Decree No. (12) of 2000
Establishing the Foundation of the
Zayed International Prize for the Environment[1]
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We, Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai,
After perusal of:
The Charter of the Foundation
of the Zayed International Prize for the Environment, dated 30 January 1999 and
attached to this Decree (the “Charter”),
Do hereby issue this Decree.
The following words and expressions will have the
meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:
|
Prize: |
The Zayed International
Prize for the Environment. |
|
Prize Patron: |
Lieutenant General, His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Defence and Crown
Prince of Dubai. |
|
Supreme Committee: |
The Supreme Committee of
the Prize. |
Pursuant to this Decree, a private foundation
named the "Foundation of the Zayed International Prize for the
Environment" (the “Foundation”) is established. The Foundation will
have legal personality and full capacity to act in accordance with its
objectives and the provisions of this Decree.
The permanent head office of the Foundation will
be located in the city of Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
The objective of the Prize is: to recognise and
acknowledge the outstanding contributions of individuals, groups of
individuals, and entities, such as foundations, organisations, associations, federations, or other similar entities,
which aim to achieve sustainable utilisation of resources and improvement of
the environment, thus ensuring sustainable development, in line with the
environmental and development vision of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al
Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates; and with the goals and
objectives of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
aiming at protecting and improving the environment to meet the needs of present
generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.
The main areas of the Prize include the following:
1.
management
of fragile ecosystems, such as combating desertification and drought, and
increasing green spaces;
2.
conservation
of the quality and supplies of freshwater resources and application of
integrated approaches to develop, manage, and utilise water resources;
3.
preservation
of biological diversity, and conservation and development of wildlife;
4.
conservation
of marine environment and development of its biological resources, and
integrated management of coastal areas;
5.
promoting
sustainable agricultural and rural development, and continued development of the
areas of nomads;
6.
promoting
sustainable development of the industry and energy sectors, and controlling
pollution resulting from their activities;
7.
transferring
and introducing environmentally sound technologies into production and
resources utilisation processes;
8.
protection
and enhancement of human health conditions;
9.
promoting
and raising awareness of environmental education and community participation;
10. promoting international cooperation for the
purpose of building environmental capacity in sustainable development;
11. women, the environment, and development; and
12. environmental security issues.
The capital of the Foundation consists of the
grant provided by the Prize Patron in the amount of fifteen million US dollars
(US$ 15,000,000.00), and the grants and gifts acceptable to the Prize Patron.
The Foundation will be managed in accordance with
this Decree, the Charter, and the bylaws issued in pursuance thereof.
The Foundation will be managed by a Supreme
Committee comprised of not less than nine (9) and not more than fifteen (15)
members known for their competence and integrity. The Supreme Committee will be
formed pursuant to a resolution of the Prize Patron in which he will name the
chairman, vice chairman, secretary, and treasurer; and will determine the term
of membership.
The Supreme Committee will establish a centre for
environmental studies and research, and a centre for environmental information.
These centres will be supervised by the Supreme Committee. The implementing
bylaw of this Decree will determine their terms of reference, functional
structures, and areas of work.
The Supreme Committee will have jurisdiction to:
1.
develop
the bylaws regulating the work of the Supreme Committee and submit the same to
the Prize Patron for approval;
2.
propose
the annual draft budget of the Foundation and submit the same to the Prize Patron
for approval;
3.
establish
the general and special eligibility Criteria for nomination for the Prize and
for selecting winners; and consult on the same, where required, with the
competent bodies of the United Nations Organisation, with the Technical Advisory
Committee, and with the International Jury;
4.
form
the Technical Advisory Committee;
5.
form
the International Jury;
6.
establish
the General Secretariat of the Prize;
7.
issue
the bylaws regulating the work of the Technical Advisory Committee and the International
Jury, and determining their term of membership, functions, and terms of
reference;
8.
issue
the bylaws regulating the work of the General Secretariat of the Prize and
determining the organisational structure of the General Secretariat, job
descriptions, and terms of reference;
9.
issue
the bylaws related to the bonuses and remuneration of members of the Technical Advisory
Committee and the International Jury, and to the salaries and bonuses of the General
Secretariat’s employees;
10. issue the implementing bylaws of the environmental
studies and research centre, and the environmental information centre;
11. nominate the individuals, groups of individuals,
and entities, such as foundations, organisations, associations, or other
similar entities to be awarded the Prize based on the recommendations of the International
Jury;
12. exercise any other functions delegated to the
Supreme Committee under the Charter; and
13. perform any other duties assigned to the Supreme
Committee by the Prize Patron.
Nomination for the Prize is open to individuals,
groups of individuals, and entities, such as governmental and non-governmental foundations,
organisations, institutes, unions, associations, agencies, and departments.
Nomination, grant, and awarding the Prize will be subject to the rules
prescribed in the Charter and the bylaws issued in pursuance thereof, and this
Decree.
The Prize will be granted once every two (2) years
by the Prize Patron on the occasion of the UAE National Environment Day.
Subject to approval of the Prize Patron, a bank
account in the name of “Zayed International Prize for the Environment” will be
opened in one of the national banks. Transactions in this account will be
conducted using an accounting system developed by a competent entity and
approved by the Supreme Committee and the Prize Patron.
The expenditure and amount of the Prize may not
exceed the revenues collected in the said account within the period of two (2)
years.
The Prize will be announced through its
registration with the Department of Economic Development, and it will commence
the conduct of its business as of the date of that registration.
The Prize will, every two (2) years, provide His
Highness the Ruler’s Court with the names of members of the Supreme Committee;
and a copy of its annual report and financial statements attested by a
certified auditor.
Where the property of the Foundation is used for
any purpose that contradicts its objectives, or where acts of gross
mismanagement of the Prize are committed, in violation of this Decree, the Prize
Patron may issue a resolution removing the Supreme Committee and appointing a new
Supreme Committee to replace it.
The Foundation will be dissolved and liquidated if
it becomes unable to conduct its business or achieve its objectives due to
insufficiency of its capital or failure to generate returns on its capital,
which prevents it from achieving its objectives.
The Prize will be exempt from all taxes and all
government, municipal, and customs fees and duties.
The Prize Patron may amend the Charter as he deems
appropriate for the achievement of the objectives of the Prize.
This Decree comes into force on the day on which
it is issued, and will be published in the Official Gazette.
Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Ruler of Dubai
Issued in Dubai on 1 May
2000
Corresponding to 28 Muharram 1421 A.H.
©2021 The Supreme Legislation Committee in the
Emirate of Dubai
[1]Every effort
has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this
legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application,
reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the
Arabic text will prevail.