The UAE has been elected to serve on the Board of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for the 2025-2027 term, marking the first time an Arab country has been voted into this prestigious position. The election was held during the IEC General Assembly in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, in October, where Farah Al Zarooni, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Standards and Regulations Sector at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), received unanimous approval from all IEC National Committee Members.
This significant milestone underscores MoIAT's continuous efforts to bolster the UAE's quality infrastructure through various initiatives aimed at advancing standards, regulations, and conformity schemes. As a pivotal member of the IEC, which unites 170 countries and provides a standardization platform for over 30,000 global experts, the UAE's membership allows it to exchange knowledge and best practices in standardization, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of locally manufactured goods and the sustainability of supply chains.
Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, expressed, "Being the first Arab country to be elected to the IEC Board is a momentous achievement for the UAE, aligning with the vision of the UAE's leadership and its dedication to supporting capacity building, improving efficiency, and elevating performance across all sectors." He further highlighted that this achievement validates the UAE's leadership in quality infrastructure and the global confidence in its regulatory framework.
This news comes on the heels of the UAE's announcement in September 2023 of its membership in the Board of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Dr. Al Jaber added, "This accomplishment signifies the international community's recognition of the UAE's endeavors to develop its quality infrastructure system as a cornerstone of industrial growth, in line with the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, Operation 300bn, and the Make it in the Emirates initiative." He concluded, "IEC Board membership will bolster UAE industries, SMEs, and products, making them more competitive, facilitating trade with other nations, and enhancing the UAE's influential role in shaping the future of industry."
Farah Al Zarooni, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Standards and Regulations Sector at MoIAT, led the UAE delegation at the IEC meetings, which included representatives from the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQC), the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Space 42, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), and ABB, among others. Al Zarooni stated, "The ministry collaborates with partners from local government and the private sector to enhance industry efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness by creating standards and regulations that adhere to the best international practices. This helps UAE products gain access to new markets. To date, the ministry has introduced over 27,000 standards. IEC Board membership will further reinforce the UAE's efforts to align and harmonize its standards with those of the global community."
As part of its participation in the IEC General Meeting, the UAE also engaged in the IEC Young Professionals Programme, which focuses on developing capabilities and empowering youth in the fields of standardization and conformity. Each year, the UAE nominates two young Emiratis for the programme. Majed Bin Zawbaa from ABB and Maha Al Shehhi from DEWA were selected for this year, with Bin Zawbaa elected to the 2024 IEC Young Professional Leader's seat for the Asia and Middle East region.
The IEC is a leading international organization dedicated to developing standards for electricity, electronics, and related technologies, with the goal of facilitating global trade by ensuring quality and safety through international standards.
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