The Shura Council State of Qatar

HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim highly appreciated HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's support to the Council, to perform its duties and responsibilities with dedication and sincerity.

This came in a speech delivered by His Excellency during the closing meeting of the second ordinary session of the first legislative term, corresponding to the Council's 51st annual session, on Monday at Tamim bin Hamad Hall.

In his name and on behalf of the Shura Council members, His Excellency expressed the highest appreciation for HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, for the special care and trust that His Highness attaches to the Shura Council, and His Highnesss permanent support for the Council, which had significant impact in facilitating the Council's performance of its duties and responsibilities with all diligence, dedication and sincerity.

The Council concludes today a continuous march of effort, perseverance and giving, in the second session of the first legislative term, during which the Council held 35 plenary sessions, two extraordinary sessions, and 69 meetings of the Council's permanent and temporary committees, HE Al Ghanim said.

His Excellency praised the positive and fruitful cooperation between the Council and the esteemed government, and its consideration of the Council's proposals and follow-up on their implementation, appreciating its response to the Council's invitations to attend its representatives, including ministers and officials, in plenary sessions and committee meetings, to present the efforts of the ministries and their strategic plans, and to answer members' questions and inquiries.

HE the Speaker of the Shura Council reviewed the Council's achievements during the second session, indicating that it was full of discussion and study of many issues within the framework of the Council's terms of reference, according to what was decided by the country's constitution, which includes legislation, approving the State's general budget, and exercising control over the executive authority.

In this context, His Excellency said that the Council was keen to discuss the draft state general budget in detail, and the Council also approved nine draft laws after discussing and studying them extensively by the various Council committees that were referred to it.

During his speech, His Excellency indicated that the Council discussed eight draft laws amending the provisions of some laws, in addition to six requests for general discussion submitted by the Council members and six Shura Council proposals to the esteemed government.

His Excellency appreciated the efforts of the Shura Council members, which had a major role in what was achieved for the council during its second session. Addressing the members, His Excellency praised their cooperation, positive interaction, tolerance, the spirit of brotherhood that they showed, and acceptance of each other's opinions, leaving the greatest impact on the success and of the council.

HE the Speaker of the Shura Council noted that the cooperation and understanding among the members of the Council was evident during the discussion of the draft internal regulations of the Council, which took place during three plenary sessions, two of which were extraordinary.

In this context, His Excellency indicated that the draft internal regulations were a culmination of the Council's efforts over the past period, stressing that the regulations will have the greatest impact in supporting and conducting the Council's work in the future.

In another context, His Excellency reviewed the Council's role in the field of parliamentary diplomacy, its active participation in Gulf, Arab, regional and international conferences, seminars and parliamentary meetings, and its hosting of international events concerned with parliamentary affairs.

His Excellency added that during those events, the Council dealt with various issues, reflecting the opinion of the Qatari nationals, and in particular those related to the recurrence of attacks on Islam and its sanctities, and contempt for religions in general, in addition to its support for the Palestinian cause, and its emphasis on human nature and normal values.

The Shura Council also confronted the systematic media campaigns launched against the State of Qatar because of its hosting of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, His Excellency said.

At the end of his speech, His Excellency thanked and appreciated the chairs of the permanent committees and all members of the Council for their appreciated efforts in the plenary sessions and committee meetings, appreciating the positive participation of the Council members in the external parliamentary events.

His Excellency also praised the balanced role played by the print, audio and visual media outlets, and their professionalism in reporting its news, sessions and committee meetings, thanking the Council's General Secretariat and all its employees for their clear contribution to the Council's workflow.

During the session, the Shura Council approved its final account for the year 2022, and the Council's draft budget for the year 2024, after reviewing the report of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee on them.

The Council also approved a draft law regulating fishing ports, in its amended form, and a draft law regulating postal services, as received by the esteemed government, after reviewing the reports of the Public Services and Utilities Committee on them, and discussing the provisions of the two draft laws by Their Excellencies the members of the Council.

The session also witnessed a review of a number of reports on the participation of Their Excellencies members of the Shura Council in regional and international parliamentary meetings and events, and it also approved four requests to extend the work of its permanent committees.

The Council also reviewed a proposed response to the Cabinet's General Secretariat's response to the Shura Council's proposal on marriage-associated aspects.

Acting Secretary-General of the Shura Council read out Amiri Decree No. 33 of 2023 adjourning the second regular session of the first legislative term, corresponding to the 51st annual session of the Shura Council, as of Tuesday, June 27, 2023.