Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Law No. (12) of 2026 on the Community Development Authority (CDA), replacing Law No. (8) of 2015 and consolidating the emirate’s legal framework for social services under a single updated statute.
The law broadens the CDA’s stated objectives to include regulating Dubai’s social sector, improving service delivery, protecting vulnerable groups, and promoting the financial and social empowerment of citizens.
It also tasks the authority with setting social policy and strategy, proposing relevant legislation, and overseeing the licensing of social organisations and professionals.
Among the more specific provisions, the law assigns the CDA responsibility for the care of minors, persons without legal capacity, and those with limited legal capacity. The authority must monitor their living conditions, secure appropriate care including family or institutional placement, represent them before relevant entities, and protect them from unlawful practices.
On low-income individuals, the law gives the CDA the task of defining and classifying who qualifies, using criteria approved by the Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and conducting periodic reviews in light of economic and social indicators.
The legislation also establishes two new structures inside the authority. A Social Observatory will study social phenomena across the emirate, collect and analyse data, and enable early intervention on negative trends. A unified case management system will coordinate social and humanitarian support across government entities and service providers, with local bodies required to use it and share the necessary data.
A Community Development Fund is also created under the law, with revenues directed at financial support for eligible groups, vocational training for unemployed individuals, emergency aid during crises, and partnerships with the private sector to fund community programmes.
Decisions and regulations issued under the 2015 law remain in force where they do not conflict with the new legislation, until replaced. The law takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
