His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, has announced the issuence Federal Decree No. (82) of 2024, officially marking the closure of the first regular session of the 18th legislative term of the Federal National Council.
Decree Issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed
According to the decree, the first regular session of the 18th legislative term of the Council will conclude at the end of the session agenda on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. The President of the Federal National Council is tasked with implementing this decree, which will be published in the Official Gazette.
In recognition of the conclusion of the first regular session of the 18th legislative term, Saqr Ghobash, the Speaker of the Federal National Council, conveyed profound appreciation and gratitude to the wise leadership, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, as well as to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Head of the Presidential Court, along with their fellow members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates. Ghobash expressed gratitude for their unwavering support and generous care towards the Federal National Council, acknowledging their significant contributions to its endeavors.
He also commended the positive cooperation demonstrated by Their Highnesses and the ministers in fostering a harmonious relationship between the government and the Council, built upon mutual respect, shared national responsibility, and the collective interest of the public.
Furthermore, Ghobash extended his thanks and appreciation to all institutions, bodies, and government agencies for their invaluable assistance to the Federal National Council in fulfilling its constitutional duties, thereby advancing the aspirations of the nation's leadership and the people of the UAE.
Throughout the first regular session of the 18th legislative term, which commenced on November 6, 2023, the Federal National Council deliberated on numerous national issues spanning various sectors. These discussions were a reflection of the visions and directives of the wise leadership, as well as the active participation of citizens in bolstering the country's development and cultural advancement.
The Council convened 12 sessions during this period, during which it endorsed six draft laws, deliberated on seven general topics, issued 60 recommendations, and posed 18 parliamentary questions to government representatives.
The Council's permanent committees played a pivotal role in addressing national topics and issues. Since their inception, these committees have been committed to exploring general topics across various fields of national development. They conducted 70 meetings to review draft laws and general topics, often inviting experts, specialists, and officials from ministries, federal and local national bodies, and institutions to contribute to comprehensive research and study.
Moreover, the UAE Parliamentary Division actively engaged in parliamentary diplomacy aligned with the country's policies and orientations. It contributed significantly to strengthening diplomatic relations with brotherly and friendly nations, advancing national interests, and advocating for national issues on regional, Arab, Islamic, and international parliamentary platforms.
The Parliamentary Division achieved notable success, securing four regional and international parliamentary positions and participating in 122 parliamentary events. It hosted numerous delegations from brotherly and friendly countries and presented 182 technical papers during parliamentary events, contributing to the activation of regional and international parliamentary institutions across various spheres of operation. Additionally, it hosted two international parliamentary conferences during the COP 28 Conference of the Parties and the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization.
The closure of the first regular session of the 18th legislative term of the Federal National Council marks a significant milestone in the Council's ongoing efforts to serve the interests of the nation and its citizens.
