The Shura Council State of Qatar

 HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim stressed the Council's keenness to continue its hard work to enhance the development process by developing national legislation and meeting citizens' aspirations and ambitions within a framework of cooperation and integration with the esteemed government.

In his remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA) marking the occasion of the opening of the third regular session of the first legislative term, corresponding to the 52nd annual session of the Shura Council, His Excellency said that the issues that concern citizens are at the forefront of the Council's priorities, guided by the directives and aspirations of the wise leadership to develop national legislation to respond to all comprehensive development requirements, thus enhancing the implementation of Qatar National Vision 2030.

His Excellency added that the Council plays a significant and pivotal role in the legislative process as a faithful representative of the citizens' voice. Out of the Council's role stipulated by the Constitution, the Council carries out its legislative work, keeping in mind the highest interests of the country.

HE the Speaker of the Shura Council pointed out that the Council dealt with issues of concern to the Qatari citizen with great care and great attention, which was embodied in the fruitful discussions that took place within the "Tamim bin Hamad" Hall and the recommendations that resulted from them, including the resulting amendments to the law projects referred to the Council by the esteemed government.

His Excellency added that the credit for these successes achieved by the Shura Council during its last session and all previous sessions is due to the support and trust given by the wise leadership to the Council as a representative of the people, bringing together within its membership conscious societal elites who are keen on the interest of the nation and the citizen.

His Excellency stressed that the Council is guided in its work by the sound directives of HH the Amir Shiek Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, which are embodied in His Highness' speech before the Council at the opening of each session.

His Excellency added that HH the Amir's speech reviews all the events and developments that Qatar has witnessed, addresses all internal and external developments, and addresses the various achievements that have been achieved at all levels. HH the Amir also presents visions and features of future plans and programs in a way that preserves the gains and achievements and expresses the aspirations of the Qatari people.

In this context, His Excellency noted that the honoring attendance of HH the Amir at the opening of the Council's session is a source of pride for this legislative institution and confirms the wise leadership's belief in this lofty and important national edifice and its pivotal role in achieving progress and development.

In a related context, His Excellency stressed that HH the Amir's speech before the Shura Council and its contents represent a beacon that illuminates the Council's path, and from it draws inspiration for the principles, values, and priorities of Qatar internally and externally. It also represents a basis for work, interaction, and dealing with various issues that concern the nation and the citizen.

His Excellency noted that the speech contents and their emphasis on joint Arab action and multilateral cooperation and the emphasis on coexistence and international cooperation constitute the basis on which the Council builds its parliamentary diplomacy, and in light of them, it formulates its relations with various parliamentary organizations and unions and deals with all issues in various fields. Parliamentary forums.

HE the Speaker of the Shura Council pointed out the characteristics and distinct cultural heritage that Qatari society enjoys, which was reflected in the work and performance of the Council and its dealings with various issues, and in its relationship with the executive authority, which is characterized by cooperation and integration, and in the relationship between the members themselves, which is characterized by great understanding and fruitful cooperation.

His Excellency indicated that the wise leadership's engagement with public affairs represents a model that we should emulate. This engagement was embodied in the speech of HH the Amir at the opening of the 49th session of the Shura Council, where His Highness said that Qatar has its own well-established system that is rooted in the structure of the society and intertwined with it, which is not pluralism, rather, it is an emirate system based on established traditions of just and rational governance linked to the people through allegiance, relations of loyalty, mutual trust, and direct communication between them and the society.

His Excellency added that based on that, the Shura Council builds its relations, whether with the esteemed government or with the Qatari community, which is an extension of the Council, or in the relationship of members among themselves.
Regarding the preparations for the new session, His Excellency said that the Council, by its nature as the legislative authority of the country, is always and continuously ready to carry out its role to the fullest and it is also constantly informed and interacting with community issues.

His Excellency stressed that the Council is keen to continuously develop its system to fulfill its role to the fullest extent in a way that responds to the aspirations of the Qatari people and achieves the highest national goals and objectives.

