Amiri Decree
The foundational decree establishing the Arab Science & Technology Foundation as an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science and technology in the Arab region.
Decree Number
26
Year Issued
2000
Date
19/12
Published in the Government of Sharjah Official Gazette — Special Issue — December 2000
Emiri Decree No. (26) of 2000
Concerning the formation of the Arab Science & Technology Foundation
Preamble
"We, Sultan Bin Muhammed Al Qasemi, the Ruler of Sharjah, in cognizance of the Statute of the Arab Science & Technology Foundation dated October 30, 2000, which has been authenticated by the Notary Public of Sharjah and annexed hereto; and our belief in the importance of the objectives behind the formation of the foundation towards the advancement of sciences and technologies in the Arab region; and towards benefiting from the specialized Arab capabilities in the fields of sciences and technologies and for achieving such objectives; Promulgate the following Decree..."
Key Articles of the Decree
Definitions
The State: The State of the United Arab Emirates
The Ruler: His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah
The Foundation: The Arab Science & Technology Foundation
The Committee: The Trustees' Committee
The Board: The Management Board
The President: The Foundation's President
Formation
Pursuant to the present Decree and in accordance with the Statue dated October 30, 2000 annexed thereto, a special foundation is formed under the name "The Arab Science & Technology Foundation" which shall be a non-governmental and non-profitable foundation enjoying an autonomous juristic personality and having full capacities to act within the limitations of the provisions of the Statue and the present Decree.
Headquarters
The foundation's offices and headquarters shall be situated in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, and it shall be entitled to establish other branches in any other country in accordance with the provisions of the document.
Objectives
The foundation shall aim at supplementing the efforts exerted by the existing scientific institutions in the Arab countries without any repetition or competition therewith in order to accomplish the ongoing sustainable development in the Arab World.
Political Independence
The foundation shall deal with the concerned parties with full autonomy by virtue of the provisions of the document and shall not be affected by the political streams and trends in its communications with the individuals or their respective countries.
Organizational Framework
The organizational framework of the foundation shall comprise the following main bodies:
The Trustees' Committee
The Management Board
The Executive Office
Permanent & Temporary Committees
Trustees' Committee Composition
The committee shall consist of a maximum number of fifteen members selected from eminent personages, businessmen, researchers, intellectuals and scholars all devoted to the scientific and technological advancement in the Arab World.
Management Board Composition
The board shall consist of distinguished scholars and researchers and elevated personages having active roles in science and technology fields. It shall comprise a minimum of seven members and a maximum of thirteen members inclusive of the president, ensuring proper balance of local and abroad scholars, various scientific majors, and Arab World geographical locations.
Tax Exemption
The foundation shall be exempt from all governmental, municipal or customs taxes, fees and duties.
Foundation's Revenues
The foundation's revenues shall comprise:
- Donations through endowments, grants and gifts accepted by the board
- Monetary aids from governmental and private Arab and international institutions
- Profits made by investing the foundation's funds
- Sums raised by the works and services duly performed by the foundation
- Any other revenues accepted by the board
Official Languages
The official languages of the foundation shall be Arabic and English, and other languages may be authorized subject to the approval of the board.
Issued on Tuesday, 23rd of Ramadan, 1421 (A.H.)
Corresponding to December 19th, 2000
Sultan Bin Muhammed Al Qasemi
The Ruler of Sharjah
Historical Context
The Foundation emerged from the recommendations of 425 distinguished Arab scientists who attended the "Scientific Research Outlook and Technology Development in the Arab World" symposium at Sharjah University in April 2000. The Statute was authenticated by the Notary Public of Sharjah on October 30, 2000.
Learn More About ASTFRelated Documents
The Amiri Decree references the ASTF Statute, which provides detailed operational guidelines, membership rules, and procedural frameworks for the Foundation's activities.
View ASTF Statute