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Doha, Qatar: The Shura Council’s six permanent committees played a central role during the Council’s recently concluded 54th annual session, advancing legislative and oversight work through the review of draft laws, key policy proposals and public interest issues in support of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country’s development priorities.
The committees play an important and pivotal role in the Council’s exercise of its legislative and oversight powers. This includes studying draft laws and proposals, considering proposals with interest, following up on topics referred by the Council, and submitting reports and recommendations regarding them, which supports the comprehensive development process in the country and enhances integration between the legislative and executive authorities, in order to achieve the interest of the nation and the aspirations of the citizens.
These committees include the Social Affairs, Labour and Housing Committee; the Health, General Services and the Environment Committee; the Internal and External Affairs Committee; the Education, Culture, Sport and Information Committee; the Economic and the Financial Affairs Committee; and the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee.
The Shura Council’s first regular session of the second legislative term, corresponding to the 54th annual session, which recently concluded its work, witnessed many important achievements and remarkable activity by the committees, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the interests and aspirations of the citizens.
In statements to QNA, the committee chairmen confirmed that the diligent and intensive work undertaken reflects the Council’s interest in the state’s priorities and the diverse needs of society. Chairman of the Social Affairs, Labour and Housing Committee H E Dr. Sultan bin Hassan Al Dhabit Al Dosari said that the committee held 20 meetings during the past session, during which it discussed a number of vital topics that affect various segments of society in order to enhance the quality of life and keep pace with the requirements of social development.
Chairman of the Health, General Services and the Environment Committee H E Abdullah bin Nasser bin Turki Al Subaie said the committee considers topics related to public health; transportation; municipal affairs and infrastructure; information and communication technology; electricity and water; environment and climate change; and draft laws submitted by the esteemed government and proposed laws submitted by members that fall within those areas, in addition to what the Chairman refers to the committee for study and opinion.
Chairman of the Education, Culture, Sport and Information Committee H E Khalid bin Ahmed Al Obaidan said the committee placed this issue at the top of its priorities and held a series of meetings to study it in depth.
The meetings discussed the best ways to develop the social, cultural and ethical role of sports clubs, and to find the necessary solutions to address the challenges and obstacles that hinder them from fulfilling this role, and to enhance their contribution to serving the community.
Chairman of the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee H E Khalid bin Ghanim Al Maadheed emphasised the importance of the proposal, noting that the rapid digital transformation and the increasing use of digital tools and online platforms by children make it essential to enact effective legislation that protects them and safeguards their well-being from online risks.
Chairman of Shura Council’s Financial and Economic Affairs Committee H E Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana said that approving the State’s General Budget is one of the Council’s principal constitutional responsibilities, as stipulated in the country’s Constitution, noting that the draft State General Budget and the accompanying draft law approving it are among the first items considered by the Council at the beginning of each annual session.
