HH The Amir Amir Opens 55th Shura Council Session, Outlines Qatar's Priorities

His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani inaugurated the second ordinary session of the second legislative term, corresponding to the fifty-fifth annual session of the Shura Council, at the Tamim bin Hamad Hall at the Shura Council's headquarters this morning. 

The inauguration was attended by His Highness Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Personal Representative of the Amir, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, and His Excellency Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The inauguration was also attended by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and a number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs, Ministers and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the UAE and dignitaries.

His Highness the Amir delivered a speech on this occasion, which reads as follows:

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Brothers and sisters,

I am pleased to open the fifty-fifth annual session of your esteemed Council, looking forward to the Council continuing to perform its constitutional duties in a spirit of constructive cooperation, and that its discussions will contribute to the development of legislation in the public interest.

In this regard, we recall with hearts full of loyalty the journey of our dear father, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, may God rest his soul, who passed away this year, after a life dedicated to serving his country and nation, and led his people at a pivotal stage in Qatar's history, characterized by a comprehensive renaissance that extended to various fields of development, the consolidation of state institutions, the promotion of the independence of national decision-making, the empowerment of women and the active presence of Qatar among the nations. His belief in the Qatari man was the basis of his project, so he invested in his knowledge and abilities, and provided him with the means to contribute effectively to the march and development of his country. It is worthwhile to be faithful to his biography to preserve the achievements he has established and the legacy he left in our conscience and the memory of our country. May God reward him for Qatar, its people and his nation, and grant him a spacious abode in his paradise.

Brothers and sisters,

We meet this year after our country and the region faced exceptional events, which once again proved the strength of state institutions, the cohesion of society, and the ability to deal with crises efficiently and responsibly.

I would like to pay tribute to our people and the residents of our land for the awareness and cohesion they have shown during the events that have taken place in our country in the past months.

I also pay tribute to our State institutions, our armed forces and our security apparatus, which were ready not only to absorb the shock, but also to deal with it and manage it with courage and ability.

The Qataris' relationship with this good land was not made by abundance, but was shaped by generations in the face of adversity, the harshness of geography and the scarcity of resources. It is a relationship of loyalty, a bet on the will and the challenge of the impossible, written by our early leaders by rallying our people around them.

Our will to build our homeland and preserve the gains of our people is solid and unbreakable.

In this crisis, Qatar has taken on three responsibilities simultaneously: protecting its sovereignty, fulfilling its role in energy security and the global economy, and keeping the doors of diplomacy open.

Our strategy to carry out these responsibilities consisted of four basic elements: First, to defend the homeland resolutely without being drawn into war. Second: Maintaining services, supply chains, and the economic life cycle. Third: Contribute to the efforts made to achieve a ceasefire and open waterways. Fourth: Urging negotiations, and seeking opportunities to return to negotiations to reach peaceful solutions to the conflict.

Brothers and sisters,

Qatar secures about one-fifth of the world's LNG trade, and what touches it is quickly reflected on markets and consumers everywhere.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and direct damage to some energy facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City, have disrupted a significant part of the country's exports. However, the impact of these economic developments has been mainly concentrated in the energy sector, while we have ensured that the non-hydrocarbon sectors continue to grow to contribute about 80% of real GDP, reflecting the resilience of the national economy and continued growth under exceptional and complex circumstances.

From the first moment of the crisis, the state has placed the protection of human beings, securing their needs, and promoting economic activity at the top of its priorities. Its organs, in cooperation with the private sector, have diversified supply routes and secured commodities and strategic stockpiles.

The national economy has faced this crisis from a strong base, as it achieved real growth of 2.9% in 2025, with the inflation rate stable at half a percent on average annual and a current account surplus. The country maintained its high sovereign credit ratings. The FDI stock continued to grow.

It is natural that the crisis will have a negative impact on public finances, as total revenues during the first half of the year decreased by 42%, while public expenditures decreased by 14%, without compromising basic services or development priorities. This is not a given, and it should be appreciated. The state did not panic and continued to look to the future with confidence in the national economy. We have decided not to reduce basic services, preferring not to change development priorities, in order not to slow down Qatar's economic momentum.

The state's pre-crisis policies, which included strengthening reserves, reducing public debt, budgeting on conservative oil prices, and developing non-oil revenues, have made it possible to absorb the repercussions of this crisis so far.

However, this strategy requires continued fiscal discipline, increased spending efficiency, and a review of programs according to their actual impact on society and the economy.

Our goal is not to return to what we were before the crisis, but to make recovery a springboard to accelerate economic diversification and strengthen national capacities. