Last month, twenty members of the 40-member Emirati parliamentary group were elected, while the remaining twenty were appointed by the rulers of each emirate. Among these members, half are women, aiming to represent the diverse UAE population. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are each represented by eight members, whereas Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah have six each. Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain are represented by four members.
Sheikh Mohammed expressed his thoughts on social media after inaugurating the 18th term of the Federal National Council, stating, “Today we inaugurated the convening of the new Federal National Council. We had a successful electoral experience and we established a new milestone in the journey of empowerment. Today, the council launches as a supporting, guiding, and assisting authority for the government, conveying the aspirations of the people of the union. May God guide everyone for the good of the country and its people.”
The inaugural session of the new council’s legislative term saw the presence of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, along with Crown Princes, Deputy Rulers, ministers, and senior civil and military officials. The council’s first task was to re-elect Saqr Ghobash as its speaker, who emphasized the importance of following the principles set by the UAE’s leadership and the inspiration drawn from the UAE Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for the nation’s development.
Mr. Ghobash reiterated the council’s commitment to deepening cooperation with UAE government entities to support the country’s progress. The council plays a vital role in providing a platform for discussions, debates, and decision-making on matters of national significance, as well as representing citizens’ concerns on various issues, from infrastructure to employment opportunities.
