On November 21 and 22, 2021, New York University, Abu Dhabi, Arts & Humanities, hosted the Conference on the 50th Anniversary of the UAE Constitution. The historic conference served as the cornerstone of the university’s celebration of the golden jubilee of the United Arab Emirates. Co-sponsored by NYU, Abu Dhabi Legal Studies and the Oxford Commission on Constitutions, the events transpired in the Red Theater on campus. John Coughlin, Program Head of Legal Studies and Global Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies and Law, convened the conference.
The conference brought together international and regional scholars to discuss the past, present and future of the Constitution. The participants included, inter alia: Mariët Westermann, Vice Chancellor of NYU, Abu Dhabi; HE Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the President of the UAE, and Chancellor of UAE University; 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, Oxford University Professor of Law, Emeritus; Monika Magyar, Director of the Oxford Commission on Constitutions; Dr. Frauke Heard-Bey, UAE Historian; HE 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, Researcher Max Plank Institute; Maheen Pfeffer, Associate General Counsel, NYU; 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; Prof. Yoseph Edrey, Professor of Law, Haifa University, Israel, and Prof. John Sexton, President Emeritus of NYU, Butler Professor of Law, NYU Law School.
Two full days of presentations and panel discussions among the participants pointed to the significance of the Constitution as the foundation of the rule of law in the UAE. The discussions also noted the paradigmatic function of the UAE Constitution not only for other nations in the MENA region but as well for the development of a constitutional order for countries across the globe.
Mariët Westermann introduced the conference and the keynote speaker. In his keynote address, Zaki Nusseibeh offered a first-hand account of the framing and adoption of the Constitution. Frauke Heard-Bey shared her research about the history and social structure of the Gulf States. John Coughlin sketched the relation between constitutions and the rule of law, and Denis Galligan explored the significance of the Constitution from the context of the broader theory of constitutions. Awam Ampka extended warm words of welcome to all the conference participants. Faris Nasrallah commented on forging federalism in the UAE. Maheen Pfeffer addressed the Covid pandemic from a constitutional perspective. Abderrahim El Maslouhi called for building an analytical approach to judicial review in the UAE constitutional system as foundational to the rule of law. Musab Salem Al Hosani described the constitution as a living and evolving document focusing on its meaning beyond the original text. Edward Udny-Lister addressed the significance of the constitutional order for economic development. Yoseph Edrey brought attention to the issues of finance and taxation for constitutional governments. John Sexton afforded insightful closing remarks to the conference from the perspective of university education. The conference drew an enthusiastic audience of judges, government officials, academics, practitioners, entrepreneurs and students. The NYU, Abu Dhabi Legal Studies students offered hospitality to the many conference guests throughout the two-day event.