Media Center

The UAE Ministerial Development Council, presided over by His Highness ‎Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al ‎Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister ‎of Presidential Affairs, discussed today‏ ‏a number of programs ‎and initiatives in government affairs. ‎

 The Council discussed a Federal Law on early childhood care and ‎education (from birth to 6 years), which aims at developing a framework for the early childhood care ‎programs and raising awareness among parents and society to this critical period of the child’s life, and ‎the importance of providing quality care and educational elements necessary for a healthy ‎upbringing. The draft law would target all parties concerned in childcare such as families and institutions. ‎

 The Council also discussed the proposed provisions on community service, which comes within the ‎framework of the UAE strategy to develop current punitive legislation to be at the forefront of best ‎international practices that adopt alternatives to imprisonment in minor crimes. Introducing community services as an alternative punishment would contribute to the rehabilitation of the offender and also benefit the community. The reform of the Penal ‎Code would oblige the convicted person to face imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or ‎replace it for community service, provided that the period of community service does not exceed three ‎years months. ‎

 The Council also discussed the amendment of Federal Law No. (13) of 1976 on ‎cooperative societies, with the aim of organizing and enhancing the mechanisms of such societies and ‎activating their potential role in achieving comprehensive and sustainable development and economic ‎diversification. The amendment would include raising awareness among consumers and supporting social corporate responsibility initiatives to play an effective role in the economic and ‎social development of the UAE, and to encourage the investment of savings for the benefit of the community. ‎

 The Council also reviewed the report of the Audit Bureau on the final account for the fiscal year 2016 of ‎a number of federal entities. ‎

 The Council also discussed a number of issues related to the development of government services in a ‎number of ministries and federal entities, among other topics on its agenda. ‎