Dubai: A new law aimed at regulating the use of drones and robotics and selling them for scientific and commercial purposes will be issued soon, said a top judicial official on Tuesday.
The UAE is geared towards positioning itself as a leading proponent for regulations covering the use and sale of drones and robotics as an integrated law is expected soon, according to Judge Dr Jamal Al Sumaiti, Director-General of Dubai Judicial Institute (DJI).
Addressing judicial officials and legal experts, Dr Al Sumaiti said: “The law will be aimed at regulating the use of drones/robotics for recreational, research, commercial or service purposes. It will also monitor their trade and prevent their use, particularly in the air, without prior approval from specialised authorities, that will be established to ensure aviation safety and security. The new law will represent a key milestone in a time when drone technologies have become a necessity to keep pace with the fast-growing smart transformation.”
His remarks came as he addressed a specialised seminar, held and organized at DJI, focusing on legislative regulations covering the use of drones and robots.
He showcased the latest international experiments and best practices outside the UAE covering regulations on the use of drones and robots.
He also emphasised the importance of issuing regulatory legislations and rules to prevent the random spread and misuse of advanced technologies, which would negatively impact aviation security and the safety of lives and facilities.
DJI hosted the event to shed light on the growing need to adopt key legislative controls on this emerging technology across the UAE.
Dr Al Sumaiti pointed out that the increasing trend towards use of drone and robot technologies in the UAE has been matched with unlimited support from the country’s wise leadership, helping to raise the bar on technical development and encourage innovation and creativity in line with ongoing efforts to position the UAE among the most advanced nations in the world by 2021.
He discussed the draft law on regulation of work of drones, which is poised to be issued soon with the aim to create a suitable environment that positions modern technology as a key driver in meeting the UAE’s set goals and objectives, particularly in the efforts towards smart transformation.
There is a need to develop a clear legislative environment that can ensure optimal use of drones for development and humanitarian purposes, he said.
“The UAE is proactive in developing and implementing new laws designed to regulate the integration of modern technologies across major industries in order to improve services and increase people’s happiness and satisfaction, falling in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,” Dr Al Sumaiti said.