Regarding the priorities of the Shura Council in the third session of the first legislative term, HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim affirmed that the issues that concern citizens are at the top of its priorities and the core of its goals and directions. His Excellency said that through the Council's interaction and close follow-up of all citizens' affairs, the issues that will be at the forefront of interest will crystallize and be shaped and will be presented to the discussion table, whether during committee meetings or at the plenary session.

His Excellency added that all members of the Shura Council are constantly informed and closely following up on public affairs and in constant interaction with their fellow citizens. Therefore, the topics of utmost attention for the Council will reflect what is proposed by society within the framework of the Council's powers stipulated in the Constitution and relevant laws.

His Excellency pointed out that the last session was full of discussion and study of many topics within the framework of the Shura Council's powers, during 35 plenary sessions, two extraordinary sessions, and 69 meetings of the Council's permanent and temporary committees.

His Excellency added that regarding the power of legislation, which is one of the powers of the Council as stipulated in the country's constitution, in addition to approving the state's general budget and exercising oversight over the executive authority, the Council approved 9 draft laws, after being discussed and studied extensively by various Council committees.

HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim underscored the most important draft laws approved by the Council, including a draft law on combating commercial concealment, a draft law on documentation, a draft law issuing the Judicial Authority Law, a draft law issuing the Public Prosecution Law, a draft law regarding procedures for dividing estates, a draft law on regulating fishing ports, a draft law on documents and archives, a draft law regulating postal services, and other draft laws.

HE the Speaker of the Shura Council said that the Council discussed 8 draft laws amending the provisions of some laws, such as amending some provisions of the Income Tax Law, Public Hygiene, Customs, Buildings, and the Practice of the Profession of Medicine and Dental Medicine and Surgery.

His Excellency pointed out that the previous session witnessed the discussion of 6 general discussion requests submitted by Council members, the most important of which was reorganizing and monitoring offices recruiting domestic workers, benefitting from retirees in the labor market, violations of some individuals and companies and their impact on the wild environment, and delaying medical appointments in the public health sector, high divorce rates, and the disadvantages of using technology.

His Excellency also pointed out that the Council expressed 6 proposals to the esteemed government, including a proposal to strengthen national values and identity in society, a proposal to discuss inflation, rising costs of living and increasing financial burdens on citizens, a proposal to discuss the Qataris reluctance to pursue the teaching profession, a proposal to discuss violations of some individuals and companies and their impact on the wild environment, and a proposal regarding the cultural heritage of the State of Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which aims to preserve the gains that have been achieved and build on them.

In the context of talking about achievements as well, HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim considered that the Shura Council's approval of the draft internal regulations during the previous session is an achievement that establishes the beginning of a new phase in the council's work process.

His Excellency stressed that the internal regulations, when issued, will contribute to supporting and strengthening the work of the supervisory and legislative council and meet the aspirations of all its members in a way that meets the aspirations of citizens and achieves the supreme interest of the country under the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

His Excellency said that the special committee formed by the Council to complete its internal regulations succeeded in achieving it, ensuring that its articles are consistent with the Constitution, that it meets the work requirements of the first elected Shura Council, and that it is flexible and sustainable for future councils, praising the efforts made by the committee to accomplish this national mission.

His Excellency also praised the efforts of the members of the Shura Council and appreciated their discussions, interventions, and sound opinions that they presented during three public sessions, including two "extraordinary" sessions to finalize the draft regulation consisting of (241) articles distributed on eight sections.

Regarding the legislative stages that the regulation passes through until its final approval and implementation, HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim explained that according to what is stipulated in the Constitution, the Council sets its internal regulations, which are then issued by law by HH the Amir and then be implemented in the conduct of the Council's work.

