, with a coastline of 734 kilometers. Northwest and Qatar as neighbors, west and south of the border with Saudi Arabia, east and northeast and Oman adjacent. It covers an area of 83,600 square kilometers. The population is 4.23 million (2004), with foreigners accounting for 3/4 of the population, mainly from India, Pakistan and other countries. Arabic is the official language and English is commonly used. The majority of the inhabitants are Muslims, mostly Sunnis; in Dubai, Shiites are in the majority. The capital is Abu Dhabi.
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* ? General Information
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* ? Foreign Relations
* ? National Holidays
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UAE - Basic Information
Country Name The United Arab Emirates.
Area 83,600 square kilometers (including coastal islands).
Population 4.1 million (2005), 80% foreigners, mainly from India, Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, Palestine and other countries. The population is mostly Islamic, mostly Sunni; Arabic is the official language, and English is commonly spoken. The main language is Arabic, with Persian prevalent in coastal cities.
Capital Abu Dhabi.
Head of state President Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, elected Nov. 2004
Important holidays National Day: 2 December
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UAE - Brief description
UAE
The United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates.It was proclaimed on December 2, 1971 as the United Arab Emirates. It is a federation of seven emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm al-Quwain and Ajman - and is the only country in the world today that participates in the United Nations Organization under the name of an emirate. The Federation establishes the highest legislative, executive and judicial bodies with supreme authority, but, with the exception of the relative unification of defence and foreign affairs at the central level, the governments of the emirates maintain their considerable independence and enjoy a considerable degree of autonomy in administrative, economic and judicial matters. Under the Constitution, the Federal Government may not intervene in the internal affairs of the Emirates. Each emirate has an administrative structure that retains the family form of rule, with the sheikhs, also known as sheikhs, having absolute power and the creation of a crown prince, and the sheikh's successor being chosen by a family council or a council of elders, which is in effect hereditary.
According to the 1971 interim constitution, the UAE is a constitutional monarchy with a presidential system of responsibility. The supreme body of the UAE state consists of the Federal Supreme Council, the Federal Government (also known as the Council of Ministers or Cabinet), the Federal National Council, and the Federal Supreme Court.
Established in 1971, the Federal Supreme Council is the highest authority in the UAE and is composed of the sheikhs of the seven emirates that make up the federation. The President of the Federation is the head of state of the UAE and is the highest executive head, elected by the Federal Supreme Council from among its constituent members, and is also the religious and spiritual leader of the country, which adopts Islam as its state religion. The Federal Government, also known as the Council of Ministers or the Cabinet, is formed by the decision of the Federal Supreme Council and the appointment of the President, and is the central executive body of power in the UAE, consisting of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers. The Federal National Council, established in 1972, is a national consultative and advisory body consisting of 40 members elected by the seven Emirates that make up the federation in proportion to the number of seats allocated to them, in order to strengthen social communication and coordination, cooperate constructively with the Government and participate in the development and construction of the country. The Federal Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in the UAE and consists of the Chief Justice and a panel of no more than five judges appointed by the Federal Supreme Council.
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UAE - Legislature
UAE
UAE
The legislative function of the United Arab Emirates is exercised primarily by the Federal National Council (also known as the "Federal National Council"), which has not only legislative but also It has not only legislative but also supervisory functions. The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments also prepares draft laws. The FNA is one of the five federal authorities provided for in the Constitution, namely the President, the Vice-President, the Cabinet, the FNA and the Federal Court. The Federal National Council consists of 40 members, distributed among the emirates as follows: eight each for Abu Dhabi and Dubai, six each for Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah and four each for Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain and Fujairah. Each Emirate has the right to determine the manner in which it elects the members of Parliament representing it, who are elected for a term of two years from the first meeting, known as the legislative term. The convening and dissolution of the Majlis takes place through decrees issued by the President of the Federation. The first session of the Federal National Council was convened on February 13, 1972, if the Council did not convene its annual session during the legislative period until the third week of November, stipulating that it would convene its annual session on November 21st. In accordance with the Constitution, the President of the Federation inaugurates the regular annual session of the Federal National Council, at which time he delivers a speech covering the state of the nation during the past year, major events and affairs, and projects and reforms decided upon by the Government. The Federal National Council elects some of its members to form a committee to formulate a draft plan in response to the suggestions and wishes of the President for the Federal National Council as mentioned in his inaugural address, which is submitted by the National Council to the President of the Federation after adoption by the Federal National Council.
