United Arab Emirates
Bureau of Near Eastern
Affairs
June
2007
Background Note: United Arab
Emirates
Flag of United Arab Emirates is three equal horizontal bands of green
at top, white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist
side.
PROFILE
OFFICIAL
NAME:
United Arab
Emirates
Geography
Area: 82,880 sq. km. (30,000 sq. mi.); about the size of
Maine.
Cities (2002 est.): Capital--Abu Dhabi (pop. 1,000,000); Dubai
(pop.
860,000).
Terrain: Largely desert with some agricultural
areas.
Climate: Hot, humid, low annual
rainfall.
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--U.A.E.,
Emirati.
Population (2007 est.): 4.4
million.
Population growth rate (2007 est.):
4.0%.
Ethnic groups: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Egyptian, Jordanian,
Iranian, Filipino, other Arab; (15-20% of residents are U.A.E.
citizens).
Religions: Muslim (96%), Hindu,
Christian.
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Hindi, Urdu,
Persian.
Education: Years compulsory--ages 6-12. Literacy (U.A.E.
citizens)--about
80%.
Health: Life expectancy--about 76
yrs.
Work force (2006) 2.968 million (93% foreign in 15-64 age
group):
Agriculture--2.3%; industry--61.9%;
services--35.8%.
Government
Type: Federation of
emirates.
Independence: December 2,
1971.
Provisional constitution: December 2,
1971.
Branches: Executive--7-member Supreme Council of Rulers, which
elects president and vice
president. Legislative--40-member Federal National Council
(consultative only). Judicial--Islamic and secular
courts.
Administrative subdivisions: Seven largely self-governing
city-states. Political parties:
None.
Suffrage: State-nominated electors chose half of the Federal National
Council seats in
2006.
Central government budget (2006): $7
billion.
Economy
GDP (2006 est.): $163
billion.
Annual growth rate (2006 est.):
9.7%.
Per capita GDP (2006 est.):
$37,000.
Inflation rate (2006 est.):
10-13%.
Natural resources: Oil and natural
gas.
Agriculture (2005 est., 2.0% of GDP): Products--vegetables, dates,
dairy products, poultry,
fish.
Petroleum (2005 est.):
36%.
Manufacturing (2005 est.):
13%.
Services (44% of 2003 GDP): Trade, government, real
estate.
Trade (2006 est.): Exports--$157 billion: petroleum, gas, and
petroleum products. Major
markets--Japan, South Korea, Thailand, India. Imports--$126.6 billion:
machinery, chemicals, food. Major suppliers--Western Europe, Japan,
U.S., China,
India.
Foreign economic aid (2004): In excess of $5.25
billion.
PEOPLE
Only 15-20% of the total population of 4.4 million is U.A.E.
citizens. The rest include significant numbers of other
Arabs--Palestinians, Egyptians, Jordanians,
Yemenis, Omanis--as well as many Indians,
Pakistanis,
Bangladeshis, Iranians, Afghans, Filipinos, and west
Europeans.
The majority of U.A.E. citizens are Sunni Muslims with a very small
Shi'a minority. Many foreigners also are Muslim,
although Hindus and Christians make up a portion of
the U.A.E.'s foreign
population.
Educational standards among U.A.E. citizens population are rising
rapidly. Citizens and temporary residents have taken
advantage of facilities
throughout the country. The UAE University in Al Ain had roughly
17,000 students in 2004. The Higher
Colleges of Technology, a network
of
technical-vocational colleges, opened in 1989 with men's and women's
campuses in each emirate. Zayed University for women opened in 1998
with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Zayed University will
establish separate male campuses for the 2007-2008 academic
year. American University Sharjah had over 4,500 students
enrolled in 2007. Many foreign universities, including ones from the
U.S., U.K., and Australia, also have campuses in the
U.A.E.
HISTORY
The U.A.E. was formed from the group of tribally organized Arabian
Peninsula Sheikhdoms along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf and
the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman. This area was converted
to Islam in the Seventh century; for centuries it was
embroiled in dynastic disputes. It became known as the Pirate Coast as
raiders based there harassed foreign
shipping, although both
European and Arab navies patrolled the area from the
17th century into the 19th century.
