UAE foresees future at steady pace while upholding tolerance, happiness and sustainability policy, says Al Qubaisi

Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC) and Chairwoman of the UAE Parliamentary Division, has said the UAE foresees future at a steady pace and is confident of upholding tolerance, happiness, sustainable development and innovation, renewable energy and the empowerment of youth and women policy in a manner that takes into account rapid surrounding changes.

She pointed out that the UAE has succeeded in providing a model to others when it comes to understanding, tolerance, co-existence and openness towards other civilisations, thanks to the UAE leadership's vision and government's commitment to ensuring the success of this model. Dr. Al Qubaisi said acting upon these principles, the UAE had established the Ministry for Tolerance, Happiness and Future, anticipating future policies, visions and endeavours.

Dr. Al Qubaisi was addressing the 134th meeting of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), held in Lusaka, Zambia, and chaired by Saber Chowdhury, President of the IPU, and Speaker of Zambia's National Assembly. Ali Jassim, Head of the FNC Group at IPU; Hamad Al Ghafli; Dr. Nidal Al Tunaiji, Afra Al Basti; Saeed Al Rumaithi, members of the FNC, Dr. Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the FNC and Abdul Rahman Al Shamsi, Assistant Secretary-General for Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs were also present.

The Speaker of the FNC said, "This IPU session is being held in the light of escalating challenges and crises in the international arena. This requires doubling of efforts on the part of the world's parliaments and coordinating their visions to contribute effectively towards preventing national, regional and international imbalances."

She underlined that hateful terrorism has become a terminal cancer in the world and threatens civilisations and humanity, destroys global development and undermines security and stability.

Dr. Al Qubaisi referred to the negative effects of explosions and emissions of greenhouse gases that cause climate change which, in turn, threatens human achievements. It makes it difficult to achieve the sustainable development goals in more than half of the world countries. She noted that this has led to an increase in poverty, hunger and unemployment, desertification and deterioration in human services and has made more than two-thirds of the world's population live in economies that are under threat of collapsing.

She said these challenges and crises require the parliaments to review their roles to strengthen understanding that helps tackle these issues through a common strategic vision with the participation of all constituencies. "We do not only represent peoples and but our roles also include strengthening relations among people to ensure a better future for humanity. We have to make our parliaments genuine platforms for future. This future is represented in youth because they are the most important component of our presence and for the future."

Dr. Al Qubaisi called for a review of the IPU strategy for 2017-2021, with emphasis on activating the role of parliamentary diplomacy and empowerment of youth at the levels of IPU and national parliaments to influence decision making circles at the regional and international levels.

She added that the GCC states have demonstrated their resolve to fight terrorism militarily, and equally address extremism through international programmes such as International Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism (Hedayah) and Sawab, both based in the UAE, to refute the claims of Daesh.

Dr. Al Qubaisi expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Yemen in the light of unfolding violations of Al Houthi rebels and the countries supporting them with a view to abort the constitution, even as the legitimate government of Yemen calls for adhering to the UN Security Council Resolution No. 2216 and the GCC initiative and its executive mechanisms.

She underscored that the UAE government and its people continue to back the people of Yemen and their legitimate government to defeat terrorism and extremism.

Dr. Al Qubaisi noted that the UAE Parliamentary Division respects international law, sovereignty and full independence of countries and non-interference in other states' affairs. "The principle of good neighbourliness is sufficient to achieve cooperation among nations. Avoiding current crises in some Middle East countries requires good neighbourliness, co-existence and respect for national sovereignty."

In this regard, she continued, "We reiterate our firm position in rejecting Iran's occupation of the three UAE Islands of Tunb Greater, Tunb Lesser and Abu Mousa, and call upon Iran to respond to peaceful and repeated requests to solve this issue, either through direct dialogue or referral to the International Court of Justice."

She offered her heartfelt condolences to Russia and the families of victims of the flydubai aircraft, which crashed in Russia yesterday.

Source:WAM