Doha, July 20 (QNA) - The six permanent committees of the Shura Council 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 to it 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, according to the organizational structure of the Shura Council, 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 special statements to Qatar News Agency (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. The committees reviewed a number of important draft laws that concern and affect the daily lives of citizens in a clear translation of the principle of cooperation and integration between the legislative and executive authorities.

HE Chairman of the Social Affairs, Labour and Housing Committee 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.

However, Dr. Al Dosari noted that the request for a general discussion regarding the importance of the parents' role in raising children, which was referred to the committee for study, occupied the largest share of the committee’s work during the aforementioned session. His Excellency explained that the committee held 12 meetings to study this topic from all its aspects and to formulate its themes accurately, with many officials, stakeholders, interested parties and educators in various governmental and private entities, which enabled it to complete the study of the topic from its different angles.

HE Chairman pointed out that the Council’s interest in this topic stems from the pivotal importance of the family as the center of society, and at the same time embodies the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, which emphasize the role of parents in raising children, preserving national identity and strengthening family cohesion.

In turn, HE Chairman of the Health, General Services and the Environment Committee Abdullah bin Nasser bin Turki Al Subaie said that 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 HE the Chairman refers to the committee for study and opinion.

His Excellency revealed to QNA that the committee’s work during the first regular session of the second legislative term witnessed great momentum, represented in studying a number of important topics and files on the legislative and oversight levels. He noted that the committee held 19 meetings dedicated to discussing and studying the topics referred to it by the Council in detail.

In addition, the draft law promulgating the Traffic Law, which was approved by the Shura Council in its amended form in its final session of the last legislative term, is one of the most important and prominent topics studied by the Council’s Internal and External Affairs Committee during this term.

HE Chairman of the Internal and External Affairs Committee Yousef bin Ali Al Khater stressed the importance of the Traffic Law, especially in light of the rapid and significant development in the country’s infrastructure, which necessitates raising the level of security and safety on the roads, ensuring smooth traffic flow, and protecting lives and property.

His Excellency drew attention to another important topic studied by the committee during the previous session, which is the draft law on drones, which the Council approved in its amended form in its regular session on April 14, and referred it to the esteemed government to take the necessary legislative measures.

He noted that the committee held 10 different meetings during the current session to study the topics referred to it. He expressed appreciation of the integration between the legislative and executive authorities in the country, which had the greatest impact on the achievements made.

Regarding the country's interest in youth development, as part of Qatar National Vision 2030, the Shura Council reviewed a request in Dec. 29, 2025 for a general discussion submitted by a number of members regarding the enhancement of the social, cultural and ethical role of sports clubs and their activities, and referred it to the the Education, Culture, Sport and Information Committee to study it and submit its report to the Council.

HE Chairman of the Education, Culture, Sport and Information Committee Khalid bin Ahmed Al Obaidan told QNA that 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.

His Excellency explained that these meetings were attended by representatives from the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and from sports clubs, along with a number of administrators, activists and former athletes.

HE the Chairman pointed out that the committee considered topics related to various disciplines, including: scientific research; education of all kinds and stages; culture and media; sports and youth; and heritage and antiquities. Within this context, two statements from the esteemed government were referred to it, the first of which relates to the proposal expressed by the Shura Council regarding the role of teachers in instilling the values ​​of national identity, and the other regarding the proposal submitted by the Council concerning the cultural legacy project for hosting the FIFA 2022 World Cup Qatar.

HE Chairman praised the close cooperation between the Council and the esteemed government, and the fruitful interaction between them through the proposals put forward by the Council with enthusiasm, and the government’s keenness to provide it with follow-up reports. 

During the First Ordinary Session of the Second Legislative Term, corresponding to the Fifty-Fourth Annual Session, the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee of the Shura Council completed its review of eight important draft laws covering a range of areas. Among the most notable was a proposed law on the digital protection of children, submitted by a number of Council members.

HE Chairman of the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee Khalid bin Ghanim Al Ali emphasized 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.

His Excellency also reviewed the other draft laws referred by the Government and examined by the Committee during the session. He pointed out that the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee held 14 meetings during the session and conducted comprehensive and in-depth reviews of all draft laws referred to it, with the participation of specialists and officials from the various relevant authorities.

Meanwhile, the Shura Council's Financial and Economic Affairs Committee examined six matters within its areas of jurisdiction, as specified in the Council's Rules of Procedure, during the Council's previous ordinary session.

In a statement to QNA, HE Chairman of the Committee 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.

His Excellency explained that the Committee held 11 meetings during the session to examine the various matters referred to it and to prepare reports on them. These began with dedicated meetings to review the draft State General Budget for the 2026 fiscal year and the accompanying draft law approving it.

The Chairman of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee also reviewed the other draft laws examined by the Committee during the session, including a draft law amending certain provisions of Decree-Law No. (24) of 2019 on the Regulation and Management of the Strategic Stockpile of Food and Consumer Goods. He stressed the importance of this draft law, noting that it serves as a fundamental pillar in strengthening the State's food security and ensuring the sustainable and proactive availability of essential goods under all circumstances, particularly during emergencies and crises.

Regarding the Committee's review of the Government's response to the Shura Council's recommendation on supporting national and foreign investment, he explained that the recommendation included a number of important proposals and observations. He commended the Government's positive engagement with the Council's recommendations, as well as the measures it had taken and the initiatives it had implemented to promote investment and economic development, which constitute one of the fundamental pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

The achievements of the permanent committees during the First Ordinary Session of the Second Legislative Term, corresponding to the Fifty-Fourth Annual Session of the Shura Council, undoubtedly reflect outstanding work and dedicated effort. They demonstrate the committees' seriousness and commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities to the highest standards, thereby supporting the Council's work and enhancing the quality of its legislative and oversight outputs.

These committees have also served as an effective institutional mechanism for engaging with issues of public concern and contributing to the realization of society's aspirations within an integrated framework founded on dialogue, thorough study, and sound planning. (QNA)