ABOUT THE UAE: Overview
Fact Sheet : United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is a federation comprised of seven city-states: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Fujairah, Ajman and Ra’s al-Khaimah.
Founded in 1971, the federation—about the size of the State of Maine—occupies approximately 32,000 square miles along the Arabian Gulf and is home to a diverse population of 4.5 million people, of which 800,000 are Emirati.
In just over three decades, the nation has transformed itself from a traditional tribal culture to a modern success story. The UAE offers world-class infrastructure and attractions and has made dramatic developments in education, healthcare and the institutions of government and justice.
As a member of many multi-national organizations, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council, the UAE takes seriously its role as an engaged, open and active international citizen.
Reliable and Innovative Energy Supplier
With nearly 10 percent of the total world supply of proven crude oil reserves and the world’s fifth largest natural gas reserves, the UAE is a critical and responsible supplier in global energy markets. The UAE exports 62 percent of its crude oil and almost all of its gas exports to Japan.
While a mainstay to the economy, oil exports now account for only about 35 percent of total gross domestic product, as a result of aggressive government policies designed to diversify the UAE economy.
The UAE is also pursuing groundbreaking renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, including the multi-billion dollar Masdar initiative which is building the first zero-emission, zero waste city in the world. In 2005 the UAE ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Convention on Climate Change, becoming one of the first major oil-producing countries to do so.
Modernizing and Diversifying the Economy
The UAE has one of the most open and dynamic economies in the world. The UAE has successfully embarked on a significant diversification and liberalization program to reduce reliance on oil and transform its economy from a conventional, labor-intensive economy to one based on knowledge, technology and skilled labor. The federal and individual Emirate governments have invested heavily in sectors such as aluminum production, tourism, aviation, re-export commerce and telecommunications.
Recent indexes point to the success of these policy endeavors:
- The global competitiveness index, released by the World Economic Forum, ranks UAE 37th in the world.
- The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) ranks the UAE 24th worldwide in terms of performance of foreign direct investment inflows.
- The Arab Competitiveness Report, issued by the World Economic Forum, ranks the UAE as the most competitive economy in the Arab World. The WEF also ranks the UAE 29th among the 40 most advanced economies in the world.
Preserving a Secure Gulf through Cooperation
The UAE has some of the most sophisticated defense capabilities in the Gulf. These assets safeguard UAE sovereign and commercial interests, particularly in the Arabian Gulf, and preserve security and stability in the region more broadly. The UAE armed forces consist of nearly 49,000 troops and are primarily responsible for the defense of the seven emirates. The officer corps is composed almost entirely of UAE Nationals.
The UAE has deployed its military forces and/or provided assistance to US and NATO missions in Afghanistan, Operation Desert Storm/Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as UN Operations in Somalia and Kosovo.
Evolving Government
The UAE’s parliament known as the Federal National Council (FNC) examines proposed new legislation and provides advice to the UAE cabinet. In December 2006, the first indirect elections of FNC members were held. Previously, all FNC members were simply appointed by the rulers of each Emirate. The introduction of indirect elections represents the beginning of a process to modernize the UAE’s system of government and is representative of an overall effort to improve the efficiency, accountability and participatory nature of government in the UAE.
A Tolerant and Open Society
The UAE is open and tolerant. Women are guaranteed full rights in the UAE Constitution, are highly educated and increasingly well-represented in the workplace. In fact, across all institutions of higher education in the UAE, the total number of UAE National women enrolled in higher education is approximately 190 percent of the number of UAE National men. Women form 22 percent of the Federal National Council’s membership, and two cabinet ministers are women—including Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of the Economy, who was on Forbes magazine’s list of the 100 most powerful women in the world.
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