The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) General Secretariat has commended the Cabinet’s decision no. 25 for 2011 to impose equal fees on UAE nationals and GCC citizens which was enforced across the UAE a few days ago.
Similarly, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Dubai’s Community Development Authority commended the Cabinet’s decision to exempt those subject to the social security law as well as those with special needs and those suffering from autism from registration and ID card issuance fees, which took effect a few days ago.
The Cabinet’s decision no. 25 stipulates that ID cards for UAE nationals and GCC citizens of all age categories will be issued and renewed for five years against a fee of AED100. The decision also stipulates that those subject to the social security law as well as individuals with special needs and those suffering from autism will be exempted from registration and ID card issuance fees, provided that an official certificate issued by the UAE Ministry of Social Affairs confirming their condition should be presented.
GCC Cohesion
H.E. Abdul Malik Saleh Al Al Sheikh, Director of Planning and Development Department, GCC General Secretariat, said: “First of all, I would like to express my deep gratitude and thanks to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may Allah protect him, and his brother His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may All save him, on the occasion of the start of enforcement of the UAE Cabinet’s decision no. 25 for 2011.”
Al Al Sheikh added: “This initiative is taken in fulfillment of the aspirations of the GCC leaders for the GCC citizens in the member countries to be treated equally. It serves the GCC brotherly relations and helps complete the stages of communication among the citizens of these countries.”\
In a press release Al Al Sheikh emphasized that: “The Cabinet’s decision proves that the UAE prudent leadership pays due attention to whatever supports the GCC cohesion and ensures GCC citizenship on the way to the sought-after integration in line with the lofty goals and noble purposes on the basis of which the GCC was established.”
Al Al Sheikh believed that the Cabinet’s decision to impose equal ID card fees on UAE nationals and GCC citizens shows that the UAE treats all GCC citizens equally and reflects the UAE keenness and endeavor to serve all GCC citizens and facilitate their movement in co-operation with its GCC sister countries.
Al Al Sheikh extended the warmest thanks and appreciation to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may Allah protect him, and his brother His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for their support of the joint GCC action with their brethren the leaders of the GCC countries.
Social Solidarity
For his part, H.E. Hussain Saeed Al Sheikh, Assistant Under-secretary for Social Care, Ministry if Social Affairs, said: “the Cabinet’s decision reflects the UAE prudent leadership’s orientations and ongoing keenness on ensuring the best possible care for the individuals with special needs and the social categories that need care.”
Al Sheikh Added: “There is endless proof that the UAE prudent leadership gives special care to those subject to the social security law as well as those with special needs and those suffering from autism. Such care has received the appreciation and support of the members of the society and the acclaim of international organizations.” He believed that this decision comes in the context of the distinguished care given by the UAE wise leadership to all categories of the society.
Al Sheikh went on to say: “this orientation is in line with the UAE Vision 2021, which underlines that the human being is the focus of growth. This orientation keeps pace with the accomplishments achieved by the UAE at all levels, particularly at the social level, as this decision reflects the humanitarian attention and social solidarity shown by our country for those who need care in the society.”
As the decision no. 25 for 2011 has taken effect, Al Sheikh expressed deep gratitude and thanks to the Cabinet, noting that the UAE prudent leadership used always to take such decisions that ensured prosperous and decent life to its citizens.
Al Sheikh also expressed the thanks of the Ministry of Social Affairs to the Board of Directors of the Emirates Identity Authority for its diligent efforts and endeavors to translate the UAE Government’s orientations and vision into reality. He believed that through this initiative, the Emirates Identity Authority underlined its keenness on and commitment to the concept of partnership and integrated roles of the different government organizations and authorities, which have a common goal of attaining the highest levels of prosperity and ensuring the security of the society.
State’s Support
Meanwhile, H.E. Khalid Al Kamda, Director General of Community Development Authority in Dubai, praised the Cabinet’s decision no. 25 and believed that the decision reflects the support of the UAE leadership and people for these fundamental social categories. The decision also reflect the UAE keenness on looking after these categories and helping them be socially rehabilitated to be an added value to the society.
Al Kamda said: “the decision to exempt those subject to the social security law and the individuals with special needs underlines the wise orientations of the prudent leadership as embodied in enacting such legislation and laws that keep pace with the requirements of these social categories as regards their rights, contributions and social duties.”
Al Kamda commended the Emirates Identity Authority’s role in and efforts for establishing an environment of security, safety and stability in the UAE. he also praised its keenness on implementing decisions and launching initiatives that are in the interest of the UAE and UAE people.
Stressing the importance of the integrated roles of all the parties concerned with serving the UAE society at the federal and local levels, Al Kamda pointed out that this issue constitutes a significant factor for the Community Development Authority as it “helps us achieve our strategic vision as embodied in empowerment, well-being and social care.”
First Step of its Kind
H.E. Dr. Eng. Ali Mohamed Al Khouri, Emirates ID Director General, believed that the Cabinet’s decision reflects the UAE prudent leadership’s belief in the necessity to surmount all the obstacles and barriers that might block the way of the GCC citizens and to provide whatever ensures their comfort, safety and stability in the UAE. he pointed out that imposing equal fees on UAE nationals and GCC citizen is the first step of its kind at the GCC level.
Al Khouri emphasized that exempting individuals with special needs as well as those suffering from autism and those subject to the social security law from the ID card issuance and renewal fees is the first of its kind in the UAE. He noted that this orientation was and still is part of the leading services provided by the UAE to these social categories, particularly that the UAE is regarded as one of the advanced countries of the world in terms of provision of social care services.
He pointed out that the exemption of these social categories from the ID card fees, which took effect on September 29, reflects the keenness of all the segments of the UAE on providing all possible facilities to those subject to the social security law and those with special needs, based on the UAE’s ongoing endeavor to protect their rights and meet their needs in the best way.
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