Throughout its history, the United Arab Emirates witnessed the establishment of the principles of Shura and public participation in its civilizational and social development. The people of the UAE have practiced Al Shura as an authentic approach that governs the relationship between rulers and citizens long before the Union formation. The boards of governors are the most important places where the exchange of opinion and advice on various issues about citizens and their concerns and ways to overcome them are discussed, and how to meet their needs and achieve their aspirations and expectations.

The Union was established between the different emirates of the State in 1971 as a reflection of the sovereignty of the values ​​of public participation and the consultative approach among its leaders, who undertook to achieve the ultimate goal of every Arab citizen, in establishing the unity between the Arab nations.

The rules of the Federal Government have been established on sound foundations that get along with the real life and potential of the UAE at the present time. It calls on the Union to achieve its objectives and preserve the self-existence of its members in a way that does not conflict with those set objectives. It paves the way towards a democratic parliamentary government that promotes a freedom of expression and respect of others rights in an Arab-Muslim society, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

As a first step towards the establishment of a full-fledged parliamentary government, the establishment of a council alongside the executive institution was mandatory to assist in the process of enacting legislative Laws, upon which The Federal National Council was established in 1972.

Since then, Political participation in the United Arab Emirates has remained a solid concept in the political, social and cultural spirit of the people enhancing the values of tolerance and reconciliation, not only at the official level but also at the level of the Emirati people.
Political participation is important to safeguard rights and freedoms, and is a mechanism to convey the needs and aspirations of the citizens to the Government

The United Arab Emirates, through its development model, has established a political framework that fosters political participation and the importance of inclusiveness of all society segments in the decision making of the political life. This mechanism of openness not only enhances the principle of the rule of the Law, but most importantly conveys the needs and aspirations of the citizens to the Government. Adding to this that the liberality at the level of the Media Sector has been an essential component of enriching the UAE’s experience and diversity.

Not to forget the effective role of women and their positive record in the political participation, a right that was granted first by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan to empower women as a crucial component of the Emirati society.