His Excellency talked about the Council's role in parliamentary diplomacy, stressing that the State of Qatar has achieved great success in consolidating the concept of parliamentary diplomacy by contributing to creating a state of interdependence and communication between peoples through their representatives. His Excellency added that the Council highlighted, through its parliamentary diplomatic activity, the bright image and noble values of the State of Qatar and its keenness on international cooperation and bringing people together.

His Excellency added that based on the great role that Qatar plays regionally and globally through its balanced and wise diplomacy and policy, it was necessary for the Shura Council, as the country's supreme legislative authority, to have an active role in diplomacy and parliamentary relations, in line with the country's policy, reflecting its civilized image and conveying its people's point of view regarding various issues and files.

His Excellency indicated that the Shura Council was keen to participate in various Gulf, Arab, regional, and international parliamentary conferences, seminars, and meetings, the most important of which was participation in the 146th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, during which the Council presented an emergency item on criminalizing contempt of religions.

His Excellency said that the Council's interaction with regional and international parliamentary activities is a reflection of Qatar's important and active role on the global scene. His Excellency indicated that the Shura Council, as a representative of the people, participates effectively and vitally in all parliamentary forums, works to support and strengthen the state's directions in its relations, supports its initiatives, and conveys the Qatari people's point of view to the whole world.

His Excellency added that from this standpoint, the Shura Council's active participation in parliamentary forums and events, its support for stances consistent with Qatar's principles and values, and the submission of proposals and initiatives that benefit Qatar and its people undoubtedly contribute to the convergence of views and strengthen Qatar's relations with the peoples of brotherly and friendly countries, and support positive positions that are consistent with the directions of the country.

His Excellency noted that the Council actively participated in a number of parliamentary forums and events and presented proposals and initiatives that would bring world peoples closer together and enhance joint action and cooperation between all parties.

His Excellency also pointed out that the Council stood by and supported the country's efforts in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and expressed great pride in this hosting in various regional and international parliamentary forums and while hosting parliamentary delegations during the tournament. The Council also valued the achievements accomplished at various levels, and what Qatar provided for humanity as it has introduced new concepts for sports in terms of enhancing civilizational and cultural communication between world peoples.

In a related context, His Excellency pointed out that the Shura Council hosted the 3rd Counter-Terrorism Coordination Meeting and the Parliamentary Policy Dialogue on border security and cross-border cooperation in the context of counter-terrorism, in cooperation with the international bodies concerned with the country.

His Excellency added that the Council dealt with various issues, expressing the opinion of the Qatari street on them and adopting initiatives regarding them, especially those related to repeated attacks on the Islamic religion and its sanctities, such as burning a copy of the Holy Quran and contempt of religions in general, in addition to its continued support for the Palestinian cause and its stances on family issues and its rejection of anything that might harm its existence, as well as its emphasis on human nature and good values.

Regarding the relationship with the esteemed government, His Excellency stressed that the relationship of the elected Shura Council with the esteemed government is a complementary relationship based on cooperation and understanding and that the two sides seek one goal, which is to serve the nation and the citizen and implement the vision of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

His Excellency added that the Council is proud of its journey extending to more than 50 years, during which it supported the modernization and development process witnessed by the country, and today its principles are inspired by the values established by the founding fathers during that luminous journey.

His Excellency added that today, the Council views all those achievements that were accomplished during previous sessions as an inspiring historical legacy upon which to build. Therefore, the Council's work is cumulative, and the historical legacy cannot in any way be ignored, which constitutes for us, sons of the current generation, a school of experiences, lessons, and values.

Concluding his remarks with QNA, HE the Speaker of the Shura Council valued the efforts of the wise leadership and its rational approach in achieving sustainable development, achieving economic and social well-being for the Qatari people, consolidating the state's position, enhancing its role in the international scene, and contributing to international efforts to achieve development, stability, and peace for the whole world.

His Excellency stressed that the Council will continue its role in accordance with its constitutional powers to monitor and strengthen the legislative system so that the country continues its rational development approach set by the Qatar National Vision 2030, especially since the country is in the process of starting a new phase with the third national development strategy 2023-2030.