The Federal National Council plays a legislative and supervisory role in the affairs of government. The Federal National Council issued its first internal regulations in 1972 and amended them in 1977. The Federal National Council joined the Arab Parliamentary Union (APU) in 1975 and convened the 5th Conference and 19th Committee of the APU in Abu Dhabi in 1989.The Federal National Council joined the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 1977. In addition, the Federal National Council has participated in the Arab-African Dialogue Conference and the Arab-European Dialogue Conference on several occasions.
I. Functions of the Federal National Council
(i) Legislation
The Federal National Council plays a role in the process of making laws. According to the Federal National Council, the Cabinet first submits bills, including draft laws and the national budget, to the Federal National Council, which members discuss and vote on, with the right to pass or amend or reject it.
(ii) Oversight
The Federal National Council realizes oversight of the executive power by questioning ministers and other officials of the executive power. It discusses the policies formulated by the executive power and seeks explanations and clarifications from the executive while exchanging views with it and making suggestions.
At the request of five members of the National Assembly of the Federation, the National Assembly may discuss ordinary issues related to the affairs of the Federation in order to clarify the relevant policies of the government and exchange opinions. All members of the Assembly are entitled to participate in the discussion.
Each Member of Parliament may put a question to the Prime Minister and Ministers of the Cabinet. A question is submitted by an MP to the Prime Minister or a Minister. The Prime Minister or the Minister concerned answers the queries of the MPs at a specified meeting.
Complaints submitted to the National Assembly are signed by the submitter and indicate the submitter's name, address and employment. The Speaker of the National Assembly may request the Prime Minister or the Minister concerned to submit a statement on the complaint, and every member of the Assembly has the right to study and comment on any complaint.
II. Organization of the Federal National Council
(1) Composition of the Federal National Council
Members of the Federal National Council are required to have the following qualifications: to be from the emirate they represent and to reside permanently in the emirate represented; to be at least twenty-five years of age; to have an honourable history and a good reputation, with no previous convictions; to be proficient in reading and writing; and to hold office as a member of the Federal National Council. A member of the Federal National Council may not hold a federal public office at the same time. The term of office of a member of the Federal National Council is two years and he may be re-elected.
If a vacancy occurs in the office of a member, a new member must be elected within two months. The Federal National Council meets at its headquarters in the federal capital, and exceptional sessions can be held anywhere in the federation.
Members of the Federal National Council represent all the people of the Federation.
(ii) Committees of the Federal National Council
The necessary committees are formed one week before the annual session of the Federal National Council, and the election of the members of the committees is by relative majority. The Committee may exercise its powers directly during the recess of the Assembly in preparation for the exercise of powers during the Assembly's session.
The Federal National Council may form standing committees and temporary committees in accordance with the needs of its work, and shall establish regulations for each of these committees. There are nine standing committees of the Federal National Council:
1?The Committee on Interior and Defense Affairs, consisting of seven members;
2?The Committee on Finance, Economy, and Industry, consisting of seven members;
3?The Committee on Legislation and Legal Affairs, consisting of seven members;
4?The Committee on Education, Youth, Information, and Culture, consisting of seven members
5?The Committee on Health, Labor and Social Affairs, composed of seven members;
6?The Committee on Foreign Affairs, Planning, Petroleum, Mines, Agriculture and Fisheries, composed of seven members;
7?The Committee on Islamic Affairs, Waqf and Public **** Facilities, composed of seven members;
8?The Committee on Supervisory Eligibility and Appeals, composed of seven members;
9?The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, composed of seven members;
10?The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of the Child, composed of seven members;
1? Committee, consisting of seven members;
9?Committee on Emergency Affairs, headed by the Speaker of the Federal National Assembly and the two chairmen of the said committees, *** consisting of nine members.
(iii) Parliamentary Groups
The Parliamentary Groups include all the members of the Federal National Council. The Parliamentary Group was formed with the aim of organizing the participation of the members of the Federal National Council in the activities of the Arab Parliamentary Union and other unions and institutions of a parliamentary nature. The Speaker of the Federal National Assembly heads the Parliamentary Group and also chairs the Assembly of Deputies and the Executive Committee of the Assembly.
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UAE - Important people
Presidents
President
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan: President. Born in 1948, the eldest son of Zayed, the first President of the UAE, he was made Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on February 1, 1969, and in May 1976 became Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Armed Forces. Ha also serves as chairman of the Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Development Foundation. 2004 November 2, President Zayed died after a long illness, Ha successor to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, November 3, Ha was elected by the Supreme Council of the Federal as the new president.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum: Vice President and Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Ruler of Dubai. Born in 1948. became Federal Minister of Defense in 1990 and was designated Crown Prince of Dubai in 1995. on January 5, 2006, Mu took office as Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
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UAE - Economy
UAE
UAE
The UAE
is dominated by oil production and petrochemical industries. While developing the petrochemical industry, the government has made the development of a diversified economy, the expansion of trade and the increase in the proportion of non-oil revenues in the GDP its top priority, and has endeavored to develop the industries of cement, aluminium smelting, plastic products, construction materials, garments, food processing, etc., and has attached importance to the development of agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries; it has made full use of various sources of finance to focus on the development of cultural, educational and health services, and has continued to complete and expand the existing projects that were in the process of construction. In recent years, it has vigorously developed the "new economy" and "knowledge economy" centered on information technology. Date palms, vegetables and fruits are grown in the oases. The coastal population is mainly engaged in commerce, fishing and pearl collecting. Some of the inhabitants are nomadic, raising sheep and camels.
Exports include mainly oil, one of the world's major oil exporters, as well as pearls and dried fish; food is imported.
Major economic data (2006): gross domestic product (GDP) $162.2 billion GDP per capita $36,000 GDP growth rate 10% inflation rate 6 % exchange rate 1 US dollar = Dh3.66 foreign exchange reserves $25 billion
Resources Oil and natural gas are very rich. Proven oil reserves are 13 billion tons, accounting for 9.5% of the world's total oil reserves, ranking 5th in the world. Natural gas reserves are 6.06 trillion cubic meters, ranking 5th in the world.
Industry The petrochemical industry is the main industry. There are also natural gas liquefaction, aluminum refining, plastic products, construction materials, clothing and food processing industries. Emiratis account for only 1% of those employed in industrial projects. Therefore, the government has embarked on a program of "nationalization of employment" to increase the proportion of nationals in the workforce.
Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Fisheries Agriculture is underdeveloped. Agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry in the UAE account for 2.4% of GDP. The country has 320,000 hectares of arable land and 270,000 hectares of cultivated land. The main agricultural products are dates, corn, vegetables, lemons and so on. Food is dependent on imports. At present, there are 5,191 fishing boats and 17,264 fishermen in the UAE. Fishing products and dates can satisfy domestic demand. The livestock industry is very small in scale, and the main meat products depend on imports. In recent years, the government has adopted a policy of encouraging farming, providing farmers with free seeds, fertilizers and interest-free loans, and implementing package purchase and sale of all agricultural products to ensure the income of farmers, and agriculture in the UAE has been developed to a certain extent.
