UAE Joins International Electrotechnical Commission Board
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made history by becoming the first Arab nation elected to the Board of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for the term 2025-2027. This significant achievement was announced at the IEC General Assembly in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, in October.
Key Figures and Contributions
Farah Al Zarooni, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Standards and Regulations Sector in the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), played a pivotal role in this accomplishment. She received unanimous support from all IEC National Committee Members.
Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, highlighted the importance of this achievement, stating it aligns with the UAE’s vision to enhance quality infrastructure and global trust in its regulatory system.
UAE’s Role and Initiatives
The UAE’s membership in the IEC allows it to share expertise in standardisation, boosting the competitiveness of local products and supply chain sustainability. The country is also a member of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Board, further solidifying its role in global standardisation efforts.
Farah Al Zarooni emphasized the ministry’s collaboration with local and private sectors to improve industry standards, facilitating UAE products’ access to new markets. The ministry has introduced over 27,000 standards to date.
Empowering the Youth
The UAE actively participates in the IEC Young Professionals Programme, nominating young Emiratis to develop skills in standardisation. Majed Bin Zawbaa from ABB and Maha Al Shehhi from DEWA were selected for the programme, with Bin Zawbaa elected as the 2024 IEC Young Professional Leader for Asia and the Middle East.
About the IEC
The IEC is a leading international organisation that develops standards for electricity, electronics, and related technologies, aiming to facilitate global trade by ensuring quality and safety.
Doubts Revealed
UAE -: UAE stands for the United Arab Emirates, which is a country in the Middle East. It is known for its modern cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
International Electrotechnical Commission -: The International Electrotechnical Commission, or IEC, is an organization that sets international standards for electrical, electronic, and related technologies. It helps ensure that products and systems work safely and efficiently around the world.
Board -: In this context, the Board refers to a group of people who make important decisions for the IEC. Being on the Board means having a say in how international standards are set.
Farah Al Zarooni -: Farah Al Zarooni is a representative from the UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. She was chosen to be part of the IEC Board, representing the UAE.
Edinburgh, UK -: Edinburgh is a city in the United Kingdom, known for its historic and cultural attractions. It was the location where the election for the IEC Board took place.
Quality infrastructure -: Quality infrastructure refers to the systems and standards that ensure products and services are safe, reliable, and of good quality. It is important for building trust in global markets.
Global standardisation -: Global standardisation means creating common standards that are used worldwide. This helps different countries and companies work together more easily and ensures products are compatible and safe.
