Doha, June 15 (QNA) - The Shura Council convened on Monday at the Tamim bin Hamad Hall at its headquarters, chaired by HE the Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim.
At the outset of the session, the Council welcomed the declaration of an agreement reached between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding a memorandum of understanding aimed at addressing outstanding issues between the two sides, including guarantees for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Council expressed its hope that this agreement would contribute to strengthening security and stability, consolidating sustainable peace, and serving the interests of the peoples of the region and the world.
The Council also praised the efforts undertaken by the State of Qatar, led by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, in support of dialogue and rapprochement between the parties.
It highlighted Qatar's active role in strengthening regional security and stability and in advancing peaceful solutions to outstanding issues through dialogue and peaceful means, in accordance with the principles of international law and good-neighborliness. These efforts have received broad commendations on both regional and global stages.
Subsequently, HE the Secretary-General Nayef bin Mohammed Al Mahmoud read the order paper, with the Council approving the minutes of its previous meeting.
The Council weighed in on a report by the Committee on Health, Public Services and Environment Affairs pertaining to a request for a public discussion submitted by a number of esteemed members concerning childhood obesity in the State of Qatar.
During the discussion of the report, HE Al Ghanim emphasized that childhood obesity has become an increasingly serious health and societal challenge and a genuine threat to the health of future generations, given its health, psychological, and social impacts that extend into later stages of life.
His Excellency noted that the State of Qatar, led by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, places great importance on human health and quality of life, in line with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, which focuses on building a society in which individuals enjoy physical and mental well-being.
He also highlighted the major national efforts undertaken in this field through varied health strategies, programs, and awareness initiatives.
The Speaker further explained that despite the efforts made by the State to address this issue, the global spread of the phenomenon and its continuing challenges require concerted efforts and stronger complementary roles among all relevant stakeholders.
He stressed that the Council considers it its responsibility to support national efforts aimed at reducing the prevalence of obesity in society, particularly among children, and strengthening preventive measures, in order to protect the health of younger generations and build healthier generations capable of contributing to national development.
For his part, HE Chairman of the Committee on Health, Public Services and Environment Affairs, Abdullah bin Nasser bin Turki Al Subaie, stated during his presentation of the report that the committee held several meetings to discuss the issue of childhood obesity.
It reviewed the views of competent authorities, as well as relevant data and studies, and hosted a number of officials and representatives of concerned entities to examine the phenomenon, its causes and consequences, and to explore effective ways to reduce it and promote healthy lifestyles among children.
He added that the committee concluded, in light of its findings, the importance of strengthening integration and coordination among relevant entities, developing preventive and awareness policies and programs, supporting initiatives aimed at embedding healthy dietary behaviors and increasing physical activity among children, and making use of modern technological and digital tools in monitoring and awareness.
This would contribute to reducing obesity, improving health indicators, and raising quality of life.
Following thorough discussions and an exchange of views, the Council decided to submit a recommendation to the Government aimed at reducing childhood obesity.
The recommendation included several key pillars aimed at strengthening national efforts in this regard, including the establishment of a national committee on childhood obesity to unify national efforts, monitor the implementation of relevant plans and strategies, enhance coordination among competent authorities, propose preventive and therapeutic initiatives and programs, and follow up on performance indicators and challenges associated with the phenomenon.
It also called for regulatory measures to limit the promotion of foods with low nutritional value and high levels of sugar, fat, and sodium through digital platforms, media outlets, and food delivery platforms, and strengthening oversight of marketing campaigns directed at children.
It further included establishing a mechanism for classifying and monitoring foods according to their nutritional value, requiring food establishments, restaurants, and delivery companies to place explanatory labels on products targeted at children, and limiting marketing practices that encourage the consumption of unhealthy products.
The recommendation also included regulating the timing of food delivery services in a way that contributes to reducing unhealthy consumption patterns, developing physical education and sports programs in schools, increasing opportunities for physical activity using school facilities, and strengthening cooperation with sports clubs and youth centers.
It also called for launching school initiatives aimed at reducing the consumption of sugary drinks and unhealthy meals, providing appropriate healthy alternatives, and intensifying programs and measures in schools with higher rates of obesity among students.
آ  The recommendation further called for expanding health supervision of school canteens across educational institutions and applying unified nutritional standards to ensure the provision of healthy and balanced food options for students.
It also included the establishment of a national training program to build the capacities of school staff in nutritional education, behavioral modification, communication with families, and referral and follow-up mechanisms, thereby enhancing their role in preventing obesity.
In addition, it called for the establishment of an electronic system linked to a digital platform to monitor students' health indicators and enable parents and relevant authorities to follow up on students' health status, as well as the development of digital applications that encourage children to engage in physical activity and adopt healthy lifestyles.
During the session, HE the Speaker informed the Council that a proposal concerning the regulation of wedding ceremonies and the reduction of accompanying practices, submitted by a number of esteemed members, had been referred to the Committee on Social Affairs, Labor and Housing for further perusal and submission of its report and recommendations to the Council.
On another note, the Council reviewed a report on the participation of its delegation in the 16th session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly and its accompanying meetings held in Manama last January, as well as a report on participation in the 2026 Parliamentary Hearing of the Inter-Parliamentary Union held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in February.
As the session wrapped up, HE the Speaker briefed the Council on his participation in the 39th Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, held virtually under the theme "An Arab Parliamentary Vision for a More Stable and Sustainable Future".
He noted that he delivered a speech stressing the importance of strengthening joint Arab action, developing mechanisms for coordination and integration among Arab countries, and consolidating security and stability as a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable development.
This is alongside the importance of continuing Arab parliamentary coordination in defending Arab causes and enhancing their presence in regional and international forums. (QNA)