The United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates
Finance and Economy The banking industry in the United Arab Emirates is well-developed, with 328 domestic banks and 109 foreign banks. There is no restriction on foreign exchange, and currencies are free to enter and leave the country, with a stable exchange rate. The federal government's revenue comes from the oil or trade income of each emirate. 2005 government budget revenue and expenditure are as follows (unit: $ billion): total revenue 61.9,total expenditure 61.9,deficit 0
Foreign trade In 1995, the UAE joined the World Trade Organization. The UAE has trade relations with 179 countries and territories. Foreign trade occupies an important place in the economy. The UAE mainly exports oil, natural gas, petrochemicals, aluminum ingots and a few specialties; it mainly imports food, machinery and consumer goods. 2006 saw a continuous surplus in foreign trade, as follows (in billions of U.S. dollars): total foreign trade of 224 billion U.S. dollars, imports of 83.6 billion U.S. dollars, exports of 140.4 billion U.S. dollars
Foreign assistance In July 1971, the Abu Dhabi Foundation for Arab Economic Development (renamed the Abu Dhabi Foundation for Development in November 1993) was established to provide assistance in the form of loans, grants and technical assistance to Arab countries and developing countries in Asia and Africa. in January 2002, the UAE announced that it would provide US$30 million for the post-war reconstruction of Afghanistan. In October 2003, the UAE announced that it would provide 225 million dollars in humanitarian aid to Iraq at the conference on aid to Iraq in Madrid, Spain.
People's life The GDP per capita in 2006 was 36,000 dollars. The per capita income is among the highest in the world, and there is a free healthcare system for citizens. *** There are 30 public hospitals, 115 health centers, 4,473 beds, 2,350 doctors, 380 dentists, 6,250 nurses, and 20 private hospitals.
Education The State attaches importance to the development of education and the cultivation of scientific and technological talents in the country, and has implemented a free education system. The State is committed to the fight against illiteracy and has built 110 literacy centers. There are 761 public schools and 420 private schools of various types, with 575,000 students and more than 24,000 teachers. 34,213 students were enrolled in the 2003/2004 academic year, of whom 17,000 were at the Emirates University, 2,124 at the University of Zayed, and 15,089 at the Institute of Higher Technology.
Press and Publications The main newspapers are: The Union (Arabic), the semi-official daily newspaper of Abu Dhabi, with a circulation of 55,000; The Manifesto (Arabic), the semi-official daily newspaper of Dubai, with a circulation of 50,000; The Gulf (Arabic), privately published in Sharjah, with a circulation of 58,000; and The Gulf Times (English), privately published in Dubai, with a circulation of 450,000 copies. There are also Gulf News and Gulf Today magazines.
The UAE News Agency is the national news agency, directly under the Ministry of Information and Culture, and was established in November 1976 to provide news and information about the UAE. It has permanent correspondents in all major cities in the country as well as in London, Paris, Washington, New York, Moscow, Tokyo, Cairo, Tunis and Beirut. Issues articles in Arabic and English.
The UAE has four radio stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Umm al-Qaiwain and Ras al-Khaimah, and eight television stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Al-Arabiya. Abu Dhabi Radio broadcasts programs in Arabic, English, French and Urdu for 37 hours a day. Al-Arabiya TV broadcasts news programs in Arabic 24 hours a day. There is also a satellite ground receiving station.
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UAE - Transportation
UAE
UAE
UAE
There are no railroads in the country, and the emirates are connected by modern highways. Roads: total length is about 3,171 kilometers and there are about 345,000 vehicles. Water transportation: there are 15 ports with 308 terminals (total length of 45 kilometers). The annual cargo throughput is 700 million tons. Dubai's Port Rashid is the second largest deep water port in the Middle East. Air transportation: There are 6 international airports, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and 10 heliports. 2005 passenger traffic exceeded 22 million. In 2005, the number of passengers exceeded 22 million. In the competitive ranking of global airlines, Emirates ranks first among Arab countries. Emirates has signed bilateral aviation agreements with 82 countries, including China, and 109 airlines from all over the world have regular flights to its airports. Communication: There are 1.2 million telephones, 3.3 million cell phones, 297,000 Internet users, and the satellite communication network is connected to more than 118 countries.
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UAE - Military
On May 10, 1976, the Federal Supreme Council decided to unify the armies of the emirates and to establish the General Command of the Armed Forces, with the President of the Federation as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Voluntary military service was introduced.
