Article (2)
Competences of the Ministry
The Ministry shall formulate the necessary proposals for planning the foreign policy of the
State and shall supervise the implementation of such policy in coordination with the
concerned State authorities. The Ministry shall have the competence to undertake the
following competences:
1. Protecting the interests of the State and its nationals abroad.
2. Supervising all relations of the State with other countries and managing and exchanging
diplomatic and consular representation therewith.
3. Supervising all relations of the State with regional and international organizations.
4. Proposing the principal orientations of the State’s foreign policy.
5. Participating in negotiations relating to foreign relations.
6. Organizing the State’s participation in regional and international organizations,
conferences, and exhibitions.
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7. Conducting communications, consultations, and negotiations for the conclusion of all
agreements, treaties, and memoranda of understanding to which the State seeks to
become a party, granting approvals to the entities in this regard, undertaking the necessary
procedures for accession to international agreements and treaties, supervising the
ratification of agreements and treaties signed or acceded to by the State, and following up
on their implementation, interpretation, and denunciation. All of the foregoing shall be
undertaken in coordination with the other concerned authorities in the State and in
accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and the resolutions of the Cabinet.
8. Collecting, analyzing, and evaluating political, economic, and other information relating
to developments affecting the foreign relations of the State, formulating the State’s
positions thereon, and disseminating such positions to the concerned authorities.
9. Regulating communications between the ministries, entities, and departments of the State
and foreign authorities, other governments, and their Representative Missions.
10. Promoting awareness of the State, its civilizational values, and its policies; advocating and
defending the same; and fostering respect therefor among official and public bodies
abroad, in coordination with the concerned authorities in the State.
11. Authenticating certificates, instruments, and documents issued or endorsed by the
ministries and governmental institutions of the State, or authenticated by the State’s
missions abroad or by the Representative Missions of foreign countries accredited to the
State, whenever required.
12. Undertaking matters relating to privileges, immunities, and protocol for the State’s
Representative Missions and their accredited heads and members abroad, and
supervising matters of privileges, immunities, and protocol for resident and non-resident
Representative Missions and their accredited heads and members to the State, as well as
for international organizations headquartered in the State.
13. Issuing and renewing diplomatic, special, and emergency passports for nationals of the
State, as well as mission passports; determining the categories eligible therefor and the
rules and conditions governing their issuance, by way of exception to Federal Law No. (17)
of 1972 Regarding Nationality and Passports, as amended.
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14. Issuing and renewing diplomatic or special passports for persons other than the categories
specified in clause (13) of this Article, without extending the same to their families,
pursuant to a decision of the President of the State or either of the Vice Presidents thereof
upon the proposal of the Minister.
15. Coordinating with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port
Security regarding the issuance of entry visas for foreigners abroad, in accordance with
the controls set forth in the Law regarding the Entry and Residence of Foreigners and its
Executive Regulations.
16. Preparing and issuing the diplomatic, consular, administrative, and financial instructions
necessary for Representative Missions to perform their functions.
17. Supervising all Representative Missions.
18. Coordinating and participating with the relevant authorities in matters relating to borders.
19. Supervising matters relating to human rights, disarmament, international security and
peace, the maintenance of peace, and emerging international issues, in coordination with
the concerned authorities.
20. Coordinating with the concerned authorities on matters relating to foreign trade and
foreign investment.
21. Proposing the State’s general policy, regulations, systems, and guidelines regarding
development, international cooperation, and foreign assistance, including aid, grants,
donations, assistance, and loans, in coordination with the International Humanitarian and
Philanthropic Council and the relevant authorities, and submitting the same to the Cabinet
for approval.
22. Determining priority areas of development, international cooperation, and foreign
assistance, as well as the volume and type of support that the State may provide, in
cooperation with its donor entities and the Emirates Agency for International Aid, in light
of the approved policy in this regard.
23. Representing the State in regional and international non-financial development
institutions related to relief and international assistance, including non-governmental
organizations, in coordination with the UAE Agency for International Aid.
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24. Coordinating with the concerned authorities in the State to enhance bilateral and
multilateral cooperation in economic, commercial, cultural, advanced science and
technology, medical and life sciences, energy, sustainability, and other affairs with other
countries.
25. Establishing and organizing a comprehensive database of information and data relating to
the competences of the Ministry at the State level, in coordination with the concerned
authorities, and ensuring integration in the exchange of information and data.
26. Conducting specialized studies and research in fields related to the competences of the
Ministry, including monitoring and analyzing regional and international phenomena,
risks, and trends.
27. Any other competences assigned thereto pursuant to laws, regulations, or resolutions
issued by the Cabinet.
