Supreme Council

United Arab Emirates government body

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July 14, 2026

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The Supreme Council is the highest governmental authority in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is a federation composed of the rulers of the seven emirates that make up the UAE. This council holds the ultimate power within the UAE's governmental structure.1

The president and vice president of the UAE are elected by the Supreme Council from among its members for five-year terms. The president then appoints the prime minister and cabinet. The UAE's form of government is a federation, with the Federal National Council serving as an advisory body. A provisional constitution was ratified in 1971 and made permanent in 1996 by the Supreme Council.12

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United Arab Emirates
Constitutional framework
…highest governmental authority is the Federal Supreme Council, which is composed of the quasi-hereditary rulers of the seven emirates. The president and vice president of the federation are elected for five-year terms by the Supreme Council from among its members. The president appoints a prime minister and a cabinet. The…
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…highest governmental authority is the Federal Supreme Council, which is composed of the quasi-hereditary rulers of the seven emirates. The president and vice president of the federation are elected for five-year terms by the Supreme Council from among its members. The president appoints a prime minister and a cabinet. The…
Read More