E-participation Policy

Introduction:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes all comments, opinions, inquiries, and feedback received through its e-Participation platforms, recognizing them as a fundamental pillar in shaping the Ministry’s direction and reinforcing its ongoing efforts toward development and improvement. These inputs also contribute to the decision-making process and support the United Arab Emirates in its pursuit of global competitiveness and leadership.

MoFA has developed its e-Participation Policy in accordance with the UAE Digital Participation Guidelines and Playbook. This policy aligns with the national directives of the UAE and the objectives of the “UAE Centennial Plan 2071 “, particularly in the areas of government innovation, digital transformation, transparency, and the promotion of effective community partnerships.

Objectives:

• Enhance professional and transparent engagement  and communication with the public, to build trust and promote greater satisfaction.
• Provide electronic channels to enable the public and stakeholders to participate in the development of policies and services. 
• Establish the principles and rules regulating the use of the e-Participation tools, to ensure proper oversight of the content shared on MoFA’s website and social media platforms, achieve desired outcomes and effectively monitor performance.  
• Raise awareness about the importance of e-Participation among target audiences, and offer guidance and support to help customers engage effectively  in the government decision-making process. 

Scope of the e-Participation Policy Application:
The e-Participation Policy applies to all topics, opinions, discussions and polls that are initiated and conducted through the MoFA’s e-Participation tools available on its website, whether they are accessed, submitted or contributed to using computers, smartphones or tablets.

Target Audience:

• UAE nationals
• The general public within and outside the UAE
• Foreign missions accredited to the UAE
• Strategic partners

General Principles of e-Participation:
o Publish and regularly update accurate and reliable information to ensure the public has access to the latest data and information.
o Foster a digital dialogue environment based on mutual respect, free from any form of abuse or attack.
o Respond to public inquiries and suggestions effectively, professionally, and in a timely manner.
o Encourage the public to share innovative ideas that support the development and enhancement of government service quality.
o Engage inclusive engagement of all target audience groups without discrimination.

Supervision Policy:
MoFA welcomes all opinions, suggestions, and contributions that aim to create, develop, and enhance services, policies, and decisions that meet the aspirations and needs of the target audience. MoFA reserves the full right to hide or delete any comments or materials that violate the rules and terms of use of e-Participation opportunities, including comments or materials that constitute or contain the following:
- Content that poses a threat to security
- Use of inappropriate language
- Violations of privacy or offensive content
- Violation of local laws
- Defamatory, inappropriate, or offensive remarks
- Spam or promotional content for commercial purposes
- Statements that express racial discrimination or incite hatred 
- Partisan or political commentary
- Infringement of intellectual property rights
Failure to comply with this policy may result in the user being blocked from participating. 

Response and Evaluation Mechanism:
MoFA will manage all public opinions, suggestions, and contributions through the following procedures:

• Receive public input through e-Participation platforms, followed by review and analysis by the designated specialized team before publication.
• Acknowledge receipt of user input via SMS, email, or, in some cases, a phone call.
• Refer contributions to the relevant organizational unit within MoFA for evaluation and appropriate action.
• Notify users of the outcomes and findings of their participation, reinforcing the principle of effective communication.
• Regularly announce and promote e-Participation opportunities through the website—such as consultations, blogs, surveys, and discussion forums—as well as through social media (X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) and newsletters.
• Raise awareness about the importance of e-Participation through media campaigns highlighting the benefits of public engagement in decision-making.

Disclaimer:
All contributions and discussions submitted by the public through MoFA’s e-Participation opportunities are personal and only reflect the views of their respective authors. MoFA bears no legal liability arising from the misuse of these tools by users. Furthermore, all opinions and comments shared by participants do not, under any circumstance, represent the official position of MoFA.