Saqr Ghabash was re-elected as the Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC) by a unanimous vote during the first procedural session of the new legislative term, which took place at the FNC’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi today.

In his speech, Ghobash said, “My dear brothers and sisters, I am deeply grateful for the honour you have given me by electing me as the speaker of this respected council. I assure you that I will do my best, with Allah Almighty’s help and your support, to meet your expectations and achieve our national goals and dreams for more progress, political participation, and positive collaborations with the executive authority.”

“Our guiding principle for this term is to respect the diversity and complexity of opinions, balance the will of the majority with the reality of our situation, and listen to the views of the minority with understanding and appreciation. We aim to consider different perspectives that deserve respect and recognition. This will be the basis of our work and our interactions with each other and with others, led by the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs which is headed by Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs. He has a great executive team led by Tariq Lootah, Under-Secretary of the Ministry, and we will continue to work with them in the best possible way with respect and goodwill,” he added.

The FNC’s oldest member, Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, who chaired the first procedural session today, said, “We begin the first procedural session of the 18th regular legislative term with the name and blessings of Allah Almighty. I congratulate all FNC members, my brothers and sisters, for being chosen by the people and the leadership to represent the UAE. We pray to Allah Almighty to help us serve the nation and its citizens and make us the best representatives of the UAE. May Allah Almighty be our guide and support.”

The session began with the recitation of the Federal Decree issued by President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Decree No. 165 for the year 2023, invited the Federal National Council to convene. The Secretary-General of the FNC, Dr. Omar Abdul Rahman Al Nuaimi, also read Decree No. 164 for the year 2023, which announced the members of the Council for the 18th term.

The FNC members then took the constitutional oath. The Speaker was elected by secret ballot and an absolute majority of those present, as per Article 84 of the Constitution and Articles 30 and 36 of the FNC’s internal regulations.

The Minister of Health and Prevention and the Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs addressed the FNC members: “Welcome to this historic dome, where we begin the first regular legislative term of the 18th legislative session of the Federal National Council. I am honoured to speak to you today. I congratulate you all for being chosen by our wise leadership, who appointed half of you while the UAE’s people elected the other half in the fifth electoral session last month. I also congratulate Saqr Ghobash for his re-election as the FNC Speaker.”