The United Arab Emirates is a constitutional federation of seven emirates:
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ra's al-Khaimah and Fujairah.

The federation was formally established on 2 December 1971.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was elected as President on 3 November 2004, following the death of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who held the post from the foundation of the State on 2 December 1971 until his death on 2 November 2004. The Supreme Council meets at five-year intervals to reaffirm the existing President or elect a new one.

The term of elected office for the Vice-President is also five years, and the post is presently held by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who was elected following the death of his brother, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in early 2006.

The federal system of government includes:

The Supreme Council, made up of the rulers of each emirate, is the top policy-making body in the state. If a ruler cannot attend Supreme Council meetings he may delegate his Crown Prince to take his seat. Crown Princes and deputy rulers attending meetings when their ruler is present have no formal role in the Council.

The Council of Ministers or Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister, is the executive authority for the federation.

The 40-member Federal National Council has both a legislative and supervisory role. Introduction of indirect elections in December 2006 and the participation of 9 women in the parliament is intended to be the first phase of a process designed to enhance public participation and the role played by the FNC in government. Other steps include a strengthening of the legislative and legal powers of the FNC and the development of more effective and more viable channels of coordination between the FNC and the executive authorities, such as the Cabinet.

The Federal Judiciary, whose independence is guaranteed by the Constitution, includes the Supreme Court and the Courts of First Instance.

Each of the seven emirates has its own local government the complexity of which differs according to the size and population of each emirate. Each follows a general pattern of municipalities and departments.

The relationship between the Federal and Local Governments is laid down in the Constitution, and allows for a degree of flexibility in the distribution of authority.

Traditional Government still plays an important part in the government of the UAE, with the institution of the majlis (or majalis) maintaining a role in ensuring that the people have free access to their rulers.

Foreign Policy, the remit of the UAE Federal Government, is derived from a set of guiding principles, amongst which are a deep belief in the need for justice in international dealings between states, including the necessity of adhering to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of others and the pursuit, whenever possible, of peaceful resolution of disputes, together with support for international institutions, such as the United Nations.

Disaster and development aid is an important part of UAE foreign policy, through organisations such as the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, The Zayed Foundation, Red Crescent Society.

List of UAE government Ministries

Supreme Council Members
HH President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi
HH Vice-President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai
HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah
HH Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ra's al-Khaimah
HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah
HH Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain
HH Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman

Crown Princes

Deputies of the Rulers

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Industry
HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah
HH Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of RaÕs al-Khaimah
HH Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Ra's al-Khaimah
HH Sheikh Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Deputy Ruler of Fujairah

The Federal Supreme Council has both legislative and executive powers. It ratifies federal laws and decrees, plans general policy, approves the nomination of the Prime Minister and accepts his resignation. It also relieves him of his post on the recommendation of the President.

The Council of Ministers or Cabinet, described in the Constitution as 'the executive authority' for the Federation, includes the usual complement of ministerial portfolios and is headed by a Prime Minister, chosen by the President in consultation with his colleagues on the Supreme Council. The Prime Minister, currently the Vice-President (although this has not always been the case), then selects the ministers, who may be drawn from any of the Federation's component emirates, although, naturally, the more populous emirates have generally provided more members of each Cabinet.

A 24-member Cabinet was appointed on 11 February 2006, according to the proposal of Vice President HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who had been requested to form a new Government following his accession as Ruler of Dubai and election as Vice-President the previous month. This Cabinet was reshuffled on 17 February 2008 to include a new portfolio for foreign trade and the realignment of several ministries of state.

Members of the Cabinet

Prime Minister and Minister of Defence: Vice President HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Deputy Prime Minister: HH Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Deputy Prime Minister: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Minister of Finance: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Minister of Interior: HH Lt Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Minister of Presidential Affairs: HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Minister of Foreign Affairs: HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
Minister of Public Works: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
Minister of Foreign Trade: Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi
Minister of Cabinet Affairs: Mohammed Abdullah Al Gargawi
Minister of Energy: Mohammed bin Dha'en Al Hamili
Minister of Economy: Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri
Minister of Social Affairs: Mariam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi
Minister of Education: Dr Hanif Hassan Ali
Minister of Health: Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qattami
Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development: Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais
Minister of Justice: Dr Hadef bin Jua'an Al Dhaheri
Minister of Environment and Water: Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad
Minister of Labour: Saqr Ghobash Saeed Ghobash
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs: Dr Mohammed Anwar Gargash
Minister of State for Financial Affairs: Obaid Humaid Al Tayer
Minister of State: Dr Maitha Salem Al Shamsi
Minister of State: Dr Khalifa Bakheet Al Falasi
Minister of State: Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi