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.
These committees, according to the organisational structure of the Shura Council, are 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 the Qatar News Agency (QNA), the committee chairs confirmed that the diligent and intensive work undertaken reflects the Council’s interest in the state’s priorities and the diverse needs of society.
Social Affairs, Labour and Housing Committee chairman Dr Sultan bin Hassan al-Dhabit al-Dosari said that the committee held 20 meetings during the past session, during which it discussed topics that affect the quality of life of various segments of society.
He 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.
Dr al-Dosari said that the committee held 12 meetings to study this topic with feedback and consultations from officials, stakeholders, interested parties and educators in various governmental and private entities.
Health, General Services and the Environment Committee chairman 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 government and proposed laws submitted by members that fall within those areas.
He told the QNA that the committee held 19 meetings dedicated to discussing and studying the topics referred to it by the Council in detail.
Meanwhile, 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.
Committee chairman 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.
He 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 to the government to take the necessary legislative measures.
Al-Khater noted that the committee held 10 meetings during the current session to study the topics referred to it.
Regarding the country’s interest in youth development, as part of Qatar National Vision 2030, the Shura Council reviewed a request in December 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 Education, Culture, Sport and Information Committee for study.
Committee chairman Khalid bin Ahmed al-Obaidan told the 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.
He said the meetings were attended by representatives from the Ministry of Sports and Youth and sports clubs, along with administrators, activists and former athletes.
Al-Obaidan added that the committee considered topics related to various disciplines, including scientific research, education at various stages, culture and media, sports and youth, and heritage and antiquities.
He said that two statements from the government were referred to the committee, 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.
During the Shura Council’s first regular session of the second legislative term, corresponding to the 54th annual session, the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee completed its review of eight important draft laws.
The most notable was a proposed law on the digital protection of children, submitted by a number of Council members.
Committee chairman 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.
He added that the 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 jurisdiction.
In a statement to the QNA, committee chairman 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.
He noted 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.
Al-Mana said that the committee held 11 meetings during the session.
These began with dedicated meetings to review the draft State General Budget for the 2026 fiscal year and the accompanying draft law approving it.
He 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.
Al-Mana 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, al-Mana said that the recommendation included a number of proposals and observations. – QNA