The Federal National Council's, FNC, Parliamentary Division has concluded its participation in the fourth Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians, held in Ottawa, Canada.

The conference, held annually by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, discussed the role of young parliamentarians as leaders of integration and covered a number of issues related to refugees, equal opportunities, and more equitable economies for young people, as well as their political participation.

The UAE delegation emphasised the importance of increasing political participation of young people so that they can take part in the decision-making processes and contribute to economic and social development.

FNC Member, Faisal Al Thabahi, who presented a working paper during the closing session of the conference, titled, 'Comprehensive Political Participation,’ highlighted the relevance of training young people on elections and candidacy and establishing a legal framework to consolidate the minimum voting age and eligibility to run for elections. He also spoke about involving young people in electoral laws to further increase their political participation.

Al Thabahi said that the UAE has adopted a comprehensive strategy to empower young people in various political, economic and social programmes, adding that they constitute the predominant proportion of ministers and officials in various state institutions and departments.