Early British expeditions to protect the India trade from raiders at
Ras al-Khaimah led to campaigns against
that
headquarters and other harbors along the coast in 1819. The next year,
a general peace treaty was signed to which
all the principal sheikhs of the coast adhered.
Raids continued intermittently until 1835, when the sheikhs
agreed not to engage in hostilities at sea. In 1853, they signed a
treaty with the United Kingdom, under which the
sheikhs (the "Trucial Sheikhdoms") agreed to a "perpetual
maritime truce." It was enforced by the
United Kingdom, and
disputes among sheikhs were referred to the British
for
settlement.
Primarily in reaction to the ambitions of other European countries,
the United Kingdom and the Trucial
Sheikhdoms established closer bonds in an 1892 treaty, similar to
treaties entered into by the U.K. with other
Gulf principalities.
The sheikhs agreed not to dispose of any territory except to the
United Kingdom and not to enter into relationships with any
foreign government other than the
United Kingdom without its consent. In return, the British promised
to protect the Trucial Coast from all aggression by sea and to help
out in case of land
attack.
In 1955, the United Kingdom sided with Abu Dhabi in the latter's
dispute with Saudi Arabia over the Buraimi Oasis and other territory
to the south. A 1974 agreement between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia
would have settled the Abu Dhabi-Saudi
border dispute; however, the agreement has yet to be ratified by the
U.A.E. Government. The border with Oman also remains
officially
unsettled, but the two governments agreed to delineate the border in
May 1999. Since that time, the U.A.E. has
constructed a border fence along the entire length with
both Oman and Saudi Arabia. The new fence and checkpoints will likely
be finished by
2008-2009.
In 1968, the U.K. announced its decision, reaffirmed in March 1971,
to end the treaty relationships with the seven Trucial
Sheikhdoms which had been, together with Bahrain and
Qatar, under British protection. The nine attempted to form a union of
Arab emirates, but by mid-1971 they were unable to agree on
terms of union, even though the termination date of the British
treaty relationship was the end of 1971. Bahrain
became independent in August and Qatar in September 1971.
When the British-Trucial Sheikhdoms treaty expired on December
1, 1971, they became fully independent. On December 2, 1971, six of
them entered into a union called the United Arab Emirates. The
seventh, Ras al-Khaimah, joined in early
1972.
The U.A.E. sent forces to help liberate Kuwait during the 1990-91
Gulf War. U.A.E. troops have also participated in peacekeeping
missions to Somalia, Lebanon, Bosnia, Albania,
Kosovo, and
Kuwait.
In 2004, the U.A.E.'s first and only president until that time,
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, died. His eldest son Khalifa bin
Zayed Al Nahyan succeeded him as
Ruler of Abu Dhabi. In accordance with the Constitution, the U.A.E.'s
Supreme Council of Rulers elected Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
as U.A.E. Federal President. Mohammed bin Zayed al
Nahyan succeeded Khalifa as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. In
January 2006, Sheikh Makotum bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, U.A.E. Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, passed
away and was replaced by his brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum (MbR), Ruler of Dubai and U.A.E. Minister of Defense.
On February 9, 2006, the U.A.E. announced a cabinet
reshuffle. Several ministries were eliminated or renamed, while
others were
created.
GOVERNMENT
Administratively, the U.A.E. is a loose federation of seven emirates,
each with its own ruler. The pace at which local
government in each emirate
evolves from traditional to modern is set primarily by the ruler. Under
the provisional constitution of 1971, each emirate reserves
considerable powers, including control over mineral rights (notably
oil and gas) and revenues. In this milieu, federal powers have
developed slowly. The
constitution
established the positions of President (Chief of State) and Vice
President, each serving 5-year terms; a Council of Ministers,
led by a Prime Minister (head of government); a supreme
council of rulers; and a 40-member Federal National
Council (FNC). The FNC is a consultative body with half its members
appointed by the emirate rulers and half
elected.
