UAE establishes new authority allowing community members to help manage government work

Abu Dhabi - President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued a resolution creating the Community-Managed Virtual Authority, a new body to engage community members in managing government work. Inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's vision of empowering people and involving them in nation-building, the Authority will operate on a flexible model that relies on community participation and periodic delegation of executive responsibilities to capable individuals.

The Authority, led by Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan as its Chairman, will work in alignment with national priorities and approved strategies while fostering innovation and experimentation. Its primary goal is to empower community members aged 16 and over, including youth, professionals, academics, entrepreneurs, and retirees, to create solutions and launch national projects for sustainable development and growth.

The Authority will develop general policies and strategies to attract and invest in national talent, and maintain a system that facilitates the submission of solutions and proposals from community members. It will also document knowledge and expertise generated through its work, ensuring its transfer to subsequent teams to preserve institutional memory.

The Authority's six guiding principles include the Founding Father's vision, participatory governance, community empowerment, flexibility and experimentation, sustainability and continuity, and national impact. The Chairman is responsible for overseeing the Authority's activities, approving general policies and strategies, and monitoring the execution of initiatives and programmes.