The Shura Council refers 21 topics to upcoming sessions chaired by Al-Sheikh

The General Assembly of the Shura Council held its tenth meeting as part of the second year of its ninth session, chaired by His Excellency the Speaker of the Council, Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Sheikh, at the Council's headquarters in Riyadh. The meeting was attended by prominent Council leaders, including His Excellency the Deputy Speaker, Dr. Meshaal bin Fahm Al-Sulami, Her Excellency the Assistant Speaker, Dr. Hanan bint Abdulrahim Al-Ahmadi, His Excellency the Secretary-General, Mr. Mohammed bin Dakhel Al-Mutairi, and the heads of the Council's specialized committees.

Crucial decisions and diverse files

During the meeting, the General Assembly reviewed the items on its agenda and decided to refer 21 important topics to the agenda of upcoming council sessions for discussion and voting. This step comes within the framework of the legislative and oversight role undertaken by the council to enhance government performance and develop the legislative system in the Kingdom.

Among the most prominent files referred was the annual report of the King Salman Park Foundation, a project considered a cornerstone of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 within the Quality of Life Program initiatives. Discussing this report is of particular importance given that the park is a massive environmental and recreational project aimed at increasing per capita green spaces and improving the urban environment in Riyadh, reflecting the Council's commitment to monitoring major projects and ensuring their progress according to established timelines.

Strengthening international relations and economic partnerships

The meeting was not limited to domestic affairs; it also included referrals to a number of draft bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding with sister and friendly countries. These agreements cover vital areas including:

• The tourism sector: to support the growth of tourism as an alternative economic resource to oil.
• Economic and legal cooperation: to enhance the investment environment and develop judicial frameworks.
• Air transport services: To expand the Kingdom's air connectivity network with the world.
• Social services: to exchange experiences in the field of human development.

Institutional context and the importance of the oversight role

This meeting comes within the context of the ongoing work of the Shura Council in its ninth session, where the General Assembly plays a pivotal role in filtering topics and preparing them for presentation. Reviewing the annual reports of government agencies and public institutions is one of the Council's most important oversight tools, as these reports allow the Council to evaluate performance, identify obstacles, and submit recommendations directly to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, thus contributing to improving the efficiency of government agencies.

Furthermore, the ratification of international agreements goes through the Council’s channels to ensure their compatibility with the Kingdom’s higher interests and systems, thus giving a sound legal and legislative character to the Kingdom’s foreign actions and its growing diplomatic and economic relations.