Abu Dhabi, November 9, 2020 – The Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs (MFNCA) and the General Secretariat of the Federal National Council (FNC) held their fourth remote periodic coordination meeting for this year.
The meeting saw the two entities discuss plans and tactics to enhance coordination and monitoring procedures, promote further integration of roles, and continue to achieve the aspirations of the UAE’s wise leadership to channel all resources and capabilities towards serving citizens and meeting their needs.
Participants at the meeting looked back on the decisions made at the second and third coordination meetings, before going over the preparations underway for the 2nd Term of Ordinary Sessions for the 17th Legislative Chapter, as well as the scheduling of sessions and the topics and draft laws to be discussed. They also discussed coordination procedures, followed up on various FNC-related issues, and set plans to hold timely sessions and coordinate the attendance of Ministers at Federal National Council sessions.
MFNCA Undersecretary H.E. Tariq Hilal Lootah attended the meeting, along with H.E. Dr Omar Abdulrahman Salim Alnuaimi, Secretary-General of the FNC; H.E. Dr Saeed Muhammad Alghufli, the MFNCA’s Assistant Undersecretary for FNC Affairs; and Karem Abdullatif, Principal Legal Advisor to the Federal National Council; in addition to heads of departments and staff members from both entities.
H.E. Tariq Hilal Lootah began the meeting by welcoming the attendees, applauding the efforts of teams in both the MFNCA and the General Secretariat of the FNC, who demonstrated commitment to providing the best services and to continuously improving performance.
“The 1st Term of Ordinary Sessions for the 17th Legislative Chapter, witnessed many achievements despite the exceptional circumstances the world is facing,” H.E. Lootah said. “Our commitment to discussing the issues that most concern citizens is evidence of our ability to face challenges with innovative solutions. It demonstrates the advanced level of integration of roles and responsibilities between the legislative and executive authorities, which serves to enhance decision-making, support various sectors, and improve their performance.”
His Excellency stressed that more work will be done during the second ordinary session to enhance coordination and monitoring processes and maintain performance at the highest standards. This is in line with the UAE leadership’s aspirations for the parliamentary sector, which has become a pillar of the development taking place across the UAE.
For his part, FNC Secretary-General H.E. Dr Omar Abdulrahman Salim Alnuaimi asserted that the General Secretariat of the Federal National Council has made all arrangements that allow it to provide support to the Council’s departments ahead of the 2nd Term of Ordinary Sessions for the 17th Legislative Chapter. This is in keeping with the strategy to ensure outstanding parliamentary performance across the FNC’s legislative, oversight, and parliamentary diplomacy powers. The strategy also seeks to enhance the Council’s contribution to the UAE’s efforts to enhance integration and promote collaboration on identifying prominent future trends, as well as developing a plan to prepare for the next 50 years.
“The FNC has an extensive agenda of draft laws and public issues, included on the schedules of various committees,” H.E. Dr Alnuaimi explained. “Most of these items have been completed and are ready to be presented to the Council; they affect key sectors in the country, most notably the economy, investment, housing, Emiratisation, and health. This reflects the Council’s commitment to the UAE’s vision and aspirations to forecast the future.”
The Federal National Council made many national achievements during the 1st Term of Ordinary Sessions for the 17th Legislative Chapter despite the difficult circumstances that the UAE – and all countries around the world – went through. The Council continued to hold its sessions remotely, in addition to taking part in regional and international diplomatic events.
Dr Alnuaimi expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, in addition to federal and local institutions, public benefit groups, and all concerned parties, which consistently cooperate with the FNC and engage in discussions, whether at the Council or during events and parliamentary visits.
The meeting is one of a series of coordination sessions the MFNCA holds periodically to discuss better ways to communicate and cooperate with various entities, in an effort to facilitate procedures, streamline coordination processes, develop cooperation tactics, and fulfil the Ministry’s strategic objectives.