Principal Government
Officials
President, Ruler of Abu Dhabi--Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al
Nahyan
Vice President, Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Ruler of
Dubai--Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum
Deputy Prime Minister--Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al
Nahyan
Deputy Prime Minister--Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al
Nahyan
Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi Crown
Prince--Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al
Nahyan
Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development--Abdul Rahman
Mohammed Al
Owais
Minister of Economy--Sheikha Lubna Al
Qasimi
Minister of Education--Dr. Hanif
Hassan
Minister of Energy--Mohammed bin Dha'en Al
Hamili
Minister of Environment and Water--Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al
Kindi
Minister of Federal National Council Affairs--Dr. Anwar Mohammed
Gargash Minister of Finance and
Industry--Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al
Maktoum Minister of Foreign
Affairs--Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al
Nahyan
Minister of Governmental Sector Development--Sultan Al
Mansouri
Minister of Health--Humaid Mohammed Al
Qatami
Minister of Higher Education--Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al
Nahyan
Minister of Interior--Major Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al
Nahyan
Minister of Justice--Mohammed Nakhira Al
Daheri
Minister of Labor--Dr. Ali bin Abdullah Al
Kaabi
Minister of Presidential Affairs--Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al
Nahyan Minister of
Public Works--Sheikh amdan bin Mubarak Al
Nahyan
Minister of Social Affairs--Mariam Mohammed Khalfan Al
Roumi
Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs--Mohammad Abdullah
Gergawi
Minister of State for Financial and Industrial Affairs--Dr. Mohammed
Khalfan Bin
Kharbash
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs--Mohammed Hussain Al
Sha'ali
Ambassador to the United States--Saqr
Ghobash
Ambassador to the United Nations--Abd al-Aziz Bin Nasir
al-Shamsi
The U.A.E. maintains an embassy in the United States at 3522
International Court, NW, Washington, DC, 20008 (tel.
202-243-2400). The U.A.E. Mission to the UN is located at 747
3rd Avenue, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10017 (tel.
212-371-0480).
POLITICAL
CONDITIONS
The relative political and financial influence of each emirate is
reflected in the allocation of positions in the federal
government. The ruler of Abu Dhabi, whose emirate is the
U.A.E.'s major oil producer, is president of the U.A.E. The ruler of
Dubai, which is the U.A.E.'s commercial center, is vice
president and prime
minister.
Since achieving independence in 1971, the U.A.E. has worked to
strengthen its federal institutions. Nonetheless, each emirate still
retains substantial autonomy, and progress toward
greater federal integration has slowed in
recent years. A basic concept in the U.A.E. Government's development
as a federal system is that a significant
percentage of each emirate's revenues should be devoted
to the U.A.E. central
budget.
The U.A.E. has no political parties. The rulers hold power on the
basis of their dynastic position and their legitimacy in
a system of tribal consensus. Rapid modernization, enormous strides in
education, and the influx of a large foreign population have changed
the face of the society. In December 2006, the U.A.E.
held its first-ever limited elections to select half the members
of the FNC. Ballots were cast by electors selected by the emir of
each emirate. One woman was
elected to the FNC and seven additional women were
appointed to be council
members.
DEFENSE
The Trucial Oman Scouts, long the symbol of public order on the coast
and commanded by British officers, were turned over
to the U.A.E. as its defense forces in 1971. The U.A.E. armed forces,
consisting of 48,800 troops, are headquartered in
Abu Dhabi and are primarily responsible for the defense of the
seven
emirates.
