UAE Capital Market Authority Law — articles 1–31

We, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, − Having reviewed the Constitution; − Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 Regarding the Competences of Ministries and the Powers of Ministers, as amended; −…

For the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Decree by Law, the following terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context otherwise requires: State: The United Arab Em…

1. The Capital Market Authority shall be a federal public authority enjoying legal personality, financial and administrative independence, full legal capacity, and executive and supervisory powers to carry out its functi…

The headquarters of the Authority shall be located in the capital of the State. Branches, offices, or affiliated entities may be established within the State pursuant to a resolution issued by the Board.

The Authority shall pursue the following objectives: 1. Ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the Capital Market; 2. Regulating and developing the Capital Market; 3. Achieving the State’s objectives for the Capital Ma…

1. In pursuit of its objectives and in accordance with the provisions of this Decree by Law and the Relevant Legislation, the Authority shall exercise the following competencies: a. To verify the compliance of persons su…

1. The Authority shall have a Board of Directors formed by a resolution of the Cabinet, provided that the number of its members shall not be fewer than seven (7) members, including the Chairman of the Board, for a term o…

1. The Chairman and Members of the Board shall, fulfil the following conditions: a. To possess experience in economic, financial, or banking affairs, or in Capital Markets. b. Not to have been declared bankrupt or insolv…

The Board shall be the supreme authority of the Authority and shall oversee the conduct of its affairs, and, for that purpose, shall exercise the following: 1. To approve the policies, strategies, and legislation relatin…

1. The Chairman of the Board may request approval of their resignation by submitting a written request to the Cabinet. 2. A Member of the Board may request approval of their resignation by submitting a written request to…

1. Membership of the Board shall terminate upon expiration of its term without renewal, upon death, or upon resignation. Moreover, membership may be terminated by a resolution of the Cabinet in any of the following cases…

The Board shall propose a system regarding the remuneration and financial benefits of the Chairman and Members of the Board, Committees, and Advisory Boards, and a decision thereon shall be issued by the Cabinet.

1. The Board shall hold at least six (6) meetings per year, upon an invitation of the Chairman of the Board. 2. The Chairman of the Board may convene the Board whenever deemed necessary. 3. The Chairman of the Board shal…

1. A Board meeting shall be valid only if attended by more than half of its Members, including the Chairman of the Board or their Deputy. 2. Decisions of the Board shall be issued by a majority of votes of the members pr…

1. The Board may delegate certain powers conferred thereupon under this Decree by Law and the Capital Market Regulation Law to the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), any committee formed thereby, or any suitabl…

The Authority shall have a Chief Executive Officer with the rank of an Undersecretary, whose appointment shall be made by a Federal Decree upon the recommendation of the Board. The CEO shall undertake the following dutie…

The Authority shall have a qualified Executive Management vested with the powers necessary to achieve the objectives and exercise the competences of the Authority, in accordance with the provisions of this Decree by Law,…

The Executive Management shall: 1. Implement the professional standards adopted by the Authority. 2. Comply with the decisions issued by the Authority in relation to the regulation of their dealings in Securities and For…

1. The Chairman of the Board, Board members, and any members of committees or advisory boards established under this Decree by Law are prohibited from disclosing any information whose publication is prohibited, unless su…

1. The Authority and its employees shall maintain the confidentiality of all data and information received from any Person in relation to the competences of the Authority. 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Clause (4) …

1. The Chairman of the Board and the Members thereof shall: a. Disclose in writing to the Authority, prior to assuming their duties, any Securities and Foreign Securities owned thereby and by their minor children under t…

1. The Authority, the Chairman and members of the Board, the CEO, committees established by the Board, whether emanating therefrom or external thereto, the Executive Management, and their legally authorized representativ…

1. The Authority shall have a special independent budget, subject to the approval of the Board, which shall be submitted to the Ministry of Finance. The detailed revenues and expenditures of the Authority shall be set fo…

1. The funds of the Authority shall be deemed public funds. 2. The Authority shall enjoy all facilities, privileges, and exemptions granted to governmental entities in the State. 3. The Authority may establish a general …

The revenues of the Authority shall consist of all amounts accruing thereto in accordance with the provisions of this Decree by Law, the Capital Market Regulation Law, and the Relevant Legislation, including, in particul…

1. The accounts of the Authority shall be audited by one or more external auditors, appointed periodically by the Board, which shall also determine their annual remuneration. 2. The Authority shall submit its financial s…

1. The Authority shall have its own legislation governing the administrative, financial, contractual, procurement, and human resources affairs. 2. The Authority shall have its own organizational structure, as well as its…

1. The Authority shall be subject to the oversight of the UAE Accountability Authority, in accordance with Federal Decree by Law No. (56) of 2023 concerning the UAE Accountability Authority, or any law replacing the same…

1. The Cabinet may, based on a proposal submitted by the Board, delegate any of the powers of the Authority stipulated in this Decree by Law and the Capital Market Regulation Law to any federal or local governmental enti…

1. Federal Law No. (4) of 2000 Regarding the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority and Market is hereby repealed. 2. Any provision contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Decree by Law is hereby r…

This Decree by Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force on 1 January 2026.