On behalf of the President of the State.. Mohammed bin Rashid opens the new session of the “National Bank”

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 and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Presidential Office, yesterday opened the third regular session of the 18th legislative term of the Federal National Council.

The opening ceremony, which was attended by Their Highnesses the Crown Princes, their Deputy Rulers, their Highnesses the Sheikhs, a number of civil and military officials, and members of the country’s diplomatic corps, began with the national anthem of the United Arab Emirates and the recitation of fragrant verses from the Holy Quran.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum kindly opened the third regular session of the 18th legislative term, and His Highness said: “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, my brothers and sisters, the Speaker and members of the Federal National Council, with God’s blessing and success, we open your auspicious assembly, and we hope from God – the Almighty – that it will be a good opening and a blessing for the servants and the country, and may God’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, in a blog post on his official account on the “X” platform, yesterday: “Today I witnessed the opening of the new session of the Federal National Council on behalf of my brother, the President of the State, may God protect him.”

His Highness added: “Our renewed call for the Council to be a voice for the nation and the citizen… and to be supportive and supportive of the UAE government team… and in supporting our economic journey, our social cohesion, and the future of our coming generations.” We ask God to grant them success in serving the country and its people.”

During the opening, Federal Decree No. 151 of 2025 was read, which was issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, calling the Federal National Council to meet.

The Speaker of the Federal National Council, Saqr Ghobash, delivered a speech in which he welcomed His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the audience, at the opening of the work of the third round of the 18th legislative term, marking the beginning of a new phase in the Council’s exercise of its constitutional and legislative duties.

The Chairman of the Federal National Council said: “On this occasion, it pleases me to address in my name, and in the name of all of you, the highest expressions of appreciation and great gratitude and gratitude to 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, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE. The Presidency Office, and their brothers, Their Highnesses the Sheikhs, Members of the Supreme Council, Rulers of the Emirates, due to the high patronage and continuous support that the Federal National Council receives, which embodies the effective partnership between the executive and legislative authorities, and translates the Shura approach, the foundations of which were laid by the founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his founding brothers, may God bless them, since the establishment of the blessed Union State, as an essential foundation for political participation rooted in Our cultural specificity that elevates the nation and raises the status of the citizen to achieve what we always aspire to of glory, prosperity, security and safety.”

He added: “The year 2025 was a distinguished year in the UAE’s record, in which major achievements were achieved internally and externally, and during which our blessed country occupied a high position on the ladder of international competitiveness, and in indicators of security, economy, innovation, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and quality of life, and advanced to the ranks of the first countries in the soft power index.”

The speech stated that the most important feature of this year is the announcement by His Highness the President of the State to designate the year 2025 to be the “Year of Society,” and to designate the year 2026 to be the “Year of the Family.” These are designations that go beyond celebration to remind of the human essence that we return to in every constructive moment. The “Year of the Community” is the Emirati symbolism that the spirit of belonging to the community is capable of protecting the state’s achievements and their sustainability, and the “Year of the Family” is a reminder that development is not complete unless it is rooted in the fabric of the family and in its moral and cognitive structure, and that raising the awareness of the family and individuals towards the nation represents a partnership, not a privilege, and a responsibility, not a requirement.

He said: “The approval of the federal budget for 2026, which is the largest in the country’s history, confirms that the UAE is on an upward path of growth and stability, and that its financial policies are based on confidence in its own capabilities and future vision. This budget is not only a record, but a strategic message of confidence that expresses the maturity of the state’s financial management, and its ability to combine sustainability and development, between the well-being of the present and anticipating the future.”

Saqr Ghobash added: “On the external level, the UAE continues its pioneering role in promoting regional and global security and peace, consolidating the values ​​of dialogue and understanding, and consolidating the principles of tolerance and coexistence among nations, believing that the prosperity of the country, any country, is not complete except with the stability and growth of its regional and international environment. Thus, this year, as every year, the UAE’s helping hand reached every needy person, brother and friend, in areas of international conflict and beyond. This also reflects the UAE’s firm position in supporting the Palestinian people and in supporting the just Palestinian cause.”

At the opening of the third round of the 18th legislative term, he affirmed, “The Federal National Council renews its full commitment to performing and executing its constitutional tasks with the approach of full responsibility that you have entrusted it with, and in keeping pace with the ambitions and directions of our wise leadership and our honorable people in this changing world… Our compass will always remain in the direction of the vision of the wise leadership, which represents the road map for building the state most prepared for the future of mankind, where knowledge is the pillar of prosperity, social justice is the foundation of development, and citizenship is the center of progress, to confirm the words of His Excellency His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, “Building humanity is the priority and the essence of development,” and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “The UAE is the most noble journey to build humanity.”

The President of the Federal National Council concluded his speech by saying: “We ask God to help us all serve our nation, to preserve the Emirates, its leadership and its people, and to bless the efforts of everyone who works sincerely to raise it.”

After that, the session was adjourned to bid farewell to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and a group photo was taken of their Highnesses and their Highnesses the Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers with the President of the Federal National Council and members of the Council.

Mohammed bin Rashid:

• Our renewed call for the Council to be a voice for the nation and the citizen, and to support the UAE government team, our economic path, our social cohesion, and the future of our coming generations.