Federal National Council Advances Dialogue on Sustainable Industry and Cultural Heritage at International Legislators Forum
Members of the FNC have contributed to a significant international gathering in China, where they articulated the UAE's vision for industrial advancement and the preservation of cultural heritage
The Federal National Council has participated in the 2026 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges, a substantial international assembly convened by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries in Tianjin. The forum, which gathered more than 300 participants representing 52 countries, regions and international organisations across five continents, centred on the theme of sharing high-quality growth for a sustainable future.
Sumaya Abdullah Al Suwaidi and Mona Rashid Tahnoon, distinguished members of the Federal National Council, contributed to substantive discussions that reflected the UAE’s progressive approach to contemporary challenges.
During a session devoted to industry-education integration and new quality productive forces, Al Suwaidi articulated the pivotal role parliaments assume in cultivating legislative frameworks that facilitate meaningful partnerships between education and industrial sectors. She emphasised that parliaments bear responsibility for encouraging investment in scientific research and training whilst monitoring the tangible effects of such endeavours upon skills development and productivity growth.
Al Suwaidi underscored that sustainable industrial advancement fundamentally depends upon the cultivation of human capabilities and the provision of opportunities for continued learning and innovation. She referenced the UAE’s visionary leadership in directing national efforts towards establishing an advanced industrial foundation and strengthening the knowledge economy, most notably through Operation 300bn, an ambitious initiative designed to elevate the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP to AED 300 billion by 2031, with particular emphasis upon advanced technology industries and the transformative possibilities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The National Strategy for Higher Education 2030 represents a complementary commitment to equipping students with technical and practical skills essential to vital sectors, Al Suwaidi observed, whilst reinforcing research cooperation between higher education institutions and the private sector. The Manufacturers programme similarly reflects this dedication, seeking to prepare national talent for specialised roles within industrial and advanced technology sectors through training aligned with professional requirements and sustainable development objectives.
Mona Rashid Tahnoon contributed to discussions concerning cultural heritage and urban renewal, emphasising the essential role parliaments fulfil in supporting legislation and policies that protect cultural heritage and preserve national identity. She articulated the imperative of ensuring harmonious integration between urban development requirements and the safeguarding of sites and buildings of historical and architectural significance.
Tahnoon stressed the considerable value of strengthening parliamentary cooperation through the exchange of expertise in heritage protection and site management, drawing upon successful practices to achieve equilibrium between urban development and cultural preservation for future generations. She highlighted the National Plan for the Inscription of Cultural Heritage Elements on UNESCO lists for 2026 to 2036, which aspires to increase UAE sites on the World Heritage List to six and intangible cultural heritage elements to 44 by 2036, thereby advancing national efforts to safeguard cultural heritage and enhance its international standing.
Source: WAM