Law No. (22) of 2023

Concerning the Dubai Digital Authority[1]

ـــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــ

We, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai,

After perusal of:

Law No. (3) of 2003 Establishing the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai;

Law No. (8) of 2013 Concerning Human Resource Management of Directors General in the Government of Dubai and its amendments;

Law No. (26) of 2015 Regulating Data Dissemination and Exchange in the Emirate of Dubai;

Law No. (1) of 2016 Concerning the Financial Regulations of the Government of Dubai, its Implementing Bylaw, and their amendments;

Law No. (13) of 2016 Concerning the Judicial Authorities in the Emirate of Dubai and its amendments;

Law No. (1) of 2021 Establishing the Dubai Digital Authority;

Law No. (5) of 2021 Concerning the Dubai International Financial Centre;

Law No. (9) of 2022 Regulating the Provision of Digital Services in the Emirate of Dubai;

Law No. (23) of 2023 Concerning the Digital Dubai Government Establishment;

Law No. (24) of 2023 Establishing the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment;

Decree No. (22) of 2009 Concerning Special Development Zones in the Emirate of Dubai; and

The legislation establishing and regulating free zones in the Emirate of Dubai,

Do hereby issue this Law.

©2023 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.

Title of the Law

Article (1)

This Law will be cited as “Law No. (22) of 2023 Concerning the Dubai Digital Authority”.

Definitions

Article (2)

The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Law, will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:

Scope of Application

Article (3)

The provisions of this Law apply to the Dubai Digital Authority established pursuant the above-mentioned Law No. (1) of 2021 as a public authority having legal personality and the legal capacity required to achieve its objectives and perform its functions under this Law, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate. The DDA is hereby affiliated to the Crown Prince.

Head Office of the DDA

Article (4)

The head office of the DDA will be located in the Emirate. Other branches of the DDA may be established within the Emirate pursuant to a resolution of the Director General.

Objectives of the DDA

Article (5)

The DDA aims to:

1. promote the Emirate as a digital city and establish its leadership and global competitiveness;
2. contribute to enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of Government performance through enabling Government Entities, Judicial Authorities, and Private Entities in the Emirate to automate their work and activities and to provide their services through Digital Channels;
3. contribute to enhancing the quality of life and achieving the welfare of all members and segments of the community through digitising various aspects of life in the Emirate;
4. support decision makers in devising strategies, development policies, and plans and in measuring the strategic performance of Digital Transformation through providing the necessary Data and Statistics; and
5. support the Government’s efforts in achieving comprehensive development in the Emirate through providing digital systems, Digital Platforms, and shared Digital Channels; and facilitating the exchange of information and Data amongst Government Entities, Judicial Authorities, and Private Entities.

Functions of the DDA

Article (6)

1. The DDA is the competent official entity in the Emirate that is exclusively authorised to represent the Government and Government Entities before federal and local entities in the UAE, and regional and international organisations, in respect of all matters related to devising, approving, and administering the plans, policies, and strategies related to information technology, Data, Statistics, and Digital Transformation.
2. Without prejudice to the functions legally assigned to Affiliated Entities, the DDA will, for the purposes of achieving its objectives, have the duties and powers to:

