The Federal National Council has referred two new federal draft laws received from the federal government to the relevant committees for study and discussion in the coming period, as part of its legislative role aimed at supporting the legal framework and advancing the country's sustainable development agenda.
The Council received from the federal government a draft federal law on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, and a draft federal law on cultural heritage. The necessary parliamentary procedures were undertaken to refer both bills to the relevant committees for study and the preparation of reports.
His Excellency Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Council, referred the draft federal law on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture to the Health and Environment Affairs Committee on an urgent basis, given the bill's importance in supporting national efforts to conserve plant genetic resources and enhance their sustainability, thereby contributing to food security, the protection of biodiversity, and the achievement of sustainable agricultural development goals.
The draft law comes amid growing recognition of the need to develop legislative frameworks governing agricultural and plant resources, in line with national orientations aimed at improving the efficiency of the agricultural sector and ensuring the sustainability of its resources for future generations, as well as supporting innovation and scientific research in areas related to food and agriculture.
In the same context, the Council referred the draft federal law on cultural heritage to the Education, Culture, Youth, Sports and Media Affairs Committee for examination of its provisions and objectives and the preparation of a report, ahead of its discussion in the Council chamber during upcoming sessions.
The draft law aims to strengthen the system for protecting cultural heritage in the country and to preserve the national cultural legacy in all its tangible and intangible components, reflecting the national identity and reinforcing values of belonging and pride in the civilisational heritage of the United Arab Emirates.
The relevant committees are expected to begin a detailed study of both bills in the coming period, hearing the views of concerned authorities and specialist experts, ahead of preparing their reports and submitting them to the Council for discussion and the adoption of appropriate decisions.