Federal Supreme Council

The Federal Supreme Council (Arabic: المجلس الأعلى للاتحاد‎) is the highest constitutional authority in the United Arab Emirates, being the highest legislative and executive body. It establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation. It is the First Federal Authority in terms of ranking in the hierarchy of the Five Federal Authorities prescribed in the Constitution: Federal Supreme Council, Federal President and Federal Vice President, Federal Cabinet, Federal National Council, Federal Judiciary.

Federal Supreme Council (Arabic: المجلس الأعلى للاتحاد‎, literally 'Supreme Council of the Union')
Type
Type	Unicameral
Leadership
President	Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Vice President	Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Seats	7 (one for each emirate)
Meeting place
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Website
Official website

History

After the Union in 1971 the Federal Supreme Council consisted of the six rulers of the Emirates who signed the Constitution of the United Arab Emirates. It elected Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Emir of Abu Dhabi, as President of the United Arab Emirates and elected a Federal Cabinet. On 23 December 1971 the Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah sent a letter to the Council requesting to join the union. The Council agreed to the request and the Ras al-Khaimah joined the Union on 10 February 1972.

Council meetings

The Federal Supreme Council meets four times each year and its meetings are often on an informal basis and attend meetings of the Board, consisting of the seven rulers of the emirates of the Federation or those acting in their emirate in the case of their absence. Each has one vote in the Council's resolutions.

Council functions

The Supreme Council of the Union has the following functions:

1. The general policies in all matters entrusted to the Union by this Constitution and to consider what would that achieve the objectives of the Union and the common interests of the member Emirates.
2. The ratification of the various federal laws before they are issued, including the laws of the annual general budget of the Union and the final account.
3. The ratification of the decrees on the subject matters under the provisions of this Constitution for the ratification or approval of the Federal Supreme Council prior to the issuance of these decrees by the Federal President.
4. Ratification of institutions and agreements are ratified by decree.
5. To approve the appointment of the Federal Prime Minister and the Federal Cabinet and the acceptance of their resignation and removal from office upon the proposal of the Federal President.
6. To approve the appointment of the President and Judges of the Federal Supreme Court and the acceptance of their resignations and dismissal in the circumstances prescribed in the Constitution. Are all decrees.
7. High control over the affairs of the Union in general.
8. Any other functions stipulated in this Constitution or federal laws.

Current members

Federal Supreme Council consists of the seven Emirs:

Current member		Since	Status	Title	Emirate
	Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (President of the Supreme Council)	2004	Emir and Ruler of Abu Dhabi	President of the United Arab Emirates	Abu Dhabi
	Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice-President of the Supreme Council)	2006	Emir and Ruler of Dubai	Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates Vice President of the United Arab Emirates	Dubai
	Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi	1972	Emir and Ruler of Sharjah	Member of the Federal Supreme Council	Sharjah
	Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi	1981	Emir and Ruler of Ajman	Member of the Federal Supreme Council	Ajman
	Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi	1974	Emir and Ruler of Fujairah	Member of the Federal Supreme Council.	Fujairah
	Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla	2009	Emir and Ruler of Umm al-Quwain	Member of the Federal Supreme Council.	Umm al-Quwain
	Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi	2010	Emir and Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah	Member of the Federal Supreme Council.	Ras al-Khaimah

References

a.^ the Constitution provides that the Emirs of Abu Dhabi and Dubai have a veto
تاريخ الإمارات العربية المتحدة
المجلس الأعلى للاتحاد
Supreme Council/ Politics of the United Arab Emirates

External links

• Official website (in English)