HE the Shura Council Speaker, Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, has underlined that Qatar’s accomplishments in various fields under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and its prestigious status are evidence of the sound approach adopted by the late Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani; the solid foundation upon which the pillars of the state were built; and the high values, morals and principles that the Founder instilled in this good land and guided by grandparents and fathers until they became a distinctive feature of this loyal people, a source of their pride and an incentive to give for the sake of the homeland and its elevation and progress.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of Qatar National Day, HE the Shura Council Speaker said that every year His Highness the Amir honours the Shura Council and directs, through the Council, his comprehensive speech that clarifies the achievements; defines the policies, internally and externally; confirms the positions and draws the features of the next phase, its requirements, tools, plans and the programmes necessary to implement its objectives.
At the forefront of the issues included in the Amir’s speech this year was his announcement to hold Shura Council elections in October next year, noting that the principle of Shura is a fundamental principle in the national march, which the Founder had been keen on since the establishment of the modern state and was one of the basic pillars upon which the state was established.
HE al-Mahmoud highlighted some of the Shura Council’s achievements during its last session.
He noted that the Shura Council, in co-operation with the esteemed government, completed all draft laws and decrees that were referred to it, which exceeded 20 draft laws and decrees in the fields of economy, the provision of the legislative environment for internal and external investment, and encouraging and improving the business environment, especially the law organising the partnership between the government and the private sectors, in addition to other draft laws related to food security, health, transportation, the organisation of press and media work and others, as well as other issues of concern to the citizens, some of which were discussed by the Council in the presence of a number of ministers according to their competences.
At the international level, HE the Speaker noted many significant achievements, most importantly the election of Qatar, represented by the Shura Council Speaker, as President of the World Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption and the transfer of the organisation’s secretariat to Doha; and the signing of an agreement between Qatar, represented by the Shura Council, and the United Nations, represented by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), to establish the UNOCT Programme Office which is concerned with parliamentary engagement in preventing and combating terrorism, to be headquartered in Qatar and its activities cover the parliaments of the world.
HE al-Mahmoud underlined that these achievements reflect the confidence of the international community in Qatar, and its appreciation for the efforts exerted by His Highness the Amir in combating terrorism and addressing its roots and causes.
Among other international accomplishments, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) recently chose the Shura Council as a venue to launch a book marking its 130th anniversary.
In addition, the Shura Council signed many memorandums of understanding with regional and international parliamentary organisations and parliaments of a number of friendly countries, aiming at promoting co-operation and enhancing the role of parliamentary diplomacy, he said.
HE the Shura Council Speaker said that the celebration this year comes while the state is confronting the Covid-19 pandemic, praising in this regard the efforts exerted by the leadership and all concerned state agencies, especially the medical cadres, and the pursuant of the most effective means to confront the pandemic and provide all necessary needs to mitigate its effects.
He also noted the spirit of solidarity that characterised the Qatari society in its response to the pandemic, which was based on the virtuous values and lofty morals that the Founder instilled in this country and passed down to generation after generation.
On the slogan of the National Day this year “We praise you, the Lord of the Throne”, HE the Speaker said that it contains expressive words with deep connotations that reflect the lofty morals and the firm principles of the leadership and people of Qatar.
In conclusion, HE al-Mahmoud called for continued adherence to the principles, ideas, methodology and values of the Founder, which include willpower, sincerity of patriotism, clarity of vision, and the concern for the homeland’s dignity, sovereignty and independence.