February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

The Federal Supreme Council (FSC) is the highest constitutional and legislative authority in the United Arab Emirates. Established under Articles 46 and 47 of the UAE Constitution, it comprises the rulers of all seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. The FSC holds ultimate decision-making power over matters of national policy, elects the President and Vice President, ratifies federal laws and international treaties, and approves the appointment of the Prime Minister and senior judges.

UAE Context

The FSC meets at least once annually but convenes more frequently when national matters require collective decision-making. Substantive resolutions on policy matters require the approval of five of the seven members, provided that both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are among the consenting majority. Procedural matters require a simple majority. This voting structure reflects the constitutional weight of the two largest emirates while preserving the participatory rights of all seven rulers. The Council elects the President for a renewable five-year term.

Key Data

The FSC elected Sheikh Zayed as the first President in 1971 and re-elected him consecutively until 2004. Sheikh Khalifa was elected in 2004 and served until 2022. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was unanimously elected in May 2022. The Council has ratified every major international treaty the UAE has entered, including the Paris Agreement, the Abraham Accords, and BRICS membership.

Vision 2031 Significance

The FSC provides the ultimate constitutional endorsement for all national strategic frameworks, including Vision 2031 and the Centennial 2071. Its unanimous support for major policy directions signals the unity of purpose across all seven emirates and lends constitutional legitimacy to long-term development planning.

  • UAE Constitution — The legal document that establishes the FSC and defines its powers.
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed — The current President elected by the FSC.
  • UAE Cabinet — The executive body that operates under the FSC’s constitutional authority.
  • Federal National Council — The advisory parliamentary body that complements the FSC in the legislative process.