MOCD & CDA Sign Pact to License & Declare Non-Benefit Public Associations & NGO’s

The Ministry of Community Development (MOCD) and Dubai Community Development Authority (CDA) signed a memorandum of understanding for licensing and declaring Non-Benefit Public Associations & NGO’s, monitoring & inspection, sharing information and data related to them and for the purposes and requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The MOU comes within the procedures to promote institutional performance, contribute to the community services and enhance commitment to work integration and performance in an orderly manner. The MOU was signed by Excellency Hessa Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary of Social Development and Excellency Saeed Ahmed Al Tayer, CEO - Social Planning and Development Sector at Community Development Authority. Excellency Hessa Tahlak emphasized that the Ministry of Community Development is very keen to collaborate with all federal ministries and local government authorities, in an effort to achieve the vision of the UAE wise leadership and implement the strategic directives of the UAE government as per the action mechanisms and obligations to international reports i.e. requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to counter money laundering crimes, combat financing terrorism groups and illegal organizations related to the Non-Benefit Public Associations. Excellency Hessa Tahlak noted the importance of integrating efforts, sharing experiences and supporting strategic partnership and cooperation relations between the Ministry and the Authority to reflect the impact on the provided quality services and achieved goals, thereby raising the level of customers’ happiness, and achieving the leadership vision with a proactive approach to all plans and initiatives that support the UAE centennial vision 2071 through community development goals and achieve positive competitiveness to stimulate the aspirations of the UAE leadership in various fields. Saeed Ahmad Al Tayer, CEO - Social Planning and Development Sector in the CDA in Dubai said, that this MoU will have an important impact on the procedures of licensing and publicizing civil organizations in Dubai. The MoU will also allow harmonizing the services provided by both parties and enabling NGOs and institutions to submit their requests with ease. Al Tayer said that the cooperation and consultation in the field of legislation and policies between the two parties under this agreement will enhance the confidence of the non-profit sector and will allow CDA to develop a guiding model for NGOs and institutions that guarantees the quality of their outputs and facilitates their work within the framework of local legislation. Al Tayer stressed CDA, as the authority concerned with organizing and following up the licensing and institutions process of all civil organizations in Dubai, is keen to raise the approved standards and regulations and adopt the latest global practices that support the social sector in the country and enhance its position at the global level. Through this memorandum of understanding, both Ministry of Community Development (MOCD) and Community Development Authority (CDA) will achieve coordination and integration in the licensing and declaration of Non-Benefit Public Associations under Federal Law No. (2) of 2008 concerning Non-Benefit Public Associations, amended by the federal Decree no. (35) of Federal Law 2020, applicable local legislations on these associations and NGO’s including Law No. (12) of 2017 on the organization of civil facilities in Dubai and the Executive Council Resolution No. (26) of 2013 on charitable associations and Qur'an memorization centers in Dubai, in accordance with the mechanism agreed between the parties to integrate institutional roles. The memorandum aims for activating supervision, control and inspection on Non-Benefit Public Associations through a range of effective oversight mechanisms, enable strategic linkage and partnership between the two parties, cooperate and coordinate in legislative areas and policies related to associations, propose draft legislations aimed at supporting sustainable development plans for the emirate of Dubai and the UAE, as well as regulating the exchange of necessary information and data between the two sides. The MOU identified coordination roles between the two parties by establishing a joint committee to implement all the necessary articles of the MOU to modify the status of non-benefit public associations and NGOs, declare and license non-benefit public associations and NGOs within the geographical scope of Dubai, establish the indicative statute of non-benefit public associations and NGOs, harmonize all e-services provided by both parties to non-benefit public associations and NGOs, exchange mutual cooperation and consultation in the areas of legislations and policies that are related to non-benefit public associations and NGOs, cooperate, and coordinate the dissemination of information, data and reports about non-benefit public associations and NGOs in Dubai.