Sheikh Khalifa decree declares Yasat a marine reserve

ABU DHABI: In his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued three Emiri decrees on the restructuring of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, appointing Acting Head of the Department of Finance and declaration of the Yasat area as a marine reserve. The decrees have been published in the last edition of the Official Gazette issued by the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Khalifa issued Emiri Decree No. (1) of 2019 concerning the restructuring of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Sheikh Khalifa also issued Emiri Decree No. (2) of 2019 regarding the appointment of Jassim Mohammed Bouataba Al Zaabi as Acting Head of the Department of Finance. The decree is effective as of the date of its issuance. It was issued on January 21, 2019.

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa also issued Emiri Decree No. (4) of 2019 concerning the declaration of the Yasat area as a marine reserve with a total area of 2,256 square kilometers within the borders specified in the map attached to the decree.

Under the legislation in force, the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi shall administer the aforementioned reserve by determining the prohibited acts and practices and granting licenses for activities, activities or works in the surrounding areas following conducting and accepting the environmental impact assessment study.

Iman Suroor reported that President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, issued seven laws establishing a number of authorities and regulating public and private partnership occupancy of properties in Abu Dhabi. The laws were published in the recent edition of the Official Gazette issued by the General Secretariat of Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

Sheikh Khalifa issued law no. 1 for 2019 establishing Abu Dhabi Investment Office. The office will have an independent legal personality and full legal capacity and will report to the Department of Economic Development. The law takes effect from the date of publishing on January 10, 2019.

He also issued law no. 2 for 2019 regulating partnership between public and private sectors. The law is aimed at encouraging the private sector to take part in development projects and increase its investments in various fields to serve the emirate’s economic and social development. The law takes effect from the date of publishing on January 31, 2019.

Sheikh Khalifa issued law no. 3 for 2019 establishing Abu Dhabi Energy Company. The law stipulated that the legal form of the company be changed into a public joint-stock company of independent legal personality, financial and administrative independence and full legal capacity.

The law takes effect from the date of publishing on January 10, 2019.

He also issued law no. 6 for 2019 establishing Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority, and law no. 6 for 2019 establishing the Community Contributions Authority (‘Ma’an’).

Sheikh Khalifa also issued law no. 7 for 2019 establishing Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority. According to the law, the authority will have an independent legal personality and full legal capacity and will report to the Executive Council. The law takes effect from the date of publishing on January 31, 2019.

He also issued law no. 8 for 2019 regulating occupancy of real estates and residential units in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The law takes effect from the date of publishing on January 31, 2019.

Recently, President Khalifa  issued Federal Decree No. 27 of 2019 appointing two female judges at the Federal Judiciary.

The new judges Khadeeja Khamis Khalifa Al Malas and Salamah Rashid Salem Al Ketbi are the first two Emirati women to hold judicial positions at the Federal level in the UAE.

This latest appointment reflects the UAE government’s stance to ensure that women are empowered in their line of work, playing an integral role in the development and progress of the nation.

WAM