Sheikh Khalifa establishing National Defence College

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has issued a decree containing the Federal Law No.1/Year 2012 establishing a college under the name of the 'National Defence College'. The college, to be affiliated to the General Command of the Armed Forces, will be based in Abu Dhabi city and will specialise in preparing and qualifying the military and civilian leadership. The college will also identify and assess the challenges facing the national, regional and international security and will study the principles and requirements for managing and employing the state's resources in order to protect national interests. Article 2 of the decree stipulates the formation of a Supreme Council for the National Defence College with the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces as its chairman, and the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, the National Security Advisor, the Chief of Staff of the Armed forces, the Secretary General of the Supreme National Security Council, the Director General of the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research and the Commander of the National Defence College as members. The Deputy Commander of the National Defence College will be the rapporteur of the Council. Article 3 defines the terms of reference of the Supreme Council of the National Defence College. These include the ratification of strategic plans to prepare and qualify military and civilian leaders and the adoption of regulations, curricula and the educational and training programmes and plans developed in accordance with the educational policy of the college. The Council will also ratify the general policy of the college regarding admission and registration and will determine the strategic priorities and issues of national, regional and international security.