General UAE Legal Questions LawCabinet Resolution No. (159) of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities

Article (2) Publication and Entry into Force This Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force as of the day following the date of its publication. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Prime Minister Issued by us: On: 13 Jumada al-Ula 1447 A.H. Corresponding to: 4 November 2025 A.D.

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Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities 3 Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities Approved pursuant to Cabinet Resolution No. (159) of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities 1. Introduction: Within the framework of the efforts undertaken in the State to empower the Public Welfare Associations sector and to enhance its roles and responsibilities in supporting the national development process, a guide has been prepared for the classification of Public Welfare Associations and the activities conducted thereby, in accordance with the Public Welfare Activities and the various fields of work specified in Federal Decree by Law No. (50) of 2023 Regarding the Regulation of Public Welfare Associations. This Guide has been developed in light of international best practices and standards applied in the non-profit sector, and in a manner commensurate with the nature and characteristics of such Associations. The Guide sets out the controls, standards, and requirements applicable to the classification of Public Welfare Associations and the activities conducted thereby, in a way that enhances ease of access to data and information relating to groups of Public Welfare Associations that are similar in terms of activities and fields of work. 2. Objectives: The Guide aims to: ▪ Classify Public Welfare Associations. ▪ Unify the controls, procedures, conditions, and requirements for the classification of Public Welfare Associations and the activities conducted thereby. ▪ Adopt a unified framework and regulate the practical guidelines relating to the classification process and provide them to the various concerned authorities. ▪ Precisely identify the fields and activities of work of the Public Welfare Associations.

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Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities 4 ▪ Facilitate access to data and information pertaining to groups of Public Welfare Associations that are similar in activities and fields of work. 3. Scope of Application: The Guide shall constitute the reference document for the competent authority concerned with the licensing, supervision, and oversight of Public Welfare Associations, and shall apply to Public Welfare Associations subject to the provisions of the Decree by Law. 4. Definitions: For the purposes of applying this Guide, the following terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise: State : The United Arab Emirates. Ministry : The Ministry of Community Empowerment. Minister : The Minister of Community Empowerment. Decree by Law : Federal Decree by Law No. (50) of 2023 Regarding the Regulation of Public Welfare Associations. Local Authority : The local governmental authority concerned with the licensing, supervision, and oversight of Public Welfare Associations pursuant to the legislation in force therein, within whose scope of competence the headquarters of such Associations or any of their branches is located, insofar as the activity of such branch is concerned. Competent Authority : The Local Authority, or the Ministry in the Emirate in which no local authority is competent to license, supervise, and oversee Public Welfare Associations.

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Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities 5 Public Welfare Associations : Private legal persons licensed in accordance with the laws in force in the State, established for the purpose of conducting one or more Public Welfare Activities, taking one of the forms stipulated in the Decree by Law and its Executive Regulations, and not primarily aiming to achieve profit. Public Welfare Activities : The fields of work of Public Welfare Associations, including social, cultural, scientific, educational, professional, creative, artistic, entertainment, and environmental activities, the provision of humanitarian services, and the achievement of any purposes of charitable work or social solidarity covered by the provisions of the Decree by Law. Guide : The Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities. Classification : The description of Public Welfare Associations within categories and groups that are similar in terms of activities and fields of work. 5. Roles and Responsibilities: The Ministry, in coordination with the Local Authority, shall manage and oversee the process of classifying Public Welfare Associations. In order to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the classification, the roles, responsibilities, and competences of both the Ministry and the Local Authority in relation to the classification process have been determined as follows: First: Roles and Responsibilities of the Ministry The Ministry shall play the principal role in the process of classifying Public Welfare Associations and the activities conducted thereby. The Ministry’s functions shall commence with the establishment of the standards, controls, and conditions relating to the

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Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities 6 determination of the main and sub-classifications of Public Welfare Associations, in coordination with the Local Authority. It shall be responsible for ensuring that Local Authorities comply with and implement such standards, controls, and conditions, through the deployment of its resources and the enhancement of its capacities across all processes covered by this Guide.The Ministry shall, in particular, undertake the following: 1. Establish the standards, controls, and conditions relating to the determination of the main and sub-classifications of Public Welfare Associations. 2. Conduct a comprehensive and unified classification process for Public Welfare Associations. 3. Periodically review and update the Guide, where required, in coordination with the Local Authority, and in accordance with the applicable controls and procedures. 4. Provide the necessary guidance, support, and empowerment to Public Welfare Associations, enabling them to formulate their objectives and determine their fields of work in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Guide. Second: Roles and Responsibilities of the Local Authority The Local Authority shall undertake the following: 1. Provide the necessary guidance, support, and empowerment to Public Welfare Associations licensed thereby, enabling them to formulate their objectives and determine their fields of work in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Guide. 2. Conduct a preliminary classification of Public Welfare Associations. 3. Ensure the compliance of Public Welfare Associations licensed thereby with the approved classification issued thereto by the Ministry. Third: Roles and Responsibilities of Public Welfare Associations Public Welfare Associations shall be obligated to align their activities and objectives in a manner consistent with the fields of work specified in accordance with this Guide. 6. Fields of Work of Public Welfare Associations

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Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities 7 Pursuant to Article (4) of the Decree by Law, the fields of work and activities of Public Welfare Associations are structured as follows: Entertainmen t Culture Environment Sciences Humanitarian Relief Education Arts Social Work Professional Creativity Political and Partisan Activities Military and Paramilitary Activities Prohibited Fields Permitted Fields of Work for Public Welfare Associations

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Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities 8 7. List of Fields of Work of Public Welfare Associations1: 1 A Public Welfare Association shall operate within only one of the specified fields of work.