1. formulate, in coordination with the Competent Entities, the strategies and initiatives required to enhance Digital Transformation in the Emirate; submit the same to the Executive Council for approval; and follow up their implementation;
2. approve, and follow up the implementation of, the operational and implementation plans for the strategies, policies, programmes, and initiatives required enhance Digital Transformation;
3. approve and administer performance indicators for the implementation of Digital Transformation strategies, policies, plans, initiatives, and projects in fields pertaining to information technology, Data, Statistics, and Digital Transformation; and submit the relevant reports to the Competent Entities in the Emirate;
4. follow up and assess compliance with the legislation, regulations, policies, standards, and manuals adopted at the Emirate’s level in fields related to the work of the DDA and Affiliated Entities by conducting evaluation, audit, and control; giving feedback, and taking corrective measures;
5. propose new legislation, and review the existing legislation, pertaining to information technology, Data, Statistics, and Digital Transformation; and submit the same to the Competent Entities in the Emirate to take the necessary action in respect thereof;
6. approve and administer, in coordination with the Competent Entities, the policies, regulations, standards, and manuals in the fields related to information technology, Data, Statistics, and Digital Transformation at the Emirate’s level;
7. enhance compliance with the legislation, regulations, policies, standards, and manuals pertaining to Digital Transformation in the Emirate; prepare the relevant reports; and submit the same to the Crown Prince to issue the relevant directives as he deems appropriate;
8. approve, in coordination with the Competent Entities, the plans, budgets, initiatives, and projects pertaining to information technology, Data, Statistics, and Digital Transformation;
9. support the Government’s efforts in ensuring optimum use of technical resources with a view to supporting Digital Transformation in the Emirate;
10. provide opinion, in coordination with the Competent Entities in the Emirate, on the draft local and federal legislation and international treaties and conventions pertaining to any areas within the scope of functions of the DDA or the Affiliated Entities;
11. encourage Government Entities, Judicial Authorities, and Private Entities to engage in the Digital Transformation process; improve their digital maturity; and propose the relevant incentive programmes;
12. develop, qualify, and attract skilled human resources and talents in digital fields, in coordination with the Competent Entities;
13. boost digital economy, identify gaps in the digital infrastructure supporting that economy and the digital skills available in the Emirate; and address the gaps in coordination with the Competent Entities;
14. support the Emirate’s efforts in attracting, developing, enabling, and supporting information technology and telecommunications companies, in coordination with the Competent Entities;
15. conduct the studies and research, and keep abreast of the best practices and methodologies, related to Digital Transformation;
16. conclude agreements and memoranda of understanding, and enter into partnerships, with local, regional, and international institutions with a view to supporting Digital Transformation;
17. cooperate and coordinate with all federal and local entities concerned with enhancing Digital Transformation; and
18. exercise any other duties or powers required for the achievement of the objectives of the DDA, as assigned to it by the Ruler or the Crown Prince.

Affiliated Entities:

Article (7)

1. The following entities are hereby affiliated to the DDA:

1. the Digital Dubai Government Establishment;
2. the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment; and
3. any other entity to be affiliated to the DDA by the Ruler.

2. Affiliated Entities will retain the legal personality granted to them under the legislation establishing or regulating them; and will exercise the duties and powers assigned to them by law under the supervision of the DDA.

Executive Body of the DDA

Article (8)

1. The executive body of the DDA will be comprised of the Director General and a number of administrative, finance, and technical Employees.
2. The Employees of the DDA and Affiliated Entities will continue to be governed by the human resources legislation in force on the effective date of this Law until the issuance of a new human resources regulation prepared by the DDA, in coordination with the Competent Entities in the Emirate, and approved by the Crown Prince.

Director General

Article (9)

1. A Director General will be appointed to the DDA pursuant to a decree of the Ruler.
2. The employment rights of the Director General will be determined in accordance with the above-mentioned Law No. (8) of 2013 and the resolutions issued in pursuance thereof.

Functions of the Director General

Article (10)

1. The Director General will supervise the work and activities of the DDA and Affiliated Entities and will manage the affairs of the DDA.  The Director General will be directly responsible to the Crown Prince for performing the duties assigned to him under this Law, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate. In particular, the Director General will have the duties and powers to:

1. prepare, in consultation with the Competent Entities in the Emirate, the strategic plans and general policies of the DDA; present the same to the Crown Prince for approval; and follow up their implementation;
2. approve, and follow up the implementation of, the strategic plans and general policies of the Affiliated Entities;
3. approve, and follow up the implementation of, the initiatives, programmes, and projects of the DDA and Affiliated Entities;
4. approve the draft annual budgets of the DDA and Affiliated Entities, and submit the same to the Competent Entities in the Emirate for final approval;
5. approve the Financial Statements of the DAA and Affiliated Entities, and submit the same to the Competent Entities in the Emirate for final approval;
6. submit periodic reports to the Crown Prince on the implementation of Digital Transformation strategic plans;
7. approve the organisational structures of the DDA and Affiliated Entities, and submit the same to the Competent Entities for final approval;
8. approve the bylaws and resolutions regulating the administrative, financial, and technical work of the DDA and Affiliated Entities;
9. represent the DDA and Affiliated Entities before third parties;
10. conclude the contracts, agreements, and memoranda of understanding to which the DDA or any of the Affiliated Entities is a party, in accordance with the delegation of authority matrix adopted in this respect;
11. approve the delegation of contracting authority matrix of the DDA and Affiliated Entities;
12. form permanent or temporary committees and work teams, from amongst the Employees of the DDA and Affiliated Entities or other persons; and determine the functions of these committees and work teams;
13. approve the fees and charges for the services provided by the DDA and Affiliated Entities, and submit the same to the Competent Entities in the Emirate for final approval pursuant to the legislation in force;
14. evaluating the performance of the executive directors/ chief executive officers of the Affiliated Entities;
15. supervise the executive body of the DDA and issue the resolutions governing human resources and appointment of Employees, in accordance with the regulations adopted by the DDA and the legislation in force in the Emirate; and
16. exercise any other duties or powers vested in the Director General under the legislation in force in the Emirate, or assigned to him by the Ruler or the Crown Prince.

2. The Director General may delegate any of his duties and powers under paragraph (a) of this Article to any of the executive directors/chief executive officers, or other Employees, of the DDA or Affiliated Entities, provided that such delegation is specific and in writing.

Financial Resources of the DDA

Article (11)

The financial resources of the DAA will consist of:

1. the financial appropriations allocated to the DDA in the General Budget of the Government;
2. the fees and charges collected by the DDA in return for the services it provides; and
3. any other resources approved by the Crown Prince.

Consolidated Budget

Article (12)

1. The DDA and Affiliated Entities will have an annual consolidated budget. This budget will be prepared based on the detailed budgets of the DDA and each of the Affiliated Entities.
2. The consolidated budget will be implemented by the DDA, which will provide financial and administrative support to the Affiliated Entities.

Accounts and Financial Year of the DDA

Article (13)

1. In managing its accounts and records, the DAA will apply the rules and principles of government accounting.
2. The Financial Year of the DDA will commence on 1 January and will end on 31 December of each Year.

Cooperation with the DDA and Affiliated Entities

Article (14)

1. Government Entities, Judicial Authorities, and Vital Private Sector Entities must fully cooperate with the DDA and Affiliated Entities; meet their requirements; and provide them with the Data, information, documents, Statistics, and studies they request, as required to enable them to achieve their objectives and perform their functions under this Law, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate.
2. Where required, the DDA may prepare a detailed report on the level of cooperation and compliance by the Government Entities, Judicial Authorities, and Vital Private Sector Entities in satisfying the relevant requirements and conditions prescribed by the DDA and Affiliated Entities. The DDA will submit that report to the Crown Prince to issue the relevant directives as he deems appropriate.

Issuing Implementing Resolutions

Article (15)

With the exception of the resolutions which the Crown Prince or his authorised representative is exclusively authorised to issue under this Law, the Director General will issue the resolutions required for implementing the provisions of this Law.

Repeals

Article (16)

1. The above-mentioned Law No. (1) of 2021 is hereby repealed. Any provision in any other legislation is also hereby repealed to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Law.
2. The legislation issued in implementation of the above-mentioned Law No. (1) of 2021 will continue in force, to the extent that they do not contradict this Law and other legislation in force in the Emirate, until new superseding legislation is issued.

Commencement and Publication

Article (17)

This Law comes into force on the day on which it is issued, and will be published in the Official Gazette.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Ruler of Dubai

Issued in Dubai on 21 November 2023

Corresponding to 7 Jumada al-Ula 1445 A.H.