UAE Makes History as First Arab Nation on International Electrotechnical Commission Board

On 02nd of November 2024 the UAE won the seat on the Board of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for the term 2025-2027 and become the first Arab country to take the position. This was achieved during the IEC General Assembly sitting in Edinburgh where Farah Al Zarooni, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Standards and Regulations Sector at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), secured the nod of IEC National Committee Members.

This success epitomizes MoIAT’s continuous endeavours focused on improving the quality infrastructure in the UAE towards the implementation of programmes and projects elaborated on the development of standards, regulation, and conformity schemes. Currently as a member of IEC/UAE can exchange the information and the results of its work in regards to standardization, thus ensuring the competitiveness of the products made in the country, as well as stimulating sustainable supply chains.

The Chairman of the IEC in its 85th meeting, H E Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology said: “It is quite a historical achievement for the UAE to secure the membership in the board of IEC which is the first for any Arab nation.” He stressed the fact that such a success ensure international confidence in the UAE regulation and quality system.

The UAE’s election comes shortly after it joined the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). Al Zarooni highlighted the ministry’s continuous effort to improve the efficiency of the industry through activities related to standards that follow the best practices of the international standards delivering more than 27000 standards for implementation.

Also, the UAE delegation contributed to the IEC Young Professionals Programme guarantees the youth in standardization. Majed Bin Zawbaa of ABB company and Maha Al Shehhi of DEWA company were nominated and out of which Bin Zawbaa has been elected as 2024 IEC Young Professional Leader for Asia n Middle east.