Doha: Ahead of its final meeting next week, the Shura Council concludes the first ordinary session of its second legislative term, corresponding to its 54th annual session, marking numerous significant achievements in both its legislative and oversight capacities. These milestones align closely with Qatar National Vision 2030 and reflect the core interests and aspirations of Qatari citizens.
According to Qatar News Agency, during this session, specifically up to June 29, the Shura Council held 36 plenary meetings. Throughout these sessions, Their Excellencies members extensively studied, debated, and reviewed several major draft laws and requests for general discussion introduced by council members. These discussions addressed critical issues impacting society across healthcare, education, culture, public services, and societal values, alongside reviewing numerous reports submitted by various council committees.
The Council also received progress reports, presentations, and strategic plans from several government ministries, institutions, and agencies during sessions hosting Their Excellencies ministers and senior officials. Additionally, members thoroughly reviewed and debated decree-laws and a series of formal proposals. Meanwhile, the Council's various standing committees held numerous meetings to address vital issues within their respective jurisdictions.
In the field of parliamentary diplomacy, the Council maintained an active presence in regional and international parliamentary conferences and meetings. Most notably, a high-level delegation led by HE the Speaker of the Shura Council, Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, participated in the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held in Istanbul, Turkiye.
A key outcome of this participation was the overwhelming victory of an emergency item submitted by Qatar, represented by the Shura Council. The Qatari proposal was successfully added to the agenda of the IPU's 152nd Assembly, securing 1,316 votes in favor, with only three votes against and 51 abstentions-easily clearing the required two-thirds majority by a wide margin.
The adopted emergency item, titled "The Urgent Need for Concerted Parliamentary Efforts to Preserve Ceasefire Agreements and Support the Establishment of Peace in the Middle East and the World," focuses on mobilizing international parliamentary support to sustain ceasefires, advance peace processes, guarantee civilian protection, and push for sustainable political resolutions to ongoing conflicts. Key areas of focus include ensuring freedom of navigation and keeping international waterways open, particularly amid escalating global crises and their humanitarian consequences. This achievement underscores the growing influence and effective presence of Qatari parliamentary diplomacy in championing Arab and Islamic causes. It also reflects the efficacy of Qatar's collaborative efforts with partner nations to drive impactful collective approaches to international crises.
Continuing its active international engagements, a Shura Council delegation led by HE the Speaker of the Shura Council, Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, recently participated in the 20th session of the Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) in Baku, Azerbaijan, as well as the Eighth Conference of the Arab Parliament and Speakers of Arab Councils and Parliaments in Cairo. The "Baku Declaration" issued at the conclusion of the PUIC conference, along with the resolutions of the Cairo conference, commended the mediation roles played by the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which facilitated the memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to address outstanding issues.
Furthermore, during the same period, the Shura Council hosted various international dignitaries, delegations, and parliamentary meetings, including the 298th session of the IPU Executive Committee last January.
On the legislative front, ahead of its final session scheduled for Monday, July 6, the Council completed the review and study of 21 draft laws. Its oversight activities during this term included addressing four requests for general discussion and three formal proposals.
The achievements of the Shura Council in the first regular session of the second legislative term, corresponding to the 54th annual session, in the legislative field, included the draft general budget of the State for the 2026 fiscal year, a draft law approving the general budget of the State, a draft law amending some provisions of Law No. 3 of 2016 regarding the regulation of birth and death registration, another amending some provisions of Law No. 25 of 2018 regarding excise tax, as well as a draft law amending some provisions of Decree-Law No. 24 of 2019 regarding the regulation and management of the strategic stock of food and consumer goods (as amended), a draft law amending some provisions of Law No. 24 of 2010 issuing the law of pesticides in the GCC countries (as amended), and a draft law amending some provisions of Law No. (24) of 2006, issuing the law of fertilizers and soil conditioners in the GCC countries.
It also included a draft law on international treaties and agreements (as amended), a draft law amending some provisions of the Labor Law issued by Law No. 14 of 2004 (as amended), a draft law on drones (as amended), a draft law amending some provisions of Law No. 4 of 2008 on real estate leases, a draft law issuing the unified system (law) for voluntary work in the GCC countries, another amending some provisions of Law No. 11 of 2016 on the State Audit Bureau, as well as a draft law on owners' associations (as amended) and a draft law on measurement (as amended).
In the same context, the Council completed its study of a draft law amending certain provisions of Law No. 22 of 2017 regulating real estate brokerage, a draft law on animal health (as amended), and a draft law on food safety (as amended). This was accompanied by a legislative proposal regarding the digital protection of children, a draft law on animal welfare, a draft law on the monitoring of gas stations, and another draft law amending certain provisions of the Civil and Commercial Procedure Law enacted by Law No. 13 of 1990 (as amended).
On the oversight front, the Shura Council reviewed several government statements and examined the achievements and strategic plans of various ministries. It also reviewed and took note of numerous reports, requests for general discussion, and formal proposals addressing an array of public interest issues.
In this area, achievements included general discussion requests on the critical role of parents in child-rearing, strengthening the social, cultural, and values-based roles of sports clubs, addressing childhood obesity in Qatar, and the regulation and governance of artificial intelligence in the State of Qatar. Oversight achievements also included formal proposals aimed at enhancing parental care and supporting family cohesion, strengthening the social and cultural role of sports clubs, and curbing childhood obesity.
During the session, the Council held six hearings hosting senior officials. HE Minister of Finance, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, attended to present and discuss the state budget for the 2026 fiscal year. HE Secretary-General of the National Planning Council, Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, discussed key strategic pillars related to the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030), including its latest updates and revisions. HE Minister of Justice, Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi, along with several ministry experts, presented the ministry's strategic plan and discussed initiatives across various sectors.
The hearings also hosted HE Minister of Sports and Youth, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani, and ministry specialists, who outlined the Ministry of Sports and Youth Strategy 2023-2030, detailing its programs to develop the sports and youth sectors in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
HE Minister of Public Health, Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, presented the National Health Strategy 2024-2030, highlighting operational directions and initiatives aimed at improving population health and enhancing healthcare system sustainability.
Additionally, the President of the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), Eng. Abdulla bin Ali Al Theyab, alongside agency specialists, reviewed key aspects of the electricity and water sectors, the Qatar National Renewable Energy Strategy, and Kahramaa's plans for supply security, grid efficiency, conservation, digital transformation, and customer services.
Building on these significant achievements, and those realized over previous sessions, the Shura Council continues to carry out its work with determination, confidence and effectiveness, in close cooperation with the government, to advance the country's supreme interests. Its efforts remain focused on supporting the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy, promoting Qatar's continued progress, and giving sustained attention to issues that directly affect citizens and their daily lives. The Council also continues to examine draft legislation that addresses the needs of the public and reflects their priorities and aspirations. In doing so, it is guided by the directives and policy priorities outlined in the annual address delivered by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at the opening of each new session of the Shura Council.