General UAE Legal Questions LawFederal Decree by Law No. (12) of 2022 Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values

Article (1) Definitions For the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Law, the following terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context otherwise requires: State : The United Arab Emirates. Cabinet : The Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates. Court : The Presidential Court. Minister : The Minister of the Presidential Court. Office : The Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values.

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Federal Decree by Law of 2022 Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values 2 Sector/Civilization and Human Values Sector : The activities, works, events, and services that are intended to influence and elevate the spiritual aspects and humanitarian values, in accordance with the provisions of this Decree by Law and the resolutions issued in implementation thereof, including all cultures, religions, and beliefs present in the State. Concerned Authorities : The federal or local government authorities concerned with the Civilization and Human Values Sector. Head of the Office : The Head of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values. Secretary-General : The Secretary-General of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values.

Article (4) Objectives of the Office The Office shall seek to achieve the following objectives: 1. Develop strategic orientations relating to the entrenchment of the principles of tolerance and coexistence within the Civilization and Human Values Sector at the level of the State. 2. Contribute to building a civilizational model capable of responding to emerging challenges and keeping pace with contemporary developments. 3. Promote values and civilizational communication, and elevate the spirit of tolerance and coexistence. 4. Contribute to providing an intellectual civilizational vision based on scientific, knowledge- based, and value-based approaches, while taking into account the national constants.

Article (5) Receipt of Support from the Office and Formation of Committees 1. The Minister shall, upon the recommendation of the Head of the Office, issue a decision specifying the conditions and requirements to be satisfied by civil society and private entities operating in the Sector that receive support from the Office. 2. The Office may provide support to the Concerned Authorities in accordance with the conditions and requirements to be prescribed by a resolution of the Cabinet upon the proposal of the Minister. Such resolution shall specify the powers granted to the Office for the purpose of verifying the proper use and disposition of such support in a manner consistent with the objectives of the Office and the policies and strategic plans of the State. 3. The Minister may form advisory and coordination committees within the Sector and determine their competences, upon the recommendation of the Head of the Office. Such committees may include representatives of the Concerned Authorities, based on nominations by the authorities to which they are affiliated.

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Federal Decree by Law of 2022 Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values 4

Article (6) Competences of the Office For the purpose of achieving its objectives, the Office shall, in coordination with the Concerned Authorities, exercise the following competences: 1. Propose and develop the general frameworks, policies, strategies, legislation, and plans relating to the regulation of the Sector; submit the necessary recommendations in respect thereof; and raise them to the Cabinet for approval after obtaining the approval of the Minister. 2. Follow up on the extent of the Concerned Authorities’ compliance with the implementation of the general frameworks, policies, strategies, and legislation relating to the Sector, and submit reports thereon to the Cabinet after obtaining the approval of the Minister. 3. Follow up on the performance of civil society and private entities operating in the Sector that receive support from the State or from any of the Emirates of the State, as the case may be, in coordination with the Concerned Authorities; propose plans and programs that contribute to the development of their performance and the enhancement of their efficiency; submit the proposals and draft decisions necessary to determine the conditions, controls, or standards required to be satisfied by such entities and to promote their advancement; and raise the same to the Minister. 4. Examine and review the status of external assistance in the fields falling within the scope of the Sector, and submit the necessary recommendations thereon to the competent authorities and the Concerned Authorities after obtaining the approval of the Minister. 5. Propose and develop the general frameworks, policies, and plans aimed at producing a contemporary intellectual and civilizational discourse based on science, knowledge, reason, and wisdom; enhance the role of sciences in their various fields in enriching human thought and attaining harmonious scientific and religious visions; and follow up on their implementation. 6. Coordinate with the Concerned Authorities to ensure the alignment of the general frameworks, policies, legislation, and plans relating to religious financial investments, endowments (Waqf), and charitable and humanitarian assistance with the policies,

