Abu Dhabi - The Formal State Structure.

Abu Dhabi has an elaborate system of government, with an Executive Council (local cabinet) focusing on the emirate's needs and an annual budget far bigger than the federal budget. Beneath the crust is a modern technocratic structure increasingly filled by young Abu Dhabian university graduates, notably including the younger full-brothers of Crown Prince and Executive Council Chairman Shaikh Muhammed bin Zayed.

The emirate has maintained some traditions, however, and the ruling family is closely associated with tribal clans through various institutions and collective decision making councils. These bodies are in the following order of importance:

The Emiri Diwan (court), of the ruler Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed, which has two main branches: one in Abu Dhabi City at the UAE Presidential Palace, being the highest seat in the union of seven emirates (the UAE), and one in al-Ain.

The Diwan of the Crown Prince, Shaikh Muhammad Bin Zayed, who is the ruler's half-brother, is the second highest office in the emirate.

The Executive Council (local cabinet), with the number of departments (ministries) reduced to seven on Dec. 8, 2004, but increased to 18 members on Dec. 19, 2006, is chaired by Shaikh Muhammad bin Zayed. One of Shaikh Khalifa's sons are on this council: Shaikh Muhammad bin Khalifa who is also a member of the SPC (see OMT). The following is the list of the Executive Council (EC) members under Muhammad bin Zayed:

Shaikh (Sh) Hamed bin Zayed, chief of the Crown Prince's Diwan, a position he took up on Dec. 19 to succeed Sh. Sultan bin Khalifa who had headed his father's court for many years before Sh. Zayed died in early November 2004.

Muhammad Ahmad al-Bawardi, EC secretary-General.
Sh. Sa'id bin Zayed, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Seaports Dept.
Khaldoun Khalifa al-Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority.
Sh. Dhiyab bin Zayed, chairman of Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA).
Sh. Tahnoun bin Zayed, member (equivalent to a minister of state).
Sh. Sultan bin Khalifa, member (minister of state).
Sh. Muhammad bin Khalifa, chairman of the Finance Dept.
Sh. Ahmad bin Saif al-Nahyan, member (minister of state).
Sh. Sultan bin Tahnoun al-Nahyan, member (minister of state).
Rashid Mubarak al-Hajri, member (minister of state).
Ju'an Salem al-Dhaheri, chairman of the Municipalities & Agricultural Dept.
Hamad al-Hurr al-Suwaidi, under-secretary of the Finance Dept.
Nasser Ahmad al-Suwaidi, chairman of the Planning & Economic Dept.
Maj Gen Sa'id Obaid al-Mazrou'i, chief of the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ.
Abdullah Rashid Khalaf al-Otaiba, chairman of the Transportation Dept.
Ahmad Mubarak al-Mazrou'i, chairman of the General Authority of Health Services.

This cabinet was formed on Dec. 18, 2006, on the recommendations of Sh. Muhammad bin Zayed who by then had become the strongman of Abu Dhabi. He and his full-brothers are in control of the most vital sectors in Abu Dhabi.

The National Consultative Council (local parliament), appointed by the ruler, consists of representatives of the main clans of Abu Dhabi.

The SPC, an autonomous body and ruler of the hydrocarbon sector (see OMT).

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), an autonomous body (see OMT).

The Municipal Council, mainly consisting of a municipality for each of Abu Dhabi and al- Ain.

The Defence Council, in charge of the military establishment under Shaikh Mohammed Bin Zayed which is still being helped by British and Pakistani officers.

The judiciary includes Egyptian judges or religious ulema. But the number of Abu Dhabians in this sphere is increasing.

The Emirates National Identity Authority (ENIA), one of the federal bodies. After a federal decree issued on Dec. 29 by Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, a board of the ENIA was formed under the chairmanship of Shaikh Mohammed Bin Zayed. The deputy chairman of this board is Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed, Mohammed's full-brother and UAE minister of interior who has the military rank of major general (see the political leadership profiles in Gas Market Trends).