Muscat: The Shura Council, during a media briefing held today at the Council premises, reviewed the most important works and achievements in legislative action during the first half of the Tenth Term. Khalid Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council, stated that the Council operates within clear mandates that contribute to advancing the development process in the Sultanate of Oman and enhancing its legislative structure to align with national visions and aspirations.
According to Oman News Agency, Al Maawali added that integration and partnership in national decision-making is an approach the Council relies upon in its relationship with the Council of Ministers, and which it embodies in its work with the State Council, contributing to the achievement of the public good. He explained that the Council’s annual media briefing reflects the important role of the media in conveying updates on the Council’s work, including discussions of various issues through the provision of comprehensive data and indicators. He concluded by affirming that the Council monitors various societal issues and is keen to present recommendations that contribute to resolving social and economic challenges.
For his part, Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary-General of the Shura Council, gave a visual presentation addressing the Shura Council’s legislative and oversight mandates as defined by the Basic Statute of the State and the Oman Council Law. Al Nadabi reviewed the main indicators and figures regarding the Council’s efforts during the first half of the Tenth Term, covering the first and second ordinary sessions. The Council held 26 ordinary sessions during the first half of the Tenth Term, during which it discussed a number of draft laws and oversight tools, as well as ministerial statements from several Ministries.
In the legislative aspect, he indicated that the Council completed 14 draft laws, 13 of which were issued by Royal Decrees. During the first and second sessions of the current term, the Council submitted approximately 466 oversight instruments, including questions, requests for briefing, and urgent statements on various national issues. The Council’s permanent committees held more than 211 meetings, during which they completed 255 topics. He affirmed the Council’s keenness to enhance awareness, communication, and community partnership, adding that the Council’s annual media briefing constitutes a space to emphasize integration and communication with the media, opening channels for dialogue to deliver the Council’s message to the community.
The annual media briefing included a discussion session for the Chairpersons of the Council’s permanent committees, which provided clarifications on the roles of the committees in studying draft laws, reviewing agreements referred by the government, and following up on the implementation of development programs and plans through various parliamentary tools, in addition to reviewing the committees’ efforts in reviewing draft laws and hosting relevant authorities to discuss a number of priority national issues. The media briefing was accompanied by an exhibition showcasing the most important works and achievements of the Council during the first half of the Tenth Term, which included the main data and indicators from the Council’s work in studying legislation and discussing issues related to citizens.
It is worth noting that the briefing comes within the framework of the Council’s continuous efforts to strengthen communication with various media outlets, its commitment to building bridges of cooperation with different segments, and enhancing the approach of community participation to serve the principle of transparency and boost confidence in institutional work.