President issues Decree stipulating amendments to powers

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued a Decree of Federal Law No. 14 for 2017, which stipulates amendments to certain provisions of Federal Law No.1 for 1972 related to the responsibilities of ministries and the powers of ministers.

The amendments include the substitution of the term, "Ministry of Energy," with the term, "Ministry of Energy and Industry," according to the latest edition of the official gazette.

According to the aforementioned Decree, all the responsibilities of the Ministry of Economy related to industry affairs, as per the Federal Law No. 1 for 1972, will be transferred to the Ministry of Energy and Industry, and the Ministry of Energy and Industry will replace the Ministry of Economy regarding all legislation, responsibilities, rights and obligations related to industry, including the rights and obligations cited in any contracts, agreements or Memorandums of Understanding, MoU, signed by the Ministry of Economy related to industry affairs.

The Decree also stipulates that the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development would perform its responsibilities, as per Federal Law No.1 for 1972 relating to the responsibilities of ministries and the powers of ministers and their amendments, except for those related to youth affairs, youth affairs regulation and relevant authorities, according to a resolution of the UAE Cabinet.

According to this Decree, the UAE Cabinet should issue the required resolutions to implement the provisions of this Decree, including those required to transfer and settle the status of employees in these ministries whose responsibilities were transferred to other authorities as per this decree, as well as the required resolutions to transfer the provisions, financial budgets and assets as a result of the Decree.