The General Secretariat of the Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai (SLC) has launched today (November 14, 2021) the Legislative Week 2021 with wide participation by top representatives from the local government entities to explore the potentials of an enhanced legislative system that will meet the needs of the future. The event, which was held in a combination of remote and live sessions, includes a series of initiatives such as the Legislation Lab, an integrated innovative system that comes in line with the national strategy aimed at creating a better future for new generations.
The Legislation Lab is of great importance as it provides a safe environment for exploring flexible and dynamic future legislation and echoes the commitment of the SLC to encourage exchange of visions, ideas, and best practices. In addition, it aims to advance the process of updating legislation to keep pace with the requirements of economic, social, and technological development and the innovative drive to position the UAE as one of the best countries in 2071.
Further, the Legislation Lab witnessed a review of the concept of Sandbox, an approach that allows assessment of the viability of legislation, which is based on the experience of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in implementing legislation on test runs of autonomous vehicles.
The agenda of the event included a series of discussions on three key topics of opportunities, mobility, and sustainability, echoing the theme of Expo 2020 Dubai, an international platform for connecting minds and creating the future.
In his opening speech, H.E. Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar Al Muhairi, SLC Secretary General said: “We are pleased to launch the Legislative Week 2021, which seeks to explore new horizons to modernise and enhance the legislative system that will prepare us for the future. In line with the vision of our wise leadership, building the future requires proactive plans, innovative initiatives, and new skills that ensure comprehensive development for future generations. This event further promotes cooperation, integration, and communication between government entities in Dubai in a concerted effort to develop a resilient legislative system that ensures legislative stability and strengthens the legislative framework as key factors in the adoption of the UAE’s 10 principles and the ongoing preparations for the next 50 years, which is set to be an era of progress, leadership, and development.”
“We believe that launching the Legislative Lab 2021 contributes in the national efforts to create an advanced legislative framework that can keep pace with the UAE’s ambitious development drive and support the nation’s aspirations for a sustainable economic growth and harmonious society, while maintaining the principles of justice, equality, and coexistence. The current edition of the Legislative Lab is particularly important as it coincides with the preparations for the next 50 years and with Expo 2020 Dubai. It provides more interactive platforms to create flexible, proactive, and sustainable legislation and boost the growth of vital sectors in Dubai. Furthermore, it contributes to the fulfilment of our vision to develop legislation that will keep pace with the present and look ahead to the future in line with the directive of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to work together relentlessly and tirelessly in shaping the future,” bin Meshar added.
Faisal Ahmad Al Zafain, Director of Legislative Awareness Directorate at the SLC, said: “The Legislative Lab’s agenda included exploring the Sandbox, an approach that allows assessing the viability of legislation based on the experience of the Roads and Transport Authority. We also held in-depth discussions surrounding three themes, namely Opportunities, Mobility, and Sustainability, in a bid to achieve significant outputs in terms of enhancing legislative stability and fostering the flexibility, efficiency, and inclusiveness of our legal and legislative framework. Through the Legislative Week, we aim to promote further collaboration with our partners from the government in introducing innovative and effective mechanisms designed to support the optimal implementation of legislation in accordance with international best practises. We reaffirm our commitment to creating a well-defined legislative roadmap that is future-ready while ensuring flexibility, which is a prerequisite in developing sustainable and balanced government legislation for the success of the Projects of the Fifty.”
Highlights of the Legislative Week 2021 will feature a series of events including the ‘Legislation Lab’ and ‘Legislation Impact Assessment’, as well as discussions on the following topics: ‘Legislation Stimulating Job Creation and Coping with Future Changes’, ‘Adopting Self-Assessment in Legislative Audit’, ‘Electronic Contracts’, ‘Legalese’, ‘Legislative Agility’, ‘Creating Legislation for the Future’, ‘3D Printing’, and ‘Liability for Non-Disclosure of Infectious Diseases’.
