His Highness the Amir inaugurates the second session of the Shura Council

25 October 2022

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, inaugurated the second session of the first legislative term of the Shura Council, which coincides with the Council’s 51st annual session. 

His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani attended the inauguration, in addition to the Amir’s Personal Representative HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani and HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al Thani. 

His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, also attended the ceremony along with a number of other Sheikhs, ministers, heads of diplomatic missions and dignitaries in the State of Qatar. 

On this occasion, His Highness the Amir delivered a speech expressing his appreciation to the members of the Shura Council for their relentless efforts and public service in light of the preparations being made to host the World Cup. 

His Highness the Amir highlighted that the world’s attention is now focused on the event and Qatar as the host country, a fact that emphasises the significance of this sporting, and more importantly humanitarian event. 

Addressing members of the Shura Council, His Highness the Amir discussed the Qatari economy, indicating that the State’s national GDP has increased by 4.3% during the first half of 2022. 

His Highness the Amir said that despite the negative impact of recent international events on economies across the world, Qatar’s economy remains strong based on reliable international ratings as the State looks to a stable future ahead. 

The State of Qatar is working to achieve the country’s comprehensive development and in this ultimate goal continues to steadily fulfil its requirements at all levels in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, stressed His Highness the Amir. 

Regarding the criticism that the State of Qatar has been subjected to since it won the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, His Highness said: “Since we won the honour of hosting the World Cup, Qatar has been subjected to an unprecedented campaign that no host country has ever faced. We initially dealt with the matter in good faith and even considered some of the criticism as positive and useful.” 

“But it soon became clear to us that the campaign tends to continue and expand to include fabrications and double standards that were so ferocious that it has unfortunately prompted many people to question the real reasons and motives behind this campaign,” His Highness added. 

In his address to the members of the Shura Council, His Highness also noted that countries sharing friendly relations with Qatar have “put their capabilities at our disposal,” adding that this is part of the goal of such events in encouraging cooperation, fraternity and a positive exchange of experiences. 

His Highness noted that the State will focus its public spending on the Third National Development Strategy’s projects and programmes, which support vital sectors with higher economic returns and diversify public revenue sources to achieve financial sustainability. The reason for this lies in safeguarding the public budget against the risks of energy price fluctuations. 

His Highness also stated that the main objective remains to focus on building the human being, the responsible citizen who is able to serve as a foundation for all of this, adding that Qatar “will continue to promote sources of our strength and build our capabilities in areas such as professional media, higher education, knowledge production, investment,” conflict mediation and resolution as well as hosting of major international events.