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Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities 9 8. List of Public Welfare Activities Associated with the Fields of Work of Public Welfare Associations1: Culture and Creative Arts Scientific Research Education Professional Development Entertainment and Sports Environment Cultural Heritage Technology and Engineering Research Early Childhood Education Science and Engineering Entertainment Activities Sustainability and Climate Change Cultural Education Biological Research Public School Education Healthcare Supporters of Sports and Clubs Recycling Arts Environment and Earth Sciences Higher Education Teaching Marine Environments Design Space Exploration and Astronomy Vocational Education and Training Business and Management Terrestrial Environments Audio-Visual Media Physics and Chemistry Research Technical and Vocational Education Legal Affairs Humanities and Social Sciences Continuing Education and Literacy Social Fields Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Industry and Agriculture Tourism and Culture Alumni and Colleague Networks 1 A Public Welfare Association may engage in one or more activities within its primary field of work.

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Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities 10 Charitable Work Family and Community Empowerment Health Animal Welfare Volunteering Children Physical Health and Therapeutic Measures Protection of Pets Empowerment and Capacity Building Women Mental Health Services and Therapeutic Measures Wildlife Conservation Volunteering People of Determination Preventive Health Services Veterinary Services Senior Citizens Quality of Life and Healthy Nutrition Other Specialized Animal Welfare Services Communities Mother and Child Care Youth Family Cohesion National Identity and Citizenship Human Rights Vulnerable Groups 9. Public Welfare Activities Conducted by Public Welfare Associations According to Their Approved Field The importance of this section lies in highlighting the description of public Welfare activities associated with the approved fields of work. The inclusion of examples for each activity is intended as a reference to guide and facilitate the classification process.

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Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities 11 1. Culture and Creative Arts: Level Two – Activities Description / Definition Examples (Non- Exhaustive) Cultural Heritage Promoting traditions, artworks, and authentic traits passed down from generation to generation within the community or group. Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Protecting cultural heritage. Cultural Education Learning about different cultures and heritage, including studying their history and the development of craft skills. Cultural academies, schools, and institutes. Arts Promoting various forms of art and artistic expression. Literary arts museum. Visual arts exhibitions. Performing arts. Design Supporting engagement with various forms of design. Cultural products crafts (jewelry, fashion, etc.). Audio-Visual Media Promoting audio-visual media. Journalism services. Public broadcasting. Development of social media.

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Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities 12 2. Scientific Research: Level Two – Activities Description / Definition Examples (Non-Exhaustive) Technology and Engineering Research Research in the field of technology and engineering. Research and development in robotics. Machine learning. Application of artificial intelligence in various industries. Biological Research Research in the fields of biology and medicine. Medical research. Research in microbiology. Environment and Earth Sciences Research in the fields of environment and earth sciences. Stratigraphy and Paleontology. Research in climatology. Space Exploration and Astronomy Research in the fields of astronomy and space exploration. Research in astrophysics. Study of stars and galaxies. Physics and Chemistry Research in the fields of physics and chemistry. Research in nanoscience. Research in thermodynamics. Humanities and Social Sciences Research in the fields of humanities and social sciences. Study of philosophy. Research in sociology. Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Research in the fields of mathematics and statistics. Theory Development. Promoting the application of mathematics in science and industry.

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Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities 13 3. Education Level Two – Activities Description / Definition Examples (Non- Exhaustive) Early Childhood Education Providing and improving educational opportunities and resources available to young children (pre-kindergarten stage). Nurseries. Public School Education Providing and improving educational programs, resources, and support offered to students in primary education stages. Schools. Kindergartens. Higher Education Developing educational services provided at colleges and universities, and enabling beneficiaries to access them. Universities. Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer Enhancing capacity building and knowledge transfer through specialized training programs. Training academies for high-potential talents. Online career skills courses. Technical and Vocational Education Promoting learning based on skills-enhancement programs and training to prepare students and individuals for technical and vocational career paths. Vocational education academies. Online technical learning courses. Continuing Education Providing continuous learning opportunities and encouraging their utilization. Adult literacy programs. Training courses and online resources for all age groups.

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Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities 14 4. Professional Development: (1/2): Level Two – Activities Description / Definition Examples (Non- Exhaustive) Science and Engineering Supporting interests and developing professionals in the fields of science and engineering. Physicists and earth science specialists. Mathematicians and statisticians. Life science specialists. Engineers (excluding electrical engineering). Electrical engineers. Architects, planners, surveyors, and designers. Health Supporting interests and developing professionals in the field of healthcare. Physicians. Nurses. Traditional and complementary medicine specialists. Allied health practitioners. Veterinarians. Other healthcare specialists. Teaching Supporting interests and developing professionals in the field of teaching and academic services. University professors and higher education instructors.

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Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Approval of the Classification Guide for Public Welfare Associations and their Public Welfare Activities 15 Vocational education teachers. Secondary education teachers. Primary and early childhood schoolteachers. Other schoolte