The total strength was 56,500 men. Among them, the army about 45,000, the establishment of a royal guard brigade, an armored brigade, two mechanized infantry brigades, four infantry brigades and an artillery brigade. The navy has 2,500 men and 21 combat ships of all types, with its main base in Abu Dhabi. The air force has 4,000 personnel (including the police force's aviation wing) and is organized into four combat squadrons with 196 combat aircraft and 50 helicopter gunships. There are also 54,000 police officers. Weapons and equipment mainly come from France and the United States, and it is the only country in the Gulf that has mainly French equipment. The armed forces of 30% from the source of their own country, the rest are mainly Oman, Pakistan and other countries, the instructors are mostly British and Pakistani.
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UAE - Foreign relations
UAE pursues a foreign policy of neutrality, good neighborliness and non-alignment. It advocates the settlement of disputes through peaceful negotiations and the maintenance of world peace. While strengthening relations with the United States and other Western countries, the UAE emphasizes the development of relations with Arab, Islamic, non-aligned and other third world countries. It advocates the strengthening of solidarity and cooperation among the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It has so far established diplomatic relations with 146 countries.
Positions on Major Issues On UN Reform: Supports all-round reform of the UN, including the Security Council. It is in favor of increasing the representation of Islamic countries (including Arab countries) in the Security Council. Emphasizes that the reform proposal should be subject to full consultations among member states to obtain ****sense; disagrees with setting a time limit for the reform and pushing for a vote. On security in the Gulf region: actively committed to the security and stability of the Gulf region, advocated strengthening the unity and coordination among the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and actively promoting the process of economic integration and cooperation among the six countries; called on the countries of the Gulf region to peacefully resolve their differences through dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and to work together to safeguard the security and stability of the Gulf region***. On the Middle East question: support the struggle of the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate national rights and establish an independent Palestinian State, recognize the State of Palestine and support the Middle East peace process. We call on the international community to urge Israel to comply with the Road Map for Middle East Peace and resume peace talks with the Palestinian side. On the Iraqi issue: advocating the preservation of Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling for an end to the foreign occupation of Iraq as soon as possible and the restoration of stability in Iraq. It believes that the United Nations should play a major role in the reconstruction of Iraq. During and after the Iraqi war, Albania provided substantial humanitarian assistance to Iraq and cooperated with Germany in training the Iraqi army and police. At the International Conference on Assistance to Iraq, held in Madrid in 2003, Albania pledged to make a humanitarian contribution of $215 million to Iraq. On counter-terrorism: Condemns all forms of terrorism. Oppose double standards on counter-terrorism. Oppose linking terrorism to Islam and discrimination and victimization of Arabs and Muslims. Emphasized that a distinction should be made between terrorism and the struggle of peoples against occupation. Enacted the Anti-Terrorism Law in 2004.
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UAE - National Festivals
Name of festival: Eid al-Fitr
Features of the event: People enjoy a big meal, daily life returns to normal and daytime eating is allowed.
Location: Nationwide
Date: January 10
Name of Festival: Muslim New Year
Features: The Muslim New Year is celebrated by a large number of Muslims who visit mosques, which are also beautifully decorated on that day.
Location: Nationwide
Date: April 7
Name: Mohammed's Birthday
Special features: A large-scale pilgrimage is made on the birthday of the religious leader Mohammed.
Location: Nationwide
Date: June 16
Name: National Day
Special features: There are large-scale official celebrations, spontaneous celebrations by the people, and religious ceremonies.
Location: Nationwide
Date: December 2
Name: First day of Ramadan
Special features: Religious ceremonies are held, and people eat a full meal to wait for Ramadan.
Location: Nationwide
Date: Dec. 10
Name: UAE Army Day
Features: There is an official military parade, which is very special.
Location: Nationwide
Date: Dec. 10
Name: Camel Race
Features: Hundreds of camels compete for valuable prizes, with the best camels being awarded prizes to both the camels and their keepers. Camel racing has become the country's favorite spectator sport.
Location: Abu Dhabi
Date: variable
Name: Anniversary of the Establishment of the Federal Government of the UAE
Special features: The country celebrates its economic achievements, with promotional activities taking place one after another, and the UAE continues to be a prosperous country.
Location: Nationwide
Date: Dec. 1