Presidential Decree no. (4), of the year1999
Concerning designation of competencies of the Ministry of NGOs Affairs

We: Chairman of the executive Committee, the PLO
We: President of the Palestinian National Authority

• After perusal of the law No (13) of the year 1995 concerning the elections and their amendments

• And the presidential decree No (2) of the year 1998 for forming the cabinet of ministers

• And what is presented by the Minister of NGOs affairs

• And according to the exigencies of the public we interest

We issue this decree.

Article (1)

The Ministry of NGOs Affairs aims at coordinating and organizing work between all Palestinian NGOs and foreign NGOs and other various governmental Parties. This stems from the principles of complementary, participation and transparency in planning and execution in order to achieve the comprehensive national plan for the service of the Palestinian community.

Article (2)

The ministry undertakes to exercise, in order to achieve its objectives, these competencies:

1. Coordination and cooperation with The Ministry of Interior and the Ministries related to the registration and follow-up of activities of Charity societies and non-government institutions.
2. Coordination and consolidation of work between NGOs and the various governmental institutions, and setting suitable mechanisms to achieve that.
3. Guarantee of freedom and independence of NGOs work to complement and integrate the governmental work for the service of the various work sectors.
4. Reviving and promoting the voluntary work and developing its concepts and principles.
5. Contribution in setting the charters of honor and mechanism of work, and the coordination between the NGOs working in the same sector.
6. Contribution in setting and designating the national priorities in various sectors in association with the NGOs and related ministries to present them to foreign parties.
7. Contribution in setting the programs and mechanisms of reviving the social solidarity.
8. Development of the resources of the financial local, Arab, and international support to the NGOs.
9. Assurance of the utmost cooperation between the NGOs and various Ministries to formulate mutual national orientations, especially in the development of the different fields.

Article (3)

All the concerned parties, each in its field, should enact this decree from the date of issuance. It should be published in the gazette.

Issued in Gaza city, 6 October,1999.

Yaser Arafat

Chairman of the executive committee
Palestine Liberation Organization
The President of the Palestinian National Authority