The Shura Council State of Qatar

 (QNA) - The Shura Council has concluded its First Legislative Term of the annual session (50-53), adding to its legacy of over five decades a new chapter of achievements that reflect its firm commitment to its constitutional mission. The Council remains dedicated to strengthening participation in decision-making and solidifying the foundations of the Shura system in the country, in a manner that ensures the homeland's best interests are upheld.Throughout successive sessions, the Council has played an important and vital legislative role in serving the interests and aspirations of the Qatari people. This has been achieved through its discussion, approval, and amendment of laws and legislation, all in accordance with the rule of law and aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar, which serves as the legal framework for these ambitions.

HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has consistently emphasized in his addresses inaugurating the Shura Council's annual sessions the Council's vital legislative and oversight roles. HH highlights the Council's effective handling of key draft law packages, through which essential legislation has been completed governing various aspects of life and transactions in the State in a manner that serves the best interests of both the country and its citizens.

HH the Amir's directives continue to serve as a guiding light for the Council's work, motivating further efforts to meet the aspirations of Qatari citizens and contribute to nationwide development and prosperity.

Through its deliberations and sessions which totaled 140, including two extraordinary sessions, the Council addressed numerous pressing national issues, both those directly affecting citizens and those related to legislation and policies that promote sustainable development in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030. These efforts represent a concrete translation of the wise leadership's goals and the Qatari people's hopes.

Throughout its first legislative term, the Council maintained its tradition of active legislative engagement, significantly contributing to the country's development journey in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.

In this context, the Council approved 82 draft laws during its term. These laws addressed crucial issues aimed at improving the economic environment, enhancing investment attractiveness, expanding public-private partnerships, and developing infrastructure.

Additionally, the legislation encompassed reforms to the judicial system, improvements in administrative and financial performance, and increased institutional efficiency to keep pace with national growth and evolving needs.

Among the most significant accomplishments of the Shura Council during the last legislative session was the approval of the draft constitutional amendments during its fourth regular session of the first legislative term, corresponding to the 53rd annual session.

The Council unanimously approved the proposed amendments and submitted them to HH the Amir, following a review of the report by the committee concerned with studying the amendment of certain articles in the constitution. The approval came after in-depth and constructive discussions reflecting Their Excellencies Council members' commitment to national unity, the principles of justice and rule of law, and the supreme interests of the country all in line with the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

On this occasion, HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim emphasized that the draft constitutional amendments, which came in accordance with HH the Amir's directives, mark an important phase that will position the State of Qatar at an advanced stage of development, opening new prospects for growth and prosperity. HE added that future generations will look back on this milestone with pride.

His Excellency also noted that the amendments are an important step in strengthening national unity and reinforcing the rule of law. As HH the Amir indicated in his address to the Council, the purpose of these amendments is to preserve the unity of the people and promote equal citizenship in both rights and responsibilities.

HE stressed that the amendments reflect the State of Qatar's commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law across all areas of life, and to meeting the Qatari people's aspirations for a better future underpinned by law.

Approving these amendments, and the noble goals they seek to achieve, place the country in a historic moment in the path toward development HE said, adding that the country was inherited as a safe and socially cohesive nation free from division, and the responsibility now is to ensure that future generations receive an even stronger and more unified homeland.

His Excellency praised the fruitful cooperation with the esteemed government and acknowledged its support and attention to the draft constitutional amendment.

During this legislative term, the Council also approved its new internal regulations, aimed at organizing its work, managing sessions, decision-making processes, and the organization of its various committees.

The Council's internal regulations consist of 244 articles divided into eight chapters, governing the various working rules and internal procedures of the Council.

The new internal regulations, which replaced Law No. 6 of 1979, outline the internal order and workflow of the Council, the functions of its committees, the organization of sessions, rules of discussion and voting, and all other powers stipulated in the Constitution.

The new internal regulations also aim to strengthen the Council's legislative and oversight functions. They include mechanisms to ensure the smooth conduct of the Council's work, such as organizing sessions and establishing rules for discussion and voting.

Under the new internal regulations, the Shura Council's legislative and oversight roles are strengthened, with clear mechanisms established for exercising its authorities in accordance with the powers granted by the Constitution and relevant laws.

In a previous interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim affirmed that issues concerning citizens remain at the forefront of the Council's priorities, guided by the wise leadership's directives and its aspirations to develop national legislation that meets all requirements for comprehensive development, thereby supporting the implementation of Qatar National Vision 2030.

HE further noted that the Council approached public issues with great care and attention, as reflected in the productive discussions held at "Tamim Bin Hamad" hall, the resulting recommendations, and the amendments made to draft laws submitted to the Council by the esteemed government.

In terms of its general discussions and proposals, the Shura Council's work during its first legislative term, corresponding to its annual session, provided numerous proposals and recommendations that respond to the demands of the current phase and address citizens' concerns in the areas of health, education, the economy, housing, the environment, and sustainability. These proposals also address the enhancement of governance, transparency, preservation of identity, and the challenges associated with modern means of communication.

During its 50th annual session, the Council raised important and fundamental topics and issues, most notably a session on Qatari job seekers, identifying the country's needs for specializations required by the labor market, and another on inflation, the rising cost of living, and the increasing financial burdens on families. It also discussed the phenomenon of Qataris' reluctance to pursue teaching.

Other issues discussed during the Council's deliberations included the implementation of Law No. 7 of 2019 on the protection of the Arabic language, the promotion of Islamic and societal values, and the preservation of national identity. The Council also discussed marriage demonstrations, which lead to increased costs, as well as other societal challenges.

