Riyadh: The first year of the ninth session of the Shura Council was marked by intense legislative and oversight activity, underscoring its pivotal role in the national development process. The council issued a total of 462 decisions on a wide range of topics, which were discussed by its specialized committees over 41 sessions lasting more than 120 hours, during which members made 433 interventions.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the council’s specialized committees held 315 meetings, and the council hosted 860 officials from government agencies. The decisions included 180 related to annual performance reports, 50 related to regulations and bylaws, and 225 concerning agreements and memoranda of understanding. The council also approved five proposals from its members under Article 23 of its bylaws.

Health Sector: Improving Public Health and Safety

The Shura Council has prioritized the health sector, issuing several decisions aimed at improving healthcare quality for citizens and residents. The council emphasized that the Ministry of Health must achieve patient safety requirements in all hospitals, improve dental health services, and coordinate with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties to expand training in genetic diseases and therapeutic nutrition. It also called for the separation of cleaning and maintenance contracts to align with best international practices and for the activation of early detection services for cancer and chronic diseases.

The council also reviewed the performance reports of the National Center for Mental Health Promotion, the Public Health Authority, and the Saudi Red Crescent Authority. It called for the creation of a unified national framework for accrediting psychological and social service centers, the regular publication of data on infectious and non-communicable diseases, and the use of modern technologies and AI to manage emergency services reports. The council also urged the inclusion of first aid principles in school curricula.

Education Sector: Supporting Emerging Universities and Human Capacity Development

The council paid special attention to education, a key pillar of Vision 2030. It reviewed the annual report of the Higher Education Fund, urging it to allocate specific funding for emerging universities and to invest in underutilized university assets. The council also stressed the need for the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation to send students abroad for advanced training and to expedite the accreditation of all its facilities.

In a decision related to the Ministry of Education, the council called for initiatives that enhance the teaching profession’s image and for a study on the variation in student performance on national tests. It also recommended a comprehensive investment strategy to utilize patents and assets.

Economic Development: Stimulating Growth and Enhancing the Investment Environment

To achieve the goals of a vibrant society and a prosperous economy, the council took swift action to support economic development. It called on the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority to review financial burdens on importers and exporters and encourage local businesses to join the Saudi Authorized Economic Operator Program. The council also urged the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority to create a plan to support national companies’ global expansion and to develop a mechanism to measure the impact of external events on attracting foreign investment.

The council also discussed the reports of the Ministry of Investment, the Saudi Export Development Authority, and the General Authority for Competition, issuing decisions to address overlapping competencies, support small and medium-sized enterprise exporters, and develop proactive mechanisms to curb anti-competitive practices.

Environment, Water, and Social Affairs

The council issued several decisions to protect the environment and support social services. It urged the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to enhance the role of agricultural cooperatives and called on the Saudi Water Authority to build capacity in the water sector. It also called on the Saudi Geological Survey to adopt an integrated approach to geological risk management.

On social affairs, the council reviewed the reports of the Family Affairs Council, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. It called for new programs to support families, enhance oversight of Hajj and Umrah campaigns, and improve service management at the two holy mosques.

Transport, Logistics, Technology, and Sports

In a push for digital and infrastructure transformation, the council called on the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services to incentivize public transport use and increase Saudization in the sector. It also urged Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation to convert its subsidiaries into joint-stock companies and review domestic ticket pricing.

The council discussed the annual report of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission and issued a decision calling on the commission to improve wireless communications and internet services in public places. It also affirmed that the commission must develop the e-sports system by improving its digital infrastructure and activating its regulatory frameworks.

The council also focused on improving the sports and cultural sectors. It called on the Ministry of Sport to complete stalled projects and enhance governance within sports federations. For culture and tourism, the council stressed the need for the Saudi Tourism Authority to open offices in key foreign markets and for the Ministry of Culture to develop museum displays and expand specialized academic programs.

Energy, Industry, and Urban Development

The council also supported the energy and industrial sectors. It urged the Ministry of Energy to accelerate the readiness of factories that contribute to renewable energy projects and to encourage the private sector to establish electric vehicle charging stations. It also called on the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to ensure the use of Saudi products and services in foreign projects supported by Saudi aid and to prioritize national industrial projects in mining sites.

The council discussed the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing’s report and called for updating urban plans for all cities, finding financing for basic services in housing grant schemes, and facilitating the licensing of heritage villages. The council also recommended reviewing and updating the classification of the Kingdom’s municipalities based on population growth.

Labor Market and Social Services

The council reviewed the report from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and issued several decisions aimed at developing the labor market and social services. The council called on the ministry to transition to a regulatory and supervisory role, assess the impact of modern work patterns, and develop a professional examination program. It also urged the ministry to accelerate the development of the nursery system to support working families.

The council also called for the adoption of proactive services and technologies in social security services to improve accessibility and quality. It stressed the need for the ministry to expedite the implementation of occupational safety and health standards to create a safe work environment.

New Regulations and Proposals

As part of its legislative work, the Shura Council approved several important draft regulations and proposals aimed at strengthening the legislative framework in line with Vision 2030. These included new or amended laws in key areas such as artificial intelligence, statistics, petroleum and petrochemicals, cooperative societies, financial oversight, real estate, intellectual property, sports, education, and gifted care.