On behalf of the President of the State… Mohammed bin Rashid will open the third regular session of the Federal National Council next Monday

On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, “may God protect him,” will open on Monday, November 24, 2025, the third regular session of the eighteenth legislative term of the Federal National Council, in the presence of Their Highnesses the Crown Princes, Deputy Rulers, Their Highnesses the Sheikhs, a number of civil and military officials, and members of the diplomatic corps in State.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” issued Federal Decree No. (151) of 2025 AD, calling on the Federal National Council to convene, and stipulates the following: The Federal National Council shall be called to convene in its third regular session of the eighteenth legislative term, on the morning of Monday, Jumada al-Akhirah 3, 1447 AH, corresponding to November 24, 2025 AD, and the President of the Federal National Council must implement this. The decree is published in the Official Gazette.
The opening ceremony of the session begins with the reception of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at the Council’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, by a committee headed by the Chairman of the Council, Saqr Ghobash, and includes members of the Council and the Secretary-General of the Council. His Highness then heads to the reception hall to greet the Crown Princes, the Deputy Rulers, and their Highnesses the Sheikhs.
Then His Highness moves to Zayed Hall, where the opening ceremony begins with the national anthem and the recitation of fragrant verses from the Book of God the Wise. After that, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum kindly opens the third regular session of the eighteenth legislative term with the sublime pronunciation.
Then the decree calling the Council to convene, issued by His Highness the President of the State, “may God protect him,” is read out, and the Speaker of the Council, Saqr Ghobash, delivers the Federal National Council’s speech, and the session is adjourned to bid farewell to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, “may God protect him,” and to take a group photo.
The first session of the third regular session is held
After that, the Federal National Council will hold its first session of the third regular session of the eighteenth legislative term, headed by Council Speaker Saqr Ghobash.
The session begins with the election of observers and the formation of permanent committees, as Article “40” of the regulations stipulates the internal regulations of the Council issued by the President of the State’s decision (11/2023) as follows: “The term of observers ends with the election of two new observers at the beginning of each subsequent regular annual session, and if the place of one of them becomes vacant, the Council chooses someone to replace him for the remaining term, and the election in all cases shall be by a relative majority of those present,” while Article (45/d) regarding the committees stipulates “The permanent committees of the Council shall be fully formed once at the beginning of the first session and again at the beginning of the third session of each legislative term unless the Bureau decides another date more appropriate to the circumstances and requirements of the work.”
During its session, the Council will also review Federal Decree No. (73) of 2025 convening the second regular session of the eighteenth legislative term, and three letters issued to the government regarding the recommendations of the Federal National Council on the topic of government policy regarding enhancing reproductive rates in the country, and a request to discuss the topics of government policy regarding Emiratization in the governmental and semi-governmental sectors, and regarding the Emirates Development Bank.
In the section on messages received from the government, the Council takes note of the Council of Ministers’ approval to discuss three general topics about the government’s policy regarding supporting the quality of services provided to senior citizens, regarding enhancing the quality of life of people of determination and integrating them into education and work, and regarding Emiratization in the governmental and semi-governmental sectors.
The Council also reviews the decision of the Council of Ministers regarding the Federal National Council’s recommendations on government policy issues regarding raising the efficiency of workers in the government sector, the government’s policy in enhancing the role of government media to root content and consolidate national identity, and the government’s policy in managing and sustaining endowments and zakat funds and enhancing their societal role.
The Council also reviews draft laws received from the government, as a draft federal law was received regarding linking the general budget of the Federation and the budgets of independent federal agencies for the fiscal year 2026, and it was referred by a decision of the President of the Council to the Financial, Economic and Industrial Affairs Committee.