Sheikh Khalifa announces formation of Federal National Council

The UAE President, Sheikh Khalifa, issued a decree on Monday to form the Federal National Council after all 40 members were confirmed. Sheikh Khalifa called for the council to convene on Thursday for the start of its new term. The consultative body is made up of 20 representatives elected by the public and 20 appointed by UAE rulers. The 20 members who secured seats during the October 5 elections were finalised last month. Now the 20 appointed members have been announced. Sheikh Khalifa ordered that the council be evenly represented by men and women to ensure gender equality in the country's democratic process. The FNC advises the Government on matters of national importance. It can pass, amend and reject federal laws and discuss international treaties, and is also a forum for members to raise the concerns of Emiratis. It was established in 1971 and voting was introduced in 2006. Members hold office for four years. Council members across the country are looking forward to getting to work this week. Naema Al Sharhan, was proud to be appointed to represent Ras Al Khaimah this year after winning her seat by way of the public vote in 2015. “It is a great honour to be part of the council for the second time and to be chosen by the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah,” said Ms Al Sharhan. She plans to focus on issues related to education, the negative impact of online games and social media on children and empowering women and the young generations. “I will be working on finding solutions to the negative effects of online games and social media on young generations and ways to stop cyber bullying,” she said. “I also want to continue discussing issues related to education and curriculum adjustments, invest in the younger generation and provide support to women, people with disabilities and the elderly.” Dr Nidal Al Tunaiji , the general director of Zayed House for Islamic Culture, is looking forward to helping shape the country's vision after being appointed to her third term as a council member for Ras Al Khaimah. ‘I am grateful for the government and the leadership’s trust in me and for renewing my membership. I and all the members hope to meet their ambitions and work hand in hand to implement their vision for development and a comfortable life for its citizens,” said the 41-year- old mother-of-two. Over the years she said she had witnessed a growing interest in the work of the council. “There is more awareness, which was necessary and was instigated by the President’s decision to have elections. I do believe that today we are reaping the fruits of 2006.” A record number of Emiratis cast their votes on FNC election day last month. Calls for greater equality, better health care in remote parts of the country and an acceleration of the Emiratisation drive were just a few of the issues. While numbers of people who voted were up greatly on the 2015 election, from 79,157 to 117,592, the percentage turnout was slightly down, from 35.29 per cent to 34.81 per cent. This was due to the substantial increase in the number of registered voters for the 2019 elections, up from 224,279 to 337,738 this year. Saqr Ghubash Saeed Al Marri, Dr Ali Rashid Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Hawwa' Saeed Salim Al Dhahaak Al Mansouri, Khalfan Rashid Al Nayli Al Shamsi, Suhail Nukhairah Suhail Al Affari; Moaza Mohammed Saeed Al Amri, Mira Sultan Nasser Mohammed Al Suwaidi and Naema Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Mansouri. Osama Ahmad Abdullah Al Sha'far, Hamad Ahmad Sultan Al Rahoumi, Jameela Ahmed Mohammed bin Omair Al Muhairi; Sarah Mohammed Amin Filknaz, Dr Tariq Humaid Mohammed Mattar Al Tayer; Dirar Humaid Abdullah Humaid Belhoul, Aysha Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla and Mariam Majed Khalfan bin Thania. Humaid Ali Al Abbar Al Shamsi, Shaza Saeed Ali Al Naqbi, Aysha Reda Hussain Al Bayraq, Obaid Khalfan Obaid Al Ghoul, Adnan Hamad Mohammed Al Hammadi and Kifah Mohammed Nasser Al Shahsi Al Zaabi. Ahmed Abdullah Mohammed Al Shihhi, Saeed Rashid Abdullah Al Abdi, Sumaiya Abdullah Salim bin Hareb Al Suwaidi, Naema Abdullah Saeed Al Sharhan, Dr Nidal Mohammed bin Shirbak Al Tunaiji and Yousef Abdullah Batran Al Shihhi. Ahmad Hamad Abu Shihab Al Suwaidi; Afra'a Bakhit Saif bin Hindi Al Olayli; Marwan Obaid Ali Muhairi and Hind Humaid bin Hindi Al Olayli. Aysha Rahid Sultan Leteem Al Ali, Athra Hassan Humaid bin Rakkad, Ali Jassim Ahmed Jassim Al Ali, and Mohammed Issa Obaid Al Kashef. Dr Sheikha Obaid Khaleef Al Tunaiji, Sabreen Hasan Saeed Al Yamahi; Mohammed Ahmad Mohammed Ahmed Al Yamahi, and Nasser Mohammed Humaid Khamis Al Yamahi.

Sheikh Khalifa announces formation of Federal National Council

UAE President issues decree calling for council to convene on Thursday