A busy agenda for the Shura Council in its current session
In a move reflecting the dynamism of legislative and oversight work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the General Assembly of the Shura Council held its twelfth meeting as part of the second year of its ninth session. The meeting, held at the Council's headquarters in Riyadh, was chaired by His Excellency the Vice President of the Council, Dr. Mishaal bin Fahm Al-Sulami, and attended by the Assistant President of the Council, Dr. Hanan bint Abdulrahim Al-Ahmadi, the Secretary-General of the Council, Mr. Mohammed bin Dakhel Al-Mutairi, and the heads of the Council's specialized committees. The meeting resulted in a pivotal decision to refer 19 diverse topics to the agenda of the Council's upcoming plenary sessions, in preparation for in-depth discussion and the adoption of necessary recommendations.
General context and the role of the Shura Council in the Saudi system
The Saudi Consultative Assembly (Shura Council), established during the reign of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, is a cornerstone of the state's organizational structure. Although its members are appointed by royal decree, it plays a vital advisory and legislative role. Its responsibilities include reviewing laws, regulations, international treaties and agreements, and concessions, and submitting recommendations regarding them, in addition to discussing annual reports submitted by ministries and other government agencies. These periodic referrals of matters are part of the Council's structured work mechanism, whereby specialized committees study the issues before presenting them to the full Council for a vote, thus ensuring a thorough and comprehensive examination of national issues.
Key files referred: Higher Education and International Cooperation
The referred topics included a set of annual reports from four leading Saudi universities: King Faisal University, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Al-Baha University, and Qassim University, for the academic year 1445 AH (2024 CE). These reports are of paramount importance, as they serve as an indicator of the performance of the higher education sector and its alignment with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which prioritizes human capital development and the transition to a knowledge-based economy. The General Authority of the Council also referred several draft agreements and memoranda of understanding in vital areas such as law and justice, investment, media, and youth and sports, with a number of sister and friendly nations.
The importance and expected impact of these discussions
The significance of this step lies in its paving the way for in-depth discussions that will impact multiple areas. Domestically, reviewing university performance will contribute to developing educational policies and improving the quality of academic output to meet labor market needs. Regionally and internationally, ratifying agreements and memoranda of understanding will enhance the Kingdom's standing as an active partner in the international community, opening new horizons for economic and investment cooperation, exchanging expertise in the judicial and legal fields, and strengthening cultural and youth ties with countries around the world. The Shura Council's decisions on these matters will shape important aspects of the Kingdom's domestic and foreign policies in the coming phase.