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Federal Decree by Law of 2022 Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values 5 strategies, and legislation governing the Sector, and follow up on their implementation in accordance with the decisions issued by the Minister in this regard. 7. Propose and develop initiatives and recommendations that contribute to the advancement of the Sector. 8. Propose and develop plans for building competent and qualified leadership in the fields falling within the scope of the Sector, with the aim of achieving leadership distinguished by intellectual richness, cognitive depth, and conscious openness to the horizons of human civilization, and follow up on their implementation. 9. Propose and develop plans for the preparation and qualification of students of knowledge in the fields falling within the scope of the Sector, with the aim of creating a distinguished generation in both the cognitive and practical aspects, and follow up on the academic track of such students. 10. Provide opinions in the fields falling within the scope of the Sector. 11. Establish a comprehensive and integrated database for the Sector, ensure its periodic updating, and determine the appropriate mechanism for the provision of such data to the Office by the Concerned Authorities and other entities. 12. Conduct specialized studies and research in the fields related to the Sector, including monitoring and analyzing phenomena, risks, and regional and international trends. 13. Establish and enhance relations of cooperation and coordination and build partnerships with the Concerned Authorities and other entities within and outside the State. 14. Submit periodic reports relating to the competences of the Office to the Cabinet after obtaining the approval of the Minister. 15. Any other competences assigned to the Office pursuant to legislation or resolutions of the Cabinet or decisions of the Minister.

Article (7) Head of the Office The Office shall have a Head, with the rank of Minister, who shall be appointed by virtue of a Federal Decree upon the nomination of the Minister. The Head of the Office shall be

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Federal Decree by Law of 2022 Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values 6 accountable to the Minister for the performance of the Office, and shall assume supervision over the work thereof. In particular, the Head of the Office shall exercise the following powers: 1. Approve the policies, plans, and strategies of the Office and submit them to the Minister for approval, and supervise their implementation after approval. 2. Approve the organizational structure of the Office and submit it to the Minister for approval. 3. Approve the draft annual budget and the final accounts of the Office and submit them to the Minister for approval. 4. Open and manage bank accounts on behalf of the Office in accordance with the applicable legislation in force therein. 5. Approve periodic reports on the performance, achievements, and needs of the Office and present them to the Minister. 6. Any other competences or tasks assigned thereto by the Minister. The Head of the Office may delegate some of their competences to the Secretary-General or to any of the senior officials of the Office.

Article (8) Secretary-General The Office shall have a Secretary-General, who shall be appointed, and whose rank shall be determined by virtue of a Federal Decree upon nomination by the Head of the Office and the recommendation of the Minister. The Secretary-General shall be accountable to the Head of the Office for the proper conduct of the work of the Office and shall, in particular, exercise the following powers: 1. Manage the financial and administrative affairs of the Office and issue the decisions necessary for the proper conduct of its work, in accordance with the legislation in force at the Office. 2. Propose the policies, plans, and strategies of the Office and submit them to the Head of the Office for approval, and implement them after approval. 3. Prepare the organizational structure of the Office and present it to the Head of the Office for approval.

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Federal Decree by Law of 2022 Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values 7 4. Appoint and terminate the services of employees, experts, and advisers in accordance with the human resources regulations and systems applicable at the Office. 5. Propose the draft annual budget and the final accounts of the Office and present them to the Head of the Office for approval. 6. Represent the Office before the courts and in its relations with third parties. 7. Conclude contracts and agreements to which the Office is a party in accordance with the systems applicable at the Office. 8. Prepare periodic reports on the performance, achievements, and needs of the Office and present them to the Head of the Office. 9. Any other tasks assigned thereto by the Head of the Office. The Secretary-General may delegate some of their competences to any of the senior officials of the Office.

Article (12) Cooperation with the Office The Concerned Authorities and the civil society, private, and institutional entities and bodies operating in the Sector shall cooperate with the Office, work closely therewith, and coordinate with it to ensure the achievement of the objectives and competences assigned thereto, including the following: 1. Submitting draft policies, strategies, legislation, and plans relating to the Sector for review prior to their submission for approval in accordance with the legislation in force. 2. Coordinating with the Office regarding the representation of the State in religious events, their organization, or participation therein. 3. Providing the Office with the statistics, data, studies, and documents relating to the Sector as requested by the Office.

Article (14) Legislation Applicable to the Office and Its Staff 1. The Minister shall, upon the recommendation of the Head of the Office, issue all financial and administrative regulations and human resources regulations and systems necessary for the operation of the Office. In matters not addressed by specific provisions in such regulations and systems, the regulations and systems applicable in the Court shall apply. 2. The pensions and end-of-service gratuities law applicable in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi shall apply to national employees of the Office. 3. Employees of federal or local government authorities who are designated by a decision of the Minister, in coordination with their employing authorities, shall be transferred to the Office, without prejudice to their salaries and financial entitlements. Final Provisions