His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on behalf of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, today opened the 2nd ordinary session of the 16th Legislative chapter of the Federal National Council at the council's headquarters.

In his opening remarks, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said he and the people of the UAE were looking forward to the further consolidation of the parliamentary and federal experiment, and preservation of the legacy of the founding fathers of the Union.

''From this platform, we salute the loyal martyrs of our nation, thousands of dedicated work teams, government officials and members of the FNC. We also salute those who work as one team for the service and glory of our nation, its flag and constitution,'' HH added.

''We hope this term bodes well for the benefit and well-being of the nation and its people,'' he concluded.

Following the reading of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s decree calling the house to reconvene, Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC) delivered the keynote speech in which she talked about the mounting challenges and crises the world is facing and the house's strategy for the next three years.

The opening ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Qaiwain, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras al-Khaimah, H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, Ahmed Juma Al Za'abi, Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs, Abdullah Al Masaood, Chairman of the National Consultative Council (NCC), and a number of Sheikhs, ministers and senior civilian and military officials, as well as representative of the diplomatic corps accredited to the UAE.

Also in attendance were Saber Chowdhury, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and Martin Chungong, Secretary-General of IPU.