E-mail:
Country:
United Arab Emirates
Organization/agency name (Full name):
Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology
Contact person name:
Khadija Qalandari
Website:
Physical full address:
Phone number:
00971509787988
Fax number:
Country introduction
Summary:
The UAE is a constitutional federation of seven emirates. Abu Dhabi city is the capital of the UAE. The UAE is a politically and economically stable country and holds the 25th position globally in Global Competitiveness Report 2019 by World Economic Forum. In addition, it stands out as one of the 10 largest donor states in official development aid (ODA). Recognised as a tolerant country, the UAE hosts more than 200 nationalities doing business, living, learning and touring the UAE. Residents enjoy freedom of civil rights and practice of religion. Learn more facts about the UAE.
Abu Dhabi city is the capital of the UAE Federation.
Presidents
The late H. H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the first President of the UAE and is known as the Father of the Nation. He served this position since the formation of the UAE on 2 December 1971 until he passed away in 2004.
H. H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the UAE. He took this position in 2004. He is also the Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Political system
The UAE is a constitutional federation of seven emirates. The Constitution of the UAE provides for five federal authorities. They are:
- The Supreme Council
- The President and the Vice-President
- The Cabinet
- The Federal National Council
- The Federal Judiciary
UAE Nation Brand
In 2020, the UAE adopted the ‘7 Lines’ design as its logo for the next 50 years. The logo represents the seven emirates and the seven founding fathers, and complements the slogan ‘Make it Happen’. This logo is to represent the UAE in all its initiatives and events and convey its story to the world.
GDP
According to Annual Economic Report 2019 (PDF, 18.5 MB), GDP at constant prices was AED 1,442.5 billion, while GDP at current prices was AED 1,521.1 billion in 2018.
Imports and exports
The non-oil foreign trade (direct trade and free zones) amounted to 1.536 trillion dirhams during 2018. The breakup is as follows:
Imports: 898.5 billion dirham
Non-oil exports: 206 billion dirham
Re-exports: 431.55 billion dirham.
Source: Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority
Human rights in the UAE
Throughout its history, the UAE has followed the principles of justice and equality, respect for human rights, humanitarian aid and relief action in line with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since its inception, the UAE has ensured the founding of a tolerant and multi-cultural community in which individuals from across the world live in harmony, guaranteeing via its constitution their civil liberties.
Economy
Strategic location, strong financial reserves, large sovereign wealth fund, promising investor home economies, consistent government spending, progressive policy of economic diversification, free zones and increased foreign direct investment contribute to the UAE’s robust economy.
The UAE’s digital economy
The strategic plans of the national economy are mainly based on the digital economy, as it contributes to creating real opportunities for foreign direct investment. Digital economy in the UAE is being implemented through the adoption of the UAE Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution as one of its aims is to enhance economic security by adopting digital economy and blockchain technologies in financial transactions and service.
Framework
Regulatory framework:
My country has a regulatory framework that requires the competent authority to conduct safety assessment of GM food.
Structure for GM food safety assessment:
My country has competent authority, agency, organization, ministry, department, committee, commission or a system/mechanism that is tasked to conduct or review GM food safety assessment.
Supplemental information:
The law in UAE pertaining to GMO food and related products are mainly two regulations covering GMOs, the UAE.S GSO 2141:2011 “General Requirements for Genetically Modified Unprocessed Agricultural Products.” This technical regulation outlines general requirements for unprocessed agricultural products obtained through certain techniques of genetic modification and unprocessed agricultural products that contain genetically modified organism, if the GMO present is higher than one per cent. Secondly, the UAE.S GSO 2142:2011 “General Requirements for Genetically Modified Processed Agricultural Products.” This technical regulation covers general requirements for processed food and feeds obtained through certain techniques of genetic modification and processed food and feed that contain or produced from genetically modified organism if the GMO present is higher than one per cent of the ingredients. In addition, GSO 2371:2014 specifies the typical terms and definitions of genetically modified food.
Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:
Ministry if Industry and Advanced Technology
Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
Assessment
GM food safety assessment guidelines:
My country follows the relevant Codex Guidelines or national/regional guidelines that are in line with the Codex Guidelines in conducting safety assessment of GM food.
Conduct of GM food safety assessment:
My country regularly conducts food safety assessment of GM food.
Supplemental information on the implementation:
Federal Law On Food Safety: The law lays down the standards and regulations for maintaining the safety and quality of food to ensure the protection of public health and consumers. The law imposes strict penalties for companies endangering food safety across the UAE. In fact, no food could be imported for the first time without approval of Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. The Ministry through its National Food Safety Committee works to implement law on safety to ensure high standards of safety throughout food chain.
Local Entities Ensuring Food Safety: Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority is the authority which authenticates food safety in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and certifies that the food is fit for human consumption. It conducts the vital research and studies on safe food practices and issues rules, regulations and standards on the food items that could be sold and fit for human consumption.
Stacked events
Regulation of stacked events:
In my country, GM food/feed that contains stacked event(s) is considered as a new product even if all single events that are stacked have already approved.
Supplemental information on the stacked events:
Production and trade
GM food/feed production:
My country produces GM food or feed for commercial and research purposes.
GM food/feed imports:
My country allows imports GM food or feed upon authorization.
Supplemental information on the production and trade:
40% of food in the UAE is genetically modified
LLP/AP incidents
LLP/AP incidents:
My country has not faced any LLP/AP situations in the last 10 years.
Supplemental information on the LLP/AP incidents:
Labelling requirement
Labelling requirement:
My country allows a voluntary and positive labeling on GM food.
Supplemental information on the Labelling requirement:
Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment
Other relevant documents:
Country information last modified:
22/12/2021
