The Federal National Council, FNC, which was set up shortly after the establishment of the Union, will observe its 45th anniversary on 12th February.

Since its inception, the FNC has been the largest, capable and effective legislative institution when it comes to representation of the people of the UAE under the umbrella of the Union to achieve the aspirations of the leadership and foresee the future by exercising legislative and supervisory powers, practising parliamentary diplomacy, giving expression to national cohesion and contributing to balanced and comprehensive developments witnessed by the country, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The FNC contributes to the development process, with support from the wise leadership and participation of citizens in decision-making, in order to enhance its role and exercise its constitutional powers besides implementing its first parliamentary strategy for 2016-2021, which is the first of its kind in the history of parliamentary activities in the UAE and the region.

The first parliamentary strategy aims to record landmark achievements during its current legislative chapter that will help guide future legislative chapters in consolidating national unity, ensuring good citizenship and strengthening the legislative system in line with best international standards.

The FNC also aims to enhance its performance to help achieve the vision of the UAE and to support the country’s foreign policy through parliamentary diplomacy, strengthening of communication, reinforcement of active societal participation and development of internal capabilities.

In a bid to keep up with the UAE’s strategy to stay prepared for the future by implementing all necessary procedures and policies across various levels of developments, the FNC, for the first time in its history, held a parliamentary consultative forum from 24th to 25th January, 2016. The forum discussed the first parliamentary comprehensive strategy for the current legislature chapter in accordance with best international parliamentary practices, which include vision, mission, values and goals of the five-year strategy and trends. It also discussed legislative, regulatory and parliamentary diplomacy, along with participation, communication and empowerment of the FNC’s General Secretariat.

The strategy focusses on a range of national points to reflect the thought of the leadership, including the political empowerment programme launched by the UAE President in 2005 and the UAE Vision in 2021, the National Agenda "10 points," the public policy of the state, the aspirations of the leadership and the people of the UAE, and the guidance and recommendations raised during the meetings of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Members of Supreme Council, Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates with the FNC members of the XVI legislative chapter.