The Shura Council State of Qatar

The Shura Council participated today in the joint GCC seminar for the legislative councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council states, organized by Bahrain’s Council of Representatives in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) via videoconference, under the theme “GCC Digital Economy: Legislation, Infrastructure Development, Enhancing Contribution to GDP, Stimulating Investment, and Promoting the Safety of GCC Society on Digital Platforms.”
The Shura Council was represented at the seminar by H.E. Mr. Issa bin Ahmed Al Nasr, Member of the Shura Council. A number of staff members from the Council’s General Secretariat also attended.
The seminar was held pursuant to a decision by Their Excellencies the Speakers of the Shura, Representatives, National and National Assembly Councils of the GCC states at their 19th regular meeting, hosted by Manama last November, to select the GCC digital economy as the common GCC theme for 2026. The seminar addressed a number of topics, including GCC legislation supporting the establishment of a unified and secure digital environment and an integrated digital economy; legislation supporting digital investment, innovation and technology entrepreneurship; and the legislative and oversight role of GCC councils in cybersecurity and the protection of digital society. It also examined the development of an integrated GCC legislative framework for digital trade, data, digital identity and electronic transactions.
During the seminar, H.E. Mr. Issa bin Ahmed Al Nasr presented the Shura Council’s working paper, which stressed the importance of strengthening GCC integration and coordination in legislation and policies related to the digital economy, in a manner that contributes to creating an integrated digital environment, facilitating electronic trade and transactions, supporting investment, innovation and technology entrepreneurship, as well as strengthening cybersecurity and protecting society from risks associated with cyberspace.
The working paper highlighted the State of Qatar’s growing focus on developing an integrated digital economy, noting that the Digital Agenda 2030 serves as the national roadmap for digital transformation and is based on a number of strategic areas, including digital infrastructure, digital technologies, digital innovation, the digital economy and digital society. These areas support the State’s efforts to promote economic growth and competitiveness and capitalize on the opportunities offered by modern technologies. The paper also reviewed the State of Qatar’s efforts to develop the legislative and regulatory environment for the digital economy, regulate digital trade and transactions, protect data and digital identity, stimulate digital investment, innovation and technology entrepreneurship, and strengthen cybersecurity and digital safety.
As part of the working paper, the Shura Council presented a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening the GCC digital economy and moving from national efforts toward building an integrated GCC digital ecosystem. These included enhancing the harmonization of digital legislation through the preparation of a guiding framework and the establishment of a GCC observatory to monitor international developments; strengthening shared infrastructure to facilitate digital economic activities and increase investor confidence; and creating a flexible investment environment that supports start-ups and facilitates the growth of innovative enterprises.
The recommendations also included developing and implementing digital awareness and literacy programs to raise awareness of digital safety, cybersecurity and responsible use; establishing common standards for artificial intelligence and the responsible use of data; encouraging research and innovation, the localization of technology and investment in artificial intelligence; and periodically reviewing and updating digital legislation and policies in view of the rapid developments in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, financial technologies and other emerging technologies. The recommendations further called for accelerating the establishment of a GCC legislative observatory for the digital economy tasked with monitoring and comparing digital legislation and regulations across GCC states, tracking international legislative developments, and identifying areas requiring further GCC harmonization.
The working paper concluded that the GCC states, including Qatar, have made tangible progress in legislation, infrastructure and digital services. However, the next phase requires a transition from national digital transformation toward GCC integration.