Although small in number, the U.A.E. armed forces are equipped with
some of the most modern weapon systems, purchased from a
variety of outside
countries. The military has been reducing the number of foreign
nationals in its ranks, and its officer corps is composed almost
entirely of U.A.E. nationals. The
U.A.E. air force has about 4,000 personnel. The Air Force has
advanced U.S. F-16 BLOCK 60 multi-role fighter aircraft. Other
equipment includes French Mirage 2000-9
fighters, British Hawk trainer aircraft, 36
transport aircraft and U.S. Apache and French Puma helicopters. The
Air Defense Force is linked into a
joint air defense system with the other six Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC) nations aimed at protecting the airspace
of the allied states. The U.A.E. Navy is small--about
2,500 personnel--and maintains 12
well-equipped coastal patrol boats and 8 missile boats. Although
primarily concerned with coastal defense, the Navy is constructing a
six-unit class of blue water corvettes in conjunction with French
shipbuilder CMN. The U.A.E.'s Land Forces are equipped with several
hundred French LeClerc tanks and a similar number of Russian
BMP-3 armored fighting vehicles. The U.A.E. Special Operations
Command (SOC) is a small but effective force centered on the
counter-terrorism mission within the country. SOC is
well-financed, trained, and equipped
and is capable of executing its mission with a level of expertise
equal to, or above, the rest of the
GCC.
The U.A.E. contributes to the continued security and stability of the
Gulf and the Straits of Hormuz. It is a leading partner
in the campaign against global terrorism, providing
assistance in the military, diplomatic, and
financial arenas since September 11,
2001
ECONOMY
Prior to the first exports of oil in 1962, the U.A.E. economy was
dominated by pearl production, fishing, agriculture, and
herding. Since the rise of oil prices in 1973, however, petroleum has
dominated the economy, accounting for most of its export earnings and
providing significant opportunities for
investment. The U.A.E. has huge proven oil reserves, estimated at
98.8 billion barrels in 2003,
with gas reserves estimated at (212 trillion cubic feet); at
present production rates, these supplies would last well over 150
years. In 2006, the U.A.E. produced about 2.8 million barrels of oil
per
day.
Major increases in imports occurred in manufactured goods, machinery,
and transportation equipment, which together
accounted for 70% of total imports. Another important foreign
exchange earner, the Abu Dhabi
Investment
Authority--which controls the investments of Abu Dhabi, the
wealthiest emirate--manages an
estimated $600 billion in overseas
investments.
More than 6,000 companies from more than 120 countries operate at the
Jebel Ali complex in Dubai, which includes a deep-water port
and a free trade zone for manufacturing and distribution in which all
goods for re-export or
transshipment enjoy a 100% duty exemption. A major power plant
with associated
water desalination units, an aluminum smelter, and a
steel fabrication unit are
prominent facilities near the
complex.
Except in the free trade zone, the U.A.E. requires at least 51% local
citizen ownership in all businesses operating in the country as part
of its attempt to place Emiratis into leadership
positions.
As a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the U.A.E.
participates in a wide range of GCC activities that focus on economic
issues. These include regular consultations and development of
common policies covering trade, investment,
banking and finance, transportation, telecommunications,
and other technical areas, including
protection of intellectual property rights.
FOREIGN
RELATIONS
The U.A.E. is a member of the United Nations and the Arab League and
has established diplomatic relations with
more than 60 countries, including the U.S., Japan, Russia, the
People's Republic of China, and most
western European countries.
It has played a moderate role in the Organization of
Petroleum Exporting Countries, the Organization of Arab Petroleum
Exporting Countries, the United Nations, and the
GCC.
Substantial development assistance has increased the U.A.E.'s stature
among recipient states. Most of this foreign aid (in excess of
$15 billion) has been to Arab and Muslim
countries.
Following Iraq's 1990 invasion and attempted annexation of Kuwait,
the U.A.E. has sought to rely on the GCC, the United States, and other
Western allies for its security. The U.A.E. believes that
the Arab League needs to be
restructured to become a viable institution and would like to
increase strength and
interoperability of the GCC defense
forces.
In 2007, the U.A.E. pledged and delivered $300 million to Lebanon,
and was the first country to fulfill its pledge. The
U.A.E. has provided significant monetary and material support to the
Iraqi Government, including a pledge of $215 million in economic and
reconstruction assistance, and has also provided substantial aid to
Afghanistan and the Palestinian
Authority.
The U.A.E. is a member of the following international organizations:
UN and several of its specialized agencies (ICAO, ILO, UPU,
WHO, WIPO); World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Arab
League, Organization of the Islamic Conference, Organization of
Petroleum Exporting Countries, Organization of Arab
Petroleum Exporting Countries, and the Non-Aligned
Movement.
