The Federal National Council discusses the government's policy approves four draft laws.

The Federal National Council, chaired by His Excellency Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Council, held its 12th and 13th sessions of the second regular session of the 18th legislative term today in the Zayed Hall at the Council's headquarters in Abu Dhabi. During the sessions, the Council discussed the government's policy on boosting birth rates in the country and approved four draft laws on agricultural quarantine, veterinary quarantine, the regulation and control of international trade in endangered animals and plants, and the protection of new plant varieties. The Council posed two questions about the suspension of social development centers for senior citizens and the extended ban on fishing using nets. The session was attended by Her Excellency Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family Affairs, and Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. During the discussion of the government's policy on boosting birth rates in the country, His Excellency Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council, emphasized that Chapter Two of the UAE Constitution, titled "The Basic Social and Economic Pillars of the Union," stipulates in Articles 15 and 16 that the family is the foundation of society. The law guarantees, preserves, and protects its integrity. Society extends its care to childhood and motherhood, and protects minors and other persons unable to care for themselves for any reason. The Constitution supports the Ministry of Family Affairs in carrying out its duties. His Excellency added that the UAE Constitution, and all constitutions worldwide, stipulate that the family is the foundation of society. This places a significant burden and role on the Ministry, which, we understand, is still in the process of establishing and building human capital. The establishment of the Ministry of Family Affairs carries with it special support from the wise leadership. It is under the patronage of the Education, Human Development, and Community Council, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and overseen by Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the Council, who has been keen to bring the relevant ministries together under one working umbrella to integrate and interconnect these policies. His Excellency Saqr Ghobash emphasized the importance of harmonizing various federal policies, saying, "When we emphasize that the family is the foundation of society, it must be given priority, through the development of a clear policy that emphasizes the importance of the family, the importance of childbirth, and the priority of decision-making." For her part, Her Excellency Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family Affairs, confirmed in her comment that the Ministry's work is being closely monitored and greatly supported by the wise leadership. She noted that what His Excellency the President of the Council presented supports the Ministry in carrying out its duties. She stated that there is a keenness to focus on priorities that serve the interests of the Emirati family and all its affairs. During the twelfth session, the Council discussed the government's policy on increasing fertility rates in the country. It adopted a number of recommendations, including the importance of launching a comprehensive and targeted national strategy to increase fertility rates in the country. This strategy should be implemented in coordination with relevant authorities, while drawing on leading international and local experiences in this regard. The Council also recommended strengthening government initiatives and programs aimed at encouraging and facilitating early marriage for young men and women. It also recommended formulating qualitative and quantitative indicators to ensure the effectiveness of existing health policies to increase fertility rates in the country, in coordination between the Ministry of Family and Family Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Community Protection. It also recommended studying the establishment of a federal fertility center, taking into account the geographical distribution of existing centers, and the need for insurance coverage for fertility treatments in all emirates. During the thirteenth session, His Excellency Mohammed Issa Al Kashf, Council Member, addressed a question to Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, regarding the length of the ban on fishing using nets. Her Excellency explained that one of the Ministry's top priorities is preserving and sustaining the fishing profession and working closely with fishermen. She noted that meetings are regularly held within the stakeholders' councils, one of the most important of which are fishermen. She noted that the Ministry meets closely with the Federation of Fishermen's Associations to address all challenges and work with them to achieve its objectives. Regarding the four draft federal laws approved by the Council, they are: "Draft Federal Law of 2025 on Veterinary Quarantine," which aims to regulate veterinary quarantine procedures for animal shipments and protect the country from animal diseases. The provisions of this law apply to all animal shipments imported into, exported from, or transiting the country. The "Agricultural Quarantine Draft Law" aims to prevent the entry and spread of pests into the country and to protect the environment and plant resources in the country from all types of agricultural pests. Its provisions apply to plants, plant products, beneficial organisms, and other materials subject to phytosanitary regulations imported into and exported from the country, as well as agricultural shipments transiting the country under the conditions specified by this law and its implementing regulations. The "New Plant Varieties Protection Draft Law" aims to regulate the granting and protection of plant breeders' rights. Its provisions apply to all plant genera and species in the country. A register called the "New Plant Varieties Protection Register" will be established at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, where new plant varieties and plant breeders' rights will be registered in accordance with the provisions of this law. The legislation issued pursuant to this law will specify the register's data and registration procedures. The draft law regulating and controlling international trade in endangered animals and plants applies to all of the country's territories, including free zones, and to the endangered specimens and species listed in the annexes attached to this law, as well as any amendments thereto. It is prohibited to import, export, re-export, transit, or introduce from the sea any specimen of the species listed in the annexes through all border crossings in violation of the provisions of this law. The law was approved.