Al Ain: H.E. Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to H.H. The President of the UAE and Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University addressed the launch of a conference and research program dedicated to the Constitution of the UAE. His Excellency said, “The Constitution is a critical part of the UAE’s cultural heritage and the foundation of its legal system. In this 50th anniversary year of the history of the UAE Constitution it is vital that we produce scholarly accounts of its origins and assessments of how well it has served the UAE in becoming a prosperous modern nation. It is also essential that these accounts include the professional perspectives of UAE experts for whom the Constitution has instrumental value in their practice. The result will be a rich and solid analysis of the potential of the Constitution to fulfil its functions in the future 50 years of the nation’s history”.

Introducing his own contribution to the Conference, His Excellency explained that the focus of his paper would be the ‘process’ that went into developing a definitive constitution for the UAE. He said, “This is because our constitution did not appear overnight. I want to explain how it came to be that our new Federation was established in constitutional form in practice before it became constitutional fact in text”. His Excellency drew audience attention to a point that he said, “is serious and merits great attention. The gradual evolution over several years of a full and enduring permanent constitution allowed for the accretive institutionalization of a Federal, central government, whilst maintaining both the integrity of identity and authority of local Emirates, and the fervor for Federal national identity”.

Organised and hosted by the Oxford Commission on Constitutions and New York University Abu Dhabi, with support of the UAEU, the series of events will focus on the history of the Constitution and its part in the social, political, and economic life of the UAE. Constitutional scholars, historians, lawyers, and politicians from the UAE and internationally will examine the Constitution against a variety of issues significant to the UAE context. The outcomes of the conference include an historical overview of the development of the UAE Constitution, assessments of its current role and contribution, and analysis of its potential influence on the future social, political, and economic life of the UAE.

His Excellency extended his gratitude and appreciation to all participants in the conference, and to all responsible for the inception and organisation of the full program of events. In conclusion to his address, he sent a reminder to all citizens of the importance of the UAE Constitution. He said, The Federal Constitution of the United Arab Emirates is the cornerstone of the nation and the foundation of its legal system. The Constitution established a state whose development has blossomed thanks to the wisdom, fortitude, and leadership of its founding President, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan and all Rulers of the Emirates. The Constitution now provides the mechanisms to fulfil the vision of our second President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It will enable us to achieve leadership in global efforts to advance wellbeing of humankind. It is a constant reminder of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s instruction that the ‘House be United’ [ البيت متوحد ].

The distinguished speakers to the conference include:

• Prof. Mariet Westermann, Vice Chancellor NYU Abu Dhabi

• Prof. John Coughlin, Global Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies and Law, NYU Abu Dhabi

• Nick Cochrane-Dyet, Chairman of the British Business Group, Abu Dhabi

• Prof. Denis Galligan, Professor of Socio-Legal Studies Emeritus in the Law Faculty of Oxford University

•Dr. Monika Magyar, Managing Director of the Oxford Commission on Constitutions

•Richard Knowlton, Director of Oxford Cyber Academy

•The Revd Jonathan Aitken Former Member of Parliament of Her Majesty’s UK Government

•Dr. Frauke Heard-Bey, UAE Historian

•His Excellency Counselor Ali Al Shaer Al Dhaheri Director of ADJD Judicial Inspection Division

•Awam Ampka, Dean of Arts and Humanities at NYU, Abu Dhabi

•Faris Nasrallah, Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales, Dubai International Arbitration Centre, and Researcher Max Plank Institute

•Maheen Pfeffer, Associate General Counsel, New York University, Abu Dhabi

•Prof. Abderrahim El Maslouhi, Professor of Public Law, UAE University

•Judge Dr. Musab Salem Al Hosani, First Instance Judge at the Abu Dhabi Court for Family and Civil and Administrative Claims

•Lord Edward Udny-Lister, Chair of UAE-UK Business Council

•Shamsa Qaraiban, Executive Manager at Emirates Human Rights Association

•Prof. Yoseph Edrey, Professor of Law, Haifa University, Israel

•Prof. John Sexton, President Emeritus of NYU, Butler Professor of Law, NYU Law School

The conference proceedings will be broadcast, recorded, and published. An interactive website will include an online exhibition of photographs, documents, and interviews, and digital educational resources. These will be supplemented by the outcomes of a three-year programme of research to generate a learning platform that can be used in civic education and youth awareness events about the Constitution.

The Oxford Commission on Constitutions is an independent institution based in Oxford, UK established by dr. Mónika Magyar, Managing Director, and Andrew Hart, Project Manager under the academic guidance of Denis Galligan, Professor of Socio-Legal Studies Emeritus in the Law Faculty of Oxford University. The OCC is dedicated to national, international, and comparative research on Constitutions, the place they have in a society, their purposes, and how they function in practice.