The first regular session of the first legislative term, corresponding to the 50th annual session of the Shura Council, was characterized by constructive work, discussions and recommendations. During 35 plenary sessions and several committee meetings, the Council addressed many vital issues and topics of interest to the nation and its citizens, and presented appropriate proposals regarding them, whether related to legislative tools that regulate the temporary expropriation of private property for the public good, and the regulation of the ownership of real estate by diplomatic missions accredited to the state, or other important topics that touch the lives of citizens, such as the draft laws on social insurance and military retirement. In addition, the Council discussed proposals related to inflation, the rising cost of living, the increasing burdens on citizens, Qataris' reluctance to pursue teaching, the negative aspects associated with marriage, Qatari job seekers, promoting national values and identity, and other topics.

Among the draft laws discussed by the Shura Council during the first session, corresponding to the 50th annual session, were the draft state general budget for the 2022 fiscal year, and the approval of the draft law to adopt it, a draft law regulating the right to access information, and a draft law amending some provisions of Law No. 4 of 2008 regarding real estate rents and others.

During its 51st annual session, the Council continued its constitutional role in discussing issues of concern to the nation and its citizens, most notably reorganization and monitoring of domestic worker recruitment agencies, violations committed by some individuals and companies and their impact on wildlife, benefiting from retirees in the labor market, delayed medical appointments in the Public Health Sector, high divorce rates, the dangers of using technology on youth, and the cultural heritage project for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

This session was also full of discussions on a number of draft laws and taking appropriate decisions regarding them, including a draft law approving the state's general budget for the 2023 fiscal year, a draft law amending some provisions of the Income Tax Law issued by Law No. 24 of 2018, a draft law on combating the concealment of non-Qataris' illegal practice of commercial, economic and professional activities, a draft law on documentation, and other draft laws.

During its sessions during its 52nd annual session, the Shura Council addressed a number of pressing issues, including rainwater accumulation and subsequent losses caused, developing the tourism economy and studying possible solutions that would lead to its development and advancement, and procedures for domestic workers leaving the country. The Council discussed the possibility of reconsidering some of these procedures in a way that preserves the rights of citizens and workers at the same time.

Among the most prominent topics and issues raised by the Council were strengthening national belonging and identity among Qatari students in private schools, regulating the production of media content and its dissemination on digital platforms, supporting national and foreign investment, and other issues.

During the third regular session of the first legislative term, corresponding to the 52nd annual session, the Shura Council held and approved 33 regular sessions and 63 meetings of permanent and temporary committees.

The work of this session also included the discussion and study of 24 draft laws amending some provisions of existing laws, in addition to the discussion of 9 draft laws amending some provisions of laws. Fifteen draft laws were approved after extensive discussion, including the draft state budget for 2024 fiscal year, and important draft laws such as those regulating real estate registration, judicial enforcement, and localizing jobs in the private sector.

Public discussions at the Council's 53rd annual session included the conditions of persons with disabilities, the challenges facing this group, and the measures and plans required to guarantee their full legal rights, particularly in education and employment.

The Shura Council also discussed agricultural support provided to local farms and its contribution to enhancing food security, as well as the impact of teachers on instilling values of national identity. It also submitted a proposal regarding services and privileges provided to the elderly.

This legislative session witnessed the Council submitting proposals to the esteemed government, including a set of views and recommendations on the topics and issues discussed by the Council, with the aim of meeting citizens' aspirations and ambitions within a framework of cooperation and integration with the esteemed government.

In addition, and within the framework of its constitutional powers, the Shura Council is responsible for discussing and approving the state's general budget, as the budget is not considered effective unless it is approved by the Council, in accordance with the Constitution. HE Minister of Finance provided a comprehensive explanation of the draft state budget and answered questions and inquiries from Council members regarding the chapters and sectors of the general budget.

During this session, the Shura Council discussed and approved several draft laws, including a draft law amending some provisions of Law No. 15 of 2011 on combating human trafficking, the draft state budget for the 2025 fiscal year, and a draft law approving them, a draft law amending some provisions of Law No. 16 of 2018 regulating non-Qatari ownership and use of real estate, a draft law on supporting innovation and scientific research, and other draft laws.

During this legislative session, the Council also hosted a number of ministers and senior state officials, where the discussions and presentations they gave focused on government plans, strategies and initiatives in light of national development strategies, particularly the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030. The Shura Council is keen to monitor government performance and present proposals and visions to enhance executive plans to achieve citizens' aspirations, in line with the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, which place citizens at the core of its priorities.

In this context, the Council discussed strategic plans and initiatives in the sectors of education, labor, municipality, environment and climate change, public health, trade and industry, endowments and Islamic affairs, social development and family, culture, transportation, communications and information technology, tourism, civil service and government development, and public works. Additionally, the Council reviewed the efforts of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, planning, and other related areas.

The proposals and recommendations made by members of the Shura Council on various topics and issues discussed throughout this legislative session reflected the Council's keenness to follow up on government efforts to implement development plans and strategies in a way that achieves the directives of the wise leadership and meets the aspirations of citizens. The complementary relationship between the Council and the esteemed government was one of the most prominent factors contributing to these achievements.

The Council affirms and truly embodies its commitment to fulfilling citizens' aspirations and the country's supreme interests, making it a valuable supporter of the esteemed government in carrying out its duties in various fields.