President Khalifa to open FNC chapter on Tuesday

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan will open proceedings of the first ordinary session of the 15th legislative chapter of the Federal National Council (FNC) of the UAE on November 15 (Tuesday), in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and their Highnesses, members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the emirates and their Crown Princes.

Earlier, Sheikh Khalifa issued decrees forming the FNC for the 15th legislative chapter and calling it to convene in this forthcoming session.

The FNC elections were held on September 24 to choose half of the council's 40 members.

The September elections reflected greatly expanded political participation through increasing the number of electoral colleges and its transparency and integrity bolstered citizens' confidence in the country's political development march.

The role FNC plays in enhancing political participation receives high attention from Sheikh Khalifa in line with the political programme he launched in 2005. In his message to the nation on the occasion of the UAE's National Day on December 2, 2005, Sheikh Khalifa emphasised the significance of empowering the FNC and making it a more capable and effective authority that would provide great support and guidance for the executive arm of the government.

He also emphasised the interest in increasing participation and interaction of all citizens of the country by ensuring a more participatory process and the entrenchment of the policy of 'Shura' consultation.

The opening of the new legislative chapter next Tuesday reflects the political leadership's aspiration for a positive and effective role by the FNC within the framework of the UAE's political system.

It also means that FNC members and committees will have to shoulder the great responsibility for making more efforts to boost the process of development - which the leadership considers as a pillar in its efforts to establish stability- through partnership and constructive interaction with the federal cabinet and providing it with authentic opinion to eventually achieve the national goals.