U.S.-U.A.E.
RELATIONS
The United States has enjoyed friendly relations with the U.A.E.
since 1971. Private commercial ties, especially in petroleum, have
developed into friendly
government-to-government ties which include security assistance. The
breadth, depth, and quality of U.S.-U.A.E. relations increased
dramatically as a result of the U.S.-led coalition's campaign
to end the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait. In 2002, the U.S. and the
U.A.E. launched a strategic partnership dialogue covering virtually
every aspect of the relationship. The U.A.E. has been a key partner
in the War on Terror. U.A.E. ports host more U.S. Navy
ships than any port outside the U.S. The United States was the third
country to establish formal diplomatic relations with the U.A.E. and
has had an ambassador resident in the
U.A.E. since
1974.
Principal U.S.
Officials
Ambassador--Michele J.
Sison
Deputy Chief of Mission--Martin
Quinn
Political Officer--Al
Magleby
Economic Officer--Oliver
John
Consular Officer--Robert
Dolce
Public Affairs Officer--Steven
Pike
Management Officer--Stewart
Devine
Commercial Officer--Christian
Reed
U.S. Embassy mailing address--PO Box 4009, Abu Dhabi; tel: (971)
(2) 414-2200, PAO
(971)(2) 414-2410; fax: (971)(2) 414-2603; Commercial Office:
(971)(2) 414-2304; fax: (971)(2) 414-2228; Consul General in
Dubai--Paul Sutphin; PO Box 9343; tel: (971)
(4) 311-6000; fax: (971)(4) 311-6166,
Commercial Office: (971)(4)
311-6149).
TRAVEL AND BUSINESS
INFORMATION
The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program advises
Americans traveling and residing abroad through Consular Information
Sheets, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings.
Consular Information Sheets exist for all countries and include
information on entry and exit requirements, currency
regulations, health conditions, safety and security, crime,
political disturbances, and
the addresses of the U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. Public
Announcements are issued to disseminate information quickly
about terrorist threats and other relatively
short-term conditions overseas that pose significant
risks to the security of American travelers. Travel Warnings are
issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel
to a certain country because the situation is dangerous or
unstable.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling
abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau
of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://www.travel.state.gov, where the
current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings
can be found. Consular Affairs Publications,
which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe
trip abroad, are also available at http://www.travel.state.gov.
For additional information on international
travel, see http://www.usa.gov/
Citizen/Topics/Travel/International.shtml.
The Department of State encourages all U.S citizens who traveling or
residing abroad to register via the State Department's travel
registration website or at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate
abroad. Registration will make your presence and whereabouts known in
case it is necessary to contact you in an emergency and will
enable you to receive up-to-date information on security
conditions.
Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be
obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and
Canada or the regular toll line 1-202-501-4444 for
callers outside the U.S. and
Canada.
The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) is the U.S.
Department of State's single, centralized public
contact center for U.S.
passport
information. Telephone: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778). Customer
service representatives and operators for TDD/TTY
are available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight,
Eastern Time, excluding federal
holidays.
Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.
A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm
give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations
or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for
regions and countries. A booklet entitled "Health
Information for International Travel"
(HHS
publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S.
Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202)
512-1800.
Further Electronic
Information
Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at
http:// www.state.gov, the Department of State web
site provides timely, global access to
official U.S. foreign policy information, including
Background Notes and daily press briefings
along with the directory of key officers of Foreign Service
posts and more. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides
security information and regional news that impact U.S. companies
working abroad through its website http://www.osac.gov
Export.gov provides a portal to all export-related assistance and
market information offered by the federal
government and provides trade leads, free export counseling, help
with the export process, and
more.
STAT-USA/Internet, a service of the U.S. Department of Commerce,
provides authoritative economic, business, and
international trade information from the Federal
government. The site includes current and
historical
trade-related releases, international market research, trade
opportunities, and country analysis and provides access to the
National Trade Data Bank.
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United Arab Emirates
