For the purposes of implementing the provisions of this Resolution, the following terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise:

State: United Arab Emirates.

Ministry: Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

University: United Arab Emirates University.

Centre: Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.

Minister: Minister of Presidential Affairs.

Board or Board of Directors: Board of Directors of the Center.

Director: Director of the Center.

Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology is a scientific and research institution with legal personality, as well as financial and administrative independence, essential for achieving its objectives. The Center is affiliated with the Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The main headquarters of the Center shall be in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and branches may be established thereto, within or outside the State, by a resolution of the Minister.

The Center aims at achieving the following:

1. Conducting essential research to address global challenges in the field of food security and to practice sustainable agricultural.

2. Producing, modifying, and developing plants and other organisms with high-value agricultural and economic traits.

3. Contributing to food security through research platforms focused on genomics, bioinformatics, and genetic modification of organisms, aiming to develop plant and animal products with desirable characteristics and increase the economic value of crops in the State.

4. Encouraging and promoting scientific discoveries to improve crops and agricultural practices in response to environmental stressors.

5. Raising community awareness in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering and providing studies and consultancy to relevant entities.

6. Investing in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering.

The Center shall exercise the competences necessary to achieve its objectives, and for this purpose, it shall:

1. Develop and implement research programs, independently or in cooperation with research and scientific entities within or outside the State, in accordance with rules issued by a Resolution of the Minister.

2. Conduct applied studies and research, and implement activities related to the Center’s fields of work, in accordance with regulations issued by a resolution of the Minister.

3. Provide expert services and scientific consultations to government entities and the private sector in relation to the Center’s fields of work.

4. Publish the results of research related to the Center’s fields of work, in accordance with the controls established by a resolution of the Minister.

5. Assist university students and research personnel in preparing studies and research within the Center’s fields of work.

6. Submit proposals related to the development of legislation concerning the Center’s fields of work to the Minister.

7. Establish, participate in, or contribute to companies upon the approval of the Minister. The articles of association of these companies may include a special system for incentivizing their managers and employees.

8. Contribute to national efforts to stimulate science, research, and scientific and technological activities in the fields of biotechnology and genetic engineering.

9. Strengthen scientific ties and cooperation with scientific authorities, journals, and national and international institutions across in all fields of specialization in which the Center is engaged.

10. Participate in international conferences and exhibitions related to these fields, in accordance with the regulations in force at the Center.

11. Any other tasks assigned to the Center by a resolution issued by the Minister.

The Center may have a Board of Directors, the formation of which shall be determined by a resolution of the Minister. The resolution establishing the Board shall specify its competences, operating procedures, and term of office.

Subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the Director shall submit the matters stipulated in clauses (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10) of Article (6) and Article (8) of this resolution to the Board of Directors, if constituted. The Board shall then forward these matters to the Minister along with its recommendations.

The Minister may delegate any of the competences set out in this resolution to the Board of Directors or to its Chairman.

The Center shall appoint a Director upon the nomination of the Minister. The Director shall oversee the Center and be accountable to the Minister for managing its scientific, financial, and administrative affairs, as well as safeguarding its funds, in accordance with the applicable legislation at the Centre. The Director shall undertake the following competences and functions:

1. Propose the general policy of the Center and its annual work plan, submit them to the Minister for approval, and oversee their implementation.

2. Propose draft regulations and decisions essential for organizing the Center’s operations, including its organizational structure, and human resources, financial, and administrative regulations. These regulations and decisions shall be issued by the Minister following review and approval of the Director recommendations.

3. Prepare draft scientific and commercial cooperation agreements between the Center and local, foreign, and international authorities, centers, and institutions, and submit these drafts to the Minister for approval.

4. Oversee the preparation of the annual budget draft and the final account of the Center, submit them to the Minister for approval, and follow up on the implementation of the budget within its approved allocations.

5. Supervise the workflow in the Center, follow up on its achievements and performance outcomes, and propose the necessary systems and procedures to contribute to improving and developing performance and submit the same to the Minister for approval.

6. Appoint and terminate the services of the Center’s employees, and issue decisions related to their employment, in accordance with the legislation in force at the Center.

7. Conclude contracts, agreements and memoranda of understanding necessary for the execution of the Center’s competences, in accordance with the legislation in force in the Federal Government.

8. Represent the Center before the judiciary, third parties, and relevant authorities both domestically and internationally, ensuring adherence to the legislation and regulations in force in the State.

9. Open and close bank accounts within the State in the name of the Center.

10. Submit an annual report on the Center’s activities and achievements to the Minister.

11. Any other functions or competences assigned to the Center in accordance with the laws, regulations, and resolutions issued by the Cabinet or the Minister.

The Director may delegate some of their powers to any senior staff member of the Center as deemed appropriate, provided that the delegation is in writing and specific. The Minister may, by a resolution, appoint a specialist in the Center’s field of work to perform the functions of the Director. The resolution regarding this appointment shall specify the financial arrangements applicable to the appointee.

The Center shall have an annual budget, and its financial resources shall be as follows:

1. The amounts allocated to the Center by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

2. Revenues and services fees obtained thereby through the exercise of its competences and functions, and the provision of its research, consulting and training services.

3. Return on the investment of its funds and profits from the companies in which it holds shares.

4. Any other financial resources or grants approved by the Minister.

The fees for the services provided by the Center shall be determined by a resolution issued by the Minister, based on a proposal submitted by the Director of the Center.

The Center’s accounts shall be audited by one or more auditors in accordance with the rules in force in the State. The auditor shall be appointed by the Director of the Center after the Minister’s approval.

The auditor shall submit their report to the Center’s management within a maximum of four months from the beginning of the fiscal year, and the Director shall submit this report to the Minister, accompanied by their opinion.

The Center’s Fiscal Year shall commence on the 1st of January and end on the 31st of December of each year. The first Fiscal Year shall commence from the date of enforcement of provisions of this Resolution and shall end on the 31st of December of the following year.

The Center shall continue to provide its services and carry out its operations at its headquarters located at the United Arab Emirates University, and the university shall continue to provide the logistical services and electronic platforms necessary for the Center’s operations.

The Center shall cooperate with the United Arab Emirates University in providing its research services free of charge to specialists from among the university faculty members and students. These services may also be provided to other universities, research centers, researchers, and students. A resolution issued by the Minister shall determine the aspects of this cooperation, the provision of these services and conditions thereof.

The Board of Directors of the Center existing at the time of issuance of this resolution shall continue to carry out the functions assigned thereto until the end of its term, or until a resolution is issued by the Minister in accordance with the provisions hereof.

The Director and employees of the Center shall continue to perform their duties and exercise the competencies assigned to them at the time of issuance of this resolution, with the same entitlements and employment benefits.

Without prejudice to the provisions of this resolution, the legislation, regulations and systems in force at the Center at the time of its issuance shall remain in effect until any other resolutions are issued that amend or supersede them. I In the absence of specific provisions in those regulations and systems, the legislation in force within the federal government shall apply.

Resolution No. (7) of 2021 referred to herein is hereby repealed. Any provision that contradicts or conflicts with the provisions of this resolution shall also be repealed.

This Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force from the day following the date of its publication.