The Federal National Council holds its first session, elects observers, and forms its permanent committees

The Federal National Council held its first session of its third regular session of the eighteenth legislative term, headed by Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Council, today, Monday, in Zayed Hall at the Council’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, where the Council’s observers were elected and the Council’s permanent committees were formed.

Saqr Ghobash said in his speech: “It gives me great pleasure to extend, in my name and in the name of all of you, the most sincere expressions of gratitude and gratitude 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,” for his gracious favor in opening the third session of the eighteenth legislative term, with all that this embodies of the depth of the relationship between the wise leadership and the National Council. It consolidates the approach of participation and responsibility in building the process of the Union.”

He added: “As I praise today the sincerity of your work and the sincerity that you demonstrated and embodied in your sessions, meetings, dialogues and discussions that took place in the first and second rounds, I am confident and reassured that in this round our giving will continue as it was in performing our legislative, oversight and diplomatic tasks stipulated in the Constitution.”

Saqr Ghobash stressed the continuation of the system of integration and communication in the best possible way with our distinguished government with all its ministries, bodies and institutions, and with Abdul Rahman bin Muhammad Al Owais, Minister of Federal National Council Affairs, and with his always cooperative executive team headed by Tariq Lootah, Undersecretary of the Ministry. We also value the role played by our national media institutions and their representatives in conveying an integrated picture of the role and performance of the Council in a way that the sessions are made public in front of everyone.

Saqr Ghobash said: “In this regard, I cannot fail to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the General Secretariat of the Council, which spares no effort or effort to make the tasks and work of the Council a success, in preparation, organization and documentation, in a way that reflects its dedication and professionalism that befits the status of the National Council and the process of parliamentary work in the UAE. Perhaps what is clearly evident in this context is what Zayed Hall witnessed. “From developing visual display systems, live broadcasting, audio technologies, and smart control and operation systems to global standards that raise the quality of operation and enhance the efficiency of holding council sessions.”

Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Federal National Council Affairs, delivered a speech in which he said: “I am pleased to witness with you today the opening of the work of the third regular session of the eighteenth legislative term of your esteemed council, marking the beginning of a new station in the journey of our parliamentary life, which comes as a translation of the vision of the founding fathers to consolidate participation and strengthen the Shura approach, stressing that this role comes within the framework of continuing the process of work, giving and national achievements, and moving forward in meeting ambitions and achieving aspirations.” Sons of our dear country, and in implementation of the directives of our wise leadership, headed by 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 and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Presidential Court, and their brothers, Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Emirates.

Abdul Rahman Al Owais said: “The outcome of the distinguished achievements achieved during the regular (second) session of the eighteenth legislative term reflects the extent of harmony and integration between the government and your esteemed council to serve the nation and achieve the interests of citizens. It also reflects the keenness of members of the federal government to attend the sessions and to interact positively with all the discussions held by the council regarding the issues before it, out of belief in the importance of parliamentary integration and constructive cooperation between the federal government and your esteemed council, and here we are today – and in the spirit of one team and a common goal – We begin this role, towards the bright future of our homeland, inspired by the values of solidarity, belonging and solidarity, to enhance the status of our dear homeland and to achieve the aspirations of the people of the Union.”

Abdul Rahman Al Owais expressed his sincere thanks and deep appreciation to His Excellency the President of the Council, to their Excellencies the members of the Council and the Secretariat of the Federal National Council, for their effort, which is highly appreciated in serving the nation and achieving the interests of citizens. He said: “I ask God Almighty to guide the steps of our wise leadership on the path to achieving well-being, prosperity and security for the people of the Emirates, and strengthening the leadership position of the UAE in all fields.”

The session began with the election of Council observers for the third regular session, where Dr. Marwan Obaid Al Muhairi and Mira Sultan Al Suwaidi were elected by acclamation, and permanent committees were formed.

Article 40 of the bylaws of the Council’s internal regulations issued by the President of the State’s decision (11/2023) stipulates the following: “The term of observers ends with the election of two new observers at the beginning of each subsequent regular annual session. 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 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.”

The Council reviewed Federal Decree No. (73) of 2025 concluding 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 subject of the government’s policy regarding enhancing reproductive rates in the country, and regarding the request to discuss two general topics: the government’s policy regarding Emiratization in the governmental and semi-governmental sectors, and the government’s policy regarding the Emirates Development Bank.

Regarding the letters received from the government, the Council was informed of six letters, including two letters containing the approval of the Council of Ministers to discuss two general topics: the government’s policy on supporting the quality of services provided to senior citizens, and the government’s policy on enhancing the quality of life of people of determination and integrating them into education and work.

And four letters included the decisions of the Council of Ministers regarding the Council’s request to discuss the topic of the government’s policy regarding nationalization in the government and semi-governmental sectors, and regarding the recommendations of the Federal National Council that it adopted during the discussion of the topics of the government’s policy regarding raising the efficiency of workers in the government sector, the government’s policy in strengthening the role of government media to root the content and consolidate the national identity, and the government’s policy in managing and sustaining the endowment and zakat funds and enhancing their societal role.

The Council reviewed the draft laws received from the government, where a draft federal law was received regarding linking the general budget of the Federation and the budgets of the independent federal agencies for the fiscal year 2026, which was referred by a decision of His Excellency the Speaker of the Council to the Financial, Economic and Industrial Affairs Committee.