Success of UAE’S political engagement process hailed

ABU DHABI: The Ministry of State for Federal National Council ( MFNCA) has presented the success of its political engagement process at the third Forum of Electoral Management Bodies in the Arab States, with its theme “Electoral Systems in Arab Countries.”

Held over three days, the virtual forum was organised by the League of Arab States’ Electoral Affairs Department, in conjunction with the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’S Regional Electoral Support for the Arab States.

Representing the UAE at the event was an official delegation headed by Sami Bin Adi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at the MFNCA, with representatives including officials and senior employees of the Council and its General Secretariat of the National Elections Commitee (NEC). Also atending virtually were representatives of electoral administrations in the member states of the League of Arab States and of regional and international organisations specialising in electoral maters.

During the forum, the UAE delegation presented a white paper which highlighted the 2005 Political Empowerment Programme launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, in his speech on the UAE’S 34th National Day, which relayed a plan of action and an integrated national vision to activate the role of the Federal National Council (FNC), enhance political participation, and consolidate the Shura approach in gradual stages that align with the distinct values of Emirati society.

Sami Bin Adi said, “This forum was an ideal opportunity to present the achievements made by the UAE in building a pioneering parliamentary experience, in accordance with the defined path of the Political Empowerment Programme of Sheikh Khalifa, which aims to activate the role of the FNC as a supporting authority to the government to serve the country and its citizens. This comes in line with the values of participation and the Shura that will contribute to building a parliamentary experience commensurate with the UAE’S advanced position on all global indices.”

He added, “This Electoral Management Bodies in the Arab States forum also allowed us to share the UAE’S model in managing electoral cycles, which has become a global benchmark. The model’s modern and innovative technologies support efforts in spreading a culture of political participation on a large scale. It also facilitates electoral processes where the previous four electoral cycle sessions having achieved effective participation by all groups and members of society.”