UAE Parliament Forges Dialogue with NATO Assembly on Regional Stability and Shared Governance

The Speaker of the Federal National Council receives the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, charting a course for enhanced cooperation on parliamentary diplomacy, Middle East security and institutional excellence.

In Abu Dhabi’s seat of legislative power, two distinct parliamentary traditions converged to explore common ground on governance, security and the architecture of international dialogue. Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council, received Marcos Perestrello, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, along with an accompanying delegation, in discussions that underscored the growing reach of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing global complexity.

The meeting centred on deepening the institutional relationship between the two bodies through reciprocal visits, regular dialogue and collaborative engagement on matters of mutual concern. Both sides recognised that parliamentary communication, conducted with rigour and mutual respect, serves as a bridge for building trust and fostering understanding across divergent geopolitical contexts.

Central to the discussion was the UAE’s enduring commitment to de-escalation and peaceful resolution of conflict. Ghobash reaffirmed his nation’s principled stance that political and diplomatic solutions, grounded in respect for international law, remain the foundation for achieving regional security and stability. This position reflects the UAE’s broader diplomatic philosophy, as exemplified in recent parliamentary engagements that have deepened institutional ties across continents.

The two sides outlined specific areas for expanded cooperation, with particular emphasis on the NATO Assembly’s Mediterranean and Middle East Special Group. They explored mechanisms for exchanging legislative expertise, sharing oversight practices and organising specialised forums that would bring together parliamentarians, subject matter experts and relevant officials to examine pressing challenges.

Perestrello commended the UAE’s parliamentary experience and institutional maturity, expressing strong support for the expansion of formal ties through structured visits, substantive meetings and knowledge sharing that would benefit both organisations. Ghobash, in turn, articulated the imperative of developing parliamentary cooperation as a responsive instrument in an era of shifting regional and international developments, emphasising how such institutions can amplify dialogue and understanding among nations.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This engagement positions the UAE’s parliament as a consequential actor in multilateral governance discussions, elevating Abu Dhabi’s voice in conversations about global security architecture and diplomatic practice. The meeting reflects the international community’s recognition of the FNC’s capacity to contribute expertise and perspective to transnational challenges, reinforcing the Emirate’s standing as a centre for reasoned political dialogue.

For Abu Dhabi’s citizens and institutions, these parliamentary exchanges signal a broader commitment to advancing knowledge and best practice across legislative systems. The emphasis on specialised discussions and expertise sharing creates pathways for Emirati parliamentarians to engage with international peers on governance, institutional development and the complex interplay between national sovereignty and regional cooperation. Such engagement strengthens the foundations upon which effective governance rests.

Source: WAM