On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, will deliver on Wednesday, the annual Royal Address marking the opening of the third year of the Shura Council's ninth session.
On this occasion, Speaker of the Shura Council Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh expressed, on his own behalf and on behalf of the Shura Council's officials and members, his deepest thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince for the generous support and care accorded to the Shura Council.
He expressed his great pride in the Crown Prince honoring the Shura Council with his presence and delivering the annual Royal Address on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, affirming that the occasion reflects the leadership's attention to the council and its role in the national work process.
“The annual Royal Address represents a national reference that guides the Shura Council in carrying out its mission and serving the nation and citizens, as it sets out the state's directions and priorities,” the Shura Council speaker said.
He noted that over the years, the address has gained an established standing as a comprehensive national document that reviews the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's policies and directions, keeps pace with its rapid development and transformation, and guides the council's work in developing the legislative system and enhancing performance efficiency, contributing to the achievement of the objectives and future aspirations of Saudi Vision 2030.
He also indicated that during the second year of the ninth session, the council continued to carry out its legislative and oversight functions, holding 46 sessions during which it issued 555 decisions addressing the annual reports of government agencies, laws and regulations, and memoranda of understanding and cooperation. These efforts contributed to improving performance and supporting Saudi Arabia's comprehensive development process.
He stated that the council's specialized committees played an active role in studying matters referred to the council. During the past Shura year, they held 376 meetings attended by 331 officials from relevant entities as part of discussions on the issues and efforts to complete their examination. These meetings also enhanced integration and coordination with government agencies, enriching the council's work and improving the quality of its outputs, he noted.
Moreover, he indicated that, building on Saudi Arabia's international presence and influential standing, the Shura Council recorded notable activity in parliamentary diplomacy through 135 domestic and international parliamentary engagements, including participations, meetings, and visits. These contributed to strengthening relations with councils and parliaments and opening broader avenues for cooperation and the exchange of parliamentary expertise and experiences, the Shura Council speaker added.
“The support that parliamentary diplomacy receives from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince has enabled the council to expand its presence and partnerships in regional and international parliamentary forums and organizations, and to contribute effectively to addressing issues of common interest in a manner that serves Saudi Arabia's interests and reflects its positions and directions,” he said.
He also highlighted that the Kingdom's presidency of the current session of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU) and its hosting of its proceedings, under the generous patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and with the support of the Crown Prince, reflect the Kingdom's role in supporting joint Arab action and enhancing the effectiveness of parliamentary diplomacy as a means of promoting rapprochement, consultation, and coordination of positions on Arab issues, and of consolidating dialogue and cooperation in support of the region's security, stability, and prosperity.
Additionally, he affirmed that the Shura Council will continue to fulfill its national mission and exercise its statutory functions, guided by the directives of the wise leadership and keeping pace with the Kingdom's rapid development transformations. He noted that this will enhance its contribution to developing the legislative system, improving performance efficiency, and supporting Saudi Arabia's comprehensive development process, while continuing its parliamentary engagement at the regional and international levels in a manner that reflects the Kingdom's standing and positions.
The Shura Council speaker concluded his statement by praying to Allah Almighty to protect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, and to preserve the Kingdom's security, strength, stability, and prosperity.
