UAE’s Saqr Ghobash Advocates for Universal Access to Technology at 149th IPU Assembly in Geneva

GENEVA: Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC) and leader of the UAE delegation, emphasized the critical role of science, technology, and innovation in sustainable development during his address at the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly. Ghobash advocated for making these tools universally accessible to bridge global inequalities and support ethical values across societies. According to Emirates News Agency, Ghobash delivered a comprehensive statement on behalf of the UAE, underscoring the necessity of integrating science, technology, and innovation into the core frameworks of national and international policies to tackle challenges like climate change, food security, water scarcity, and energy sustainability. He highlighted the UAE's commitment to digital advancement and artificial intelligence, referencing the country's substantial investment in these areas, which totals around US$90 billion across over 100 national initiatives. During his speech, Ghobash quoted Pr esident His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, emphasizing the importance of managing emerging technologies responsibly and ethically to drive sustainable development and prosperity. He advocated for legislative bodies worldwide to adopt a dual approach: domestically, to create laws that encourage science and technology investment, and internationally, to promote a flexible, cooperative parliamentary stance on global regulations enhancing international cooperation. Furthermore, Ghobash addressed regional conflicts, specifically the situations in Palestine and Lebanon. He reiterated the UAE's call for an immediate cessation of the conflict in Gaza, protection of civilian lives, urgent humanitarian aid, and adherence to UN resolutions to foster a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He also called for the resolution of the conflict in Lebanon as per UN Resolution 1701, aiming to secure peace and stability in the Middle East. The UAE delegation at the IPU Assembly included several key FNC officials and members, signifying the importance the UAE places on international parliamentary dialogue and cooperation.