Sheikh Mansour names Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed chairman of newly established authority.
Abu Dhabi: Acting on the directives of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, has issued a resolution to establish the Community-Managed Virtual Authority under the Presidential Court.
In a separate resolution, Sheikh Mansour appointed Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as Chairman of the newly established Community-Managed Virtual Authority.
How the new authority will function
The newly established Community-Managed Virtual Authority will operate under a flexible and unconventional governance structure that encourages public participation in administrative and decision-making processes.
According to the resolution, qualified and experienced community members will be periodically entrusted with executive management responsibilities, allowing individuals from different backgrounds to contribute their expertise.
These appointments will follow specific guidelines and standards approved by the Authority’s Chairman to ensure operational efficiency, continuity and the achievement of its objectives.
The Authority will align its activities with the UAE’s national priorities and approved government strategies while adopting an innovative and experimental approach to its operations.
Its main objective is to encourage community members to participate in designing and implementing initiatives, solutions and projects that deliver long-term benefits to the nation and society.
The resolution further highlights the Authority’s role in empowering individuals to contribute directly to national development by using their knowledge, skills and experience to address challenges and create innovative solutions.
Through this collaborative governance model, the UAE aims to make greater use of community talent and expertise, strengthen public involvement in national initiatives and support sustainable development and economic growth.
Opportunities for youth, professionals and retirees
The Community-Managed Virtual Authority will focus on encouraging people from different backgrounds to contribute their knowledge, skills and experience to national development initiatives.
Under the resolution, the Authority will develop policies and strategies to increase community involvement in designing innovative solutions and implementing projects and programmes that support the UAE’s development goals.
It will seek to attract and engage national talent, including young people, working professionals, academics, entrepreneurs and retirees, allowing them to apply their expertise in initiatives that benefit the country.
The Authority will also establish a sustainable framework through which community members can submit ideas, proposals and practical solutions to support development efforts.
Another key responsibility will be preserving the knowledge and experience gained through its activities. This includes documenting successful practices and ensuring that valuable expertise is passed on to future teams, maintaining institutional knowledge and operational continuity.
Key principles shaping the Authority’s operations
The resolution outlines six guiding principles intended to shape the Community-Managed Virtual Authority’s governance structure, activities and long-term objectives.
1. Inspired by Sheikh Zayed’s vision
The Authority will draw inspiration from the leadership philosophy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who emphasised empowering individuals, recognising their abilities and encouraging active participation in nation-building.
This principle focuses on placing trust in capable individuals, assigning them meaningful responsibilities and providing opportunities to contribute through leadership and initiative.
2. Participatory governance
The Authority will introduce a collaborative governance model that enables community members to participate directly in managing government-related activities.
The approach aims to strengthen cooperation between government institutions and society, making public participation a regular and sustainable part of institutional operations.
3. Empowering community talent
The Authority will provide opportunities for skilled and talented individuals to contribute their expertise, explore new ideas and develop innovative solutions that address national priorities and community needs.
It seeks to transform individual capabilities into practical initiatives that deliver measurable benefits to society.
4. Flexibility and innovation
The Authority will adopt adaptable working methods that encourage experimentation, continuous improvement and the development of new approaches.
By moving beyond conventional administrative structures, it aims to respond more effectively to emerging challenges and improve the quality of its projects and outcomes.
5. Sustainability and continuity
The Authority will prioritise the long-term sustainability of its initiatives through clear governance procedures and effective knowledge-sharing mechanisms.
These measures will help preserve institutional expertise, ensure continuity between successive management teams and maintain the effectiveness of its programmes over time.
6. National impact
The sixth guiding principle focuses on delivering meaningful and lasting benefits to the UAE and its communities.
The Authority will prioritise projects and initiatives that support national development objectives, address societal needs and contribute to improving the quality of life across the country.
Through this approach, it aims to ensure that community participation produces practical, measurable and sustainable outcomes aligned with the UAE’s long-term priorities.
Chairman’s responsibilities and management structure
Under the resolution, the Chairman of the Community-Managed Virtual Authority will be appointed through a decision issued by the Chairman of the Presidential Court.
The appointed Chairman will oversee the Authority’s overall operations, ensuring that its activities achieve their intended objectives and remain consistent with the UAE’s national policies and strategic priorities.
The Chairman will also be responsible for approving the Authority’s general policies and strategies before submitting them to the Chairman of the Presidential Court for final endorsement.
Additional responsibilities include approving development and implementation plans for projects and programmes, supervising their progress and issuing internal regulations governing financial and administrative matters.
The Authority’s annual budget and final financial accounts will also be submitted to the Chairman of the Presidential Court for approval.
Community-led management through rotating teams
The resolution introduces a distinctive management structure in which qualified community members will take part in running the Authority through periodic operational cycles.
Under this model, a community-based management team, comprising a Director-General and supporting teams selected from society, will oversee the Authority’s activities during designated periods.
For each operational cycle, a Director-General will be chosen from among experienced and suitably qualified community members.
The selected individual will assume executive responsibilities for managing the Authority during the assigned period, supported by teams drawn from the wider community.
This rotating management approach is intended to encourage broader public participation, bring diverse expertise into government-related initiatives and create opportunities for capable individuals to contribute directly to national development.
