Cabinet Mandate

Cabinet Mandate

Constitutional Organisation of the Cabinet

Responsibilities of the Cabinet

The Cabinet is the executive authority of the federation. Under the supreme control of the President and FederalSupreme Council, it manages all internal and foreign affairs of the federation under the Constitution and federal laws. The Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister and two deputies and ministers. The General Secretariat is handled by the Secretary General of the Cabinet.

The Responsibilities of the Cabinet are:
  1. Following up the implementation of the general policy of the Federal Government, both domestic and foreign.
  2. Initiating drafts of federal laws and submitting them to the Federal National Council before they are raised to the President of the Federation for presentation to the Supreme Council for approval.
  3. Drawing up the annual general budget of the Federation, and the final accounts.
  4. Preparing drafts of decrees and various decisions.
  5. Issuing regulations necessary for the implementation of federal laws without amending or suspending such laws or making any exemption from their execution. Issuing regulations related to the organisation of public services and administrations within the limits of the Constitution and federal laws. Based on a special provision of the law, the Council of Ministers may allow a minister or other competent authority to issue certain regulations.
  6. Supervising the implementation of laws, decrees and decisions at the federal level and emirates level.
  7. Supervising the execution of judgements delivered by Federal Courts and the implementation of international treaties and agreements concluded by the federation.
  8. Appointment and dismissal of federal employees in accordance with the provisions of the law, provided that their appointment and dismissal do not require the issue of a decree.
  9. Controlling the conduct of work in federal departments and public services and the conduct and discipline of federal employees in general.
  10. Any other authority vested in it by law or by the Supreme Council within the limits of this Constitution.

Joint Responsibility of the Government  

The Prime Minister and the Ministers collectively are politically responsible before the President of the Federation and the Supreme Council for the execution of the general policy of the Union both in domestic and foreign areas. Each of them is personally responsible to the President of the Federation and the Supreme Council for the activities of his or her Ministry or office.

Sessions Regulation

The Cabinet holds a regular meeting once a week. The Prime Minister may call for an exceptional meeting to convene whenever it deems necessary or upon the request of any minister to present a certain issue for discussion. The regular meeting of the Cabinet is held at its headquarters unless otherwise decided by the Council. Such an exceptional meeting can be held at the place where set by the Prime Minister.

The Cabinet sessions are confidential. Attendance to the meetings of the Cabinetis solely restricted to the members of the Cabinet and Secretary General. However, the Cabinet may invite any person whom it deems appropriate to provide it with a clarification. Subject to approval of the Cabinet, the Secretary General may seek the assistance of one or more of his aides in the session functions. The attendance of majority of the members is required for a valid Cabinet meeting.

Cabinet resolutions are passed based on majority decision. In the event that voting is evenly divided, the side on which the Prime Minister has voted shall prevail. Each minister hasonly one vote, even if he or she is responsible for more than one ministry. The minority shall abide by the opinion of the majority. Considering the confidential nature of Cabinet deliberations, they may not be disclosed, and no recording of the discussions can be carried out. Only the resolution issued by the Cabinet shall be recorded, unless the council decides otherwise in confidential cases.

To ensure effective discussions and to support efficient decision-making through the exchange of information between the ministers, the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs has launched the 'Minister eBriefcase' initiative which uses smart devices linked to a network, allowing communication and follow-up process on the implementation of the Cabinet decisions.

Besides, a 'Knowledge Centre' enables ministers to access the fiscal reports of their ministries submitted by the State Audit Bureau. The Centre also allows them to study reports on international best practices and experiences in similar ministries in other countries. It also features a section on media reports and analysis, as well as breaking news in their area of interest.