The Shura Council State of Qatar

HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim applauded HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's speech at the inauguration of the third ordinary session of the first legislative term, corresponding to the Shura Council's 52nd annual session, on Tuesday morning, which highlighted the accomplishments achieved by the State at the international and external levels, affirming the wisdom of HH the Amir in outlining the development policies for a bright future to Qatar's generations as the country moves steadily towards achieving comprehensive development in accordance with the goals and pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030.

Addressing the session, HE the Speaker of the Shura Council welcomed HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, on behalf of members of the Shura Council, in this lofty national edifice - the Shura Council; extending the sincerest thanks and appreciation to HH the Amir for inaugurating the third ordinary session of the first legislative term, corresponding to the Shura Council's 52nd annual session.

His Excellency underlined that the State of Qatar has been receiving an increasing number of visitors from various regions of the world in the wake of hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 which highlighted the civilized face of the State of Qatar, and reflected its ancient customs and values and the nature of its people who welcome everyone. This has made Qatar a country attractive for investment given the great development and huge achievements in infrastructure projects that accompanied the event, in addition to the significant expansion of energy projects and related industries, in an effort to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development.

These days, Qatar is hosting the International Horticultural Expo as the first country in the MENA region to host this global event, which confirms its status and the confidence of the international community in it as a country that supports efforts of combating desertification and using modern agricultural techniques, His Excellency added.

HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim underlined that the Qatari diplomacy, in accordance with the wise directives of HH the Amir, has achieved tangible success in its good conciliatory endeavors to bring the positions of the parties closer together in areas of conflict and war, through its mediation and its constant emphasis that dialogue is the best way to resolve all differences. This has received wide praise by parliamentary delegations, and was felt during the participation in various parliamentary forums.

At the Arab level, the State of Qatar provided various possible forms of support to the brothers in Palestine, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon and others, in addition to the assistance it also provided to brotherly and friendly countries in the ordeals that befell them, which confirms Qatars position and its pioneering role as an active member in the international community, His Excellency added.

In his speech, HE the Speaker of the Shura Council held the occupation authorities alone responsible for the dangerous escalation in the occupied Arab territories in Palestine, which resulted in thousands of casualties, including martyrs, wounded and missing persons, amid complete international silence, and even bias by some countries towards the aggressor party.

He emphasized HH the Amir's constant assertion on the necessity of providing protection for the Palestinian people, and obliging the occupation government to stop the aggression and implement the provisions of international humanitarian law and all international charters and resolutions.

HE the Speaker of the Shura Council warned of the recent increase in manifestations of provocation to the feelings of Muslims by burning and desecrating copies of the Holy Quran, discrimination against Muslims, and deliberate distortion of the image of Islam in some countries of the world, which leads to an increase in cases of violence, extremism and hatred, and contradicts the aspirations of everyone for peaceful coexistence among nations.

He underlined that the Shura Council supports the good efforts undertaken by the State of Qatar to prevent contempt of religions and hate speech, saying: We in the Shura Council support our countrys good efforts to prevent contempt of religions and hate speech, and its emphasis not to link any wrong actions or behaviors to a specific religion or belief, on the basis that all religions carry a message of love and peace. Therefore, at the 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, we presented an emergency item on criminalizing contempt of religions.

HE the Speaker of the Shura Council summarized the achievements of the Shura Council during the previous session, noting that the Council was able to perform its duties in accordance with the Constitution and Law No. 7 of 2021 regarding the Shura Council. He stressed that this would not have been achieved without the continued support and special care HH the Amir gives to the Council.

He explained said that the Shura Council held during its last session 35 regular sessions, two extraordinary sessions, and sixty-nine meetings of the Councils committees; adding that the work of the previous session saw the discussion and study of many topics that fall within the scope of the Council's competencies, as stipulated in the Constitution.

In the field of legislation, the Shura Council approved a number of draft laws, in addition to a number of draft laws related to amending provisions of some existing laws. The Council also approved the State's general budget, after discussing its items in the presence of HE the Minister of Finance, HE the Speaker of the Shura Council said.

Based on the provisions of the Shura Councils internal regulations, six requests were submitted for general debate, including: reorganizing and monitoring offices recruiting domestic workers, taking advantage of retirees in the labor market, violations by some individuals and companies and their negative impact on the environment, the delay in medical appointments in the public health sector, reasons for the high divorce rates, and the disadvantages of incorrect use of technology, His Excellency noted.

The Council also submitted six proposals to the esteemed government regarding strengthening national values and identity in society, inflation, high costs of living and increasing financial burdens on citizens, the phenomenon of Qatari teachers reluctance to the teaching profession, violations of some individuals and companies and their negative impact on the environment, and a proposal on the cultural legacy of the State of Qatar hosting the World Cup, which aims to preserve and build on the gains that have been achieved, His Excellency added.

In this aspect, HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim praised the cooperation of the esteemed government and its constructive and fruitful approach, through attending the Council's sessions and the meetings of its committees.

In the field of diplomacy and parliamentary relations, HE the Speaker of the Shura Council said the Council actively participated in a number of Arab, regional and international conferences, seminars and parliamentary meetings. It also hosted the Third Counter-Terrorism Coordination Meeting and Policy Dialogue on Border Security, in cooperation with the authorities concerned with combating terrorism in the country; in addition to the 10th conference of the Association of Secretaries-General of Arab Parliaments last month. The Council will host the 17th regular meeting of Their Excellencies Heads of Shura, Representatives, National Assembly, and Parliament Councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council next month.

HE the Speaker of the Shura Council extended his thanks and appreciation to the heads and members of the Councils committees for their sincere efforts in all areas of the Councils work. He also appreciated the efforts of all employees of the General Secretariat at the level of administrative work, and thanked all citizens and various agencies and institutions for their trust and positive cooperation.

In conclusion of his speech, HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim affirmed continued efforts to achieve the elevation of the nation. He assured HH the Amir of exerting all efforts needed to achieve the elevation of the nation and the aspirations of the Qatari people, renewing the pledge and loyalty to HH the Amir, the leader of Qatar's blessed renaissance, and asking Allah Almighty to maintain security and prosperity for Qatar, and further development and prosperity for its proud people.