The policy
The Supreme Council brings together the rulers of the seven emirates, who elect the executive leadership of the United Arab Emirates from among their number for a five-year term. The President is Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Emir of Abu Dhabi, while the Vice-President of the Federation and Prime Minister is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rachid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai. The Council of Ministers comprises 33 members from the seven emirates, appointed by the Prime Minister. The Federal National Council (FNC) has 40 members (half chosen by the sheikhs), representing the emirates in proportion to their population: eight for Abu Dhabi and Dubai, six for Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah, and four each for Umm al-Quwain, Ajman and Fujairah. It examines and amends federal bills, discusses the annual budget and can question ministers on their activities.
The federal judiciary
Totally independent, in accordance with the Constitution, it comprises the Federal Supreme Court and the courts of first instance. It verifies the constitutional conformity of federal laws and arbitrates disputes between emirates, as well as disputes that may arise between the federal government and one of the emirates.
Federal and local government
The political system of the United Arab Emirates is characterized by the coexistence of a federal government and a local government for each emirate. The Constitution governs the relationship between these two bodies, allowing for a degree of flexibility in the distribution of powers. The ruler of each emirate may, if he so wishes, concede to the federal government certain areas of authority, defined as initially falling within the purview of the emirate. Conversely, individual emirates can join organizations such as OPEC and OAPEC.
Foreign Policy
The growing Islamist threat in the countries of the region has forced the UAE to mobilize for fear of instability spreading back home. It took part in various airstrikes: in 2014 in Libya against Islamist militants as well as in Syria against Daech, and in 2015 in Yemen against Houthi rebels. In March 2014, for the first time, significant tensions led the UAE, alongside Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, to publicly stand up to Qatar, whose support for the Islamist movement it disapproves of. On January 5, 2021, relations with Qatar were fully restored after a 3.5-year blockade. August 13, 2020 marks the full normalization of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel with the signing of the Abraham Accords. From January1, 2022 to the end of 2023, the Emirates sat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Diplomatically, the UAE plays a major role in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Tourism
It accounts for 5.2% of the country's GDP, with annual growth in excess of 5%. In Dubai alone, the figure is 20%. 317,000 people work in tourism in the Emirates. Dubai airport, the world's largest in terms of passenger throughput, ahead of Heathrow and Chicago, is to open a second airport not far from the World Expo site.
The agricultural sector
It contributes just 0.7% to GNP, and 85% of food is imported. Despite extreme summer temperatures and nutrient-poor arid soils, cultivated land covers more than 360,000 hectares and produces various types of fruit and vegetables. Livestock farming, with 3.5 million head of cattle and sheep, does not cover meat requirements; for this reason, imports, mainly from Australia and New Zealand, are necessary. The fishing industry benefits from numerous subsidies, aimed at perpetuating the traditional nature of this age-old activity. However, despite the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, fish stocks are dwindling due to the impact of fishing, dredging and pollution. In response to this problem, the development of fish farming seems to offer a solution.
The industry
It accounts for 10% of GDP, alongside the hydrocarbon industry (production of lubricants marketed in the Persian Gulf region) and the chemical industries (production of fertilizers, ammonia, urea and methyl tert-butyl ether), aluminum metallurgy is the predominant industrial sector.
Electricity
Given that the Emirates' energy consumption is one of the highest in the world on a per capita basis, power generation is a major challenge. For the time being, power plants, generally coupled with water desalination units, run almost exclusively on natural gas. As domestic reserves are complex to extract, Abu Dhabi has been importing Qatari gas since 2008 via the Dolphin undersea pipeline, which provides 10,000 MW of power generation capacity. This capacity was doubled in 2021 with the commissioning of four nuclear reactors from Korea's Kepco, which now supply 25% of the country's electricity. MASDAR has become the world's number 1 renewable energy company.
Wholesale and retail trade
In Dubai, it is responsible for almost 27% of GDP. The sale of luxury goods boosts this sector. After London, Dubai is the city with the most international retailers. Almost 54% of specialist fashion retailers are based in this small emirate. Dubai tops the world ranking of cities where tourists spend the most, ahead of London, with almost $31.3 million spent by travelers.
The financial sector
It makes a major contribution to the country's growth. It has 22 domestic banks and 27 foreign banks. Free zones offer many advantages for foreign companies wishing to set up in the Emirates, playing a key role in the country's economic dynamism. They provide a regional base for foreign companies operating in the Middle East, helping to make the Emirates a crossroads for relations between Europe and Asia.
