UAE Federal National Council approves donations draft law

Draft legislation on regulating donations has been approved by the UAE's Federal National Council (FNC).

The approval was granted at the fourth session of the second ordinary term of the Council's 17th legislative chapter at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

The law stipulates that donating to any individual or entity outside the country may only take place according to the procedures highlighted by the legislation's executive regulations.

Any association or entity can only be called a "charity" or "humanitarian association" upon receiving a certificate of classification, barring the organisations and authorities whose decrees, laws, or resolutions of establishment confirm that they are called a "charity" or "humanitarian association."

During the session, chaired by Saqr Ghobash, FNC Speaker, the Council highlighted the importance of organising, collecting and providing donations, as well as protecting donors’ funds, creating an attractive local environment for donations, and reinforcing the relevant coordination between federal and local authorities.

Ghobash noted that the law’s provisions will apply to any entity desiring to collect or provide donations in the country, including in free zones.

He also stressed that the legislation is being issued as part of the UAE’s overall humanitarian efforts.