Gulf News, 1 June 2026: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Dubai Law No. 12/2026 concerning the Community Development Authority (CDA), redefining its role in regulating and developing Dubai’s social sector to enhance sustainable community development.
The law sets out the CDA’s objectives, including organising service delivery, protecting and integrating vulnerable groups, and promoting social and financial empowerment of citizens. It also seeks to strengthen social cohesion and encourage community participation and responsibility.
The CDA is tasked with setting social policies and strategies, proposing legislation, and overseeing licensing and regulation of social organisations and professionals. Its responsibilities extend to organising volunteer work, ensuring access to social services, and developing integrated protection systems for vulnerable groups, particularly children and people of determination.
The law governs the care of minors, persons without legal capacity, and those with limited legal capacity, requiring the CDA to provide social services, monitor living conditions, and ensure welfare. It also mandates representation before relevant entities and protection from unlawful practices.
For low‑income individuals, the CDA is responsible for defining and classifying eligibility criteria, conducting periodic reviews, and submitting recommendations to the Executive Council of Dubai.
The law establishes a Social Observatory within the CDA to study social phenomena, collect and analyse data, and anticipate trends for early intervention. It also creates a unified system to manage social and humanitarian cases across the emirate, ensuring integrated support and coordination among government entities.
Additionally, a Community Development Fund is established to provide financial support to eligible groups, fund social projects, and deliver assistance during crises. The Fund will also support vocational training programmes, improve living standards, and encourage private sector partnerships in community development.
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