Shura Council holds weekly session

The Shura Council convened for its regular weekly meeting on Monday at its headquarters in Doha. The session was presided over by Speaker of the Shura Council, Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim.

The opening remarks of the meeting praised the Emir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, for his attendance at the 8th Summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum held in Moscow, Russia. The Council highlighted the summit's significance in enhancing global energy security.

The Shura Council also lauded HH the Amir's meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. These discussions focused on regional and international issues, particularly energy security and regional stability.

The Council commended HH the Amir's working visit to Uzbekistan and his meeting with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. These interactions were noted for reinforcing bilateral relations and promoting joint cooperation.

The Shura Council strongly condemned the attack on a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier sailing in the Arabian Gulf. The Council emphasized the severity of the attack, which jeopardizes maritime navigation safety and global energy supply security. The Council reaffirmed its backing for all state measures to protect its properties, national interests, and the safety of its vessels and crews, in line with international law and the UN Charter.

HE Secretary-General of the Shura Council, Nayef bin Mohammed Al Mahmoud, read the meeting's agenda prior to the approval of the previous session's minutes.

The Council examined a draft law on cloud computing, referred by the government, and decided to forward it to the Health, General Services, and Environment Committee for review and submission of its findings to the Council.

Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim informed the Council that the draft general state budget for 2027, along with the draft law for its approval, had been sent to the Economic and Financial Affairs Committee, per Article 135 of the Council's Internal Regulations. The regulation mandates the Speaker to refer the draft budget to the committee immediately upon receipt and to inform the Council during the next session.

The Shura Council reviewed a proposal from the government aimed at curbing childhood obesity. The Council opted to refer the matter to the Health, General Services, and Environment Committee for study and the submission of findings to the Council. The meeting also addressed the participation of the Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti, in the 300th Session of the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union held in Geneva, Switzerland, in June.

Additionally, the Council reviewed a report on the participation of Shura Council member, HE Amina bint Youssef Al Jaidah, in the Palestine Committee meeting of the IPU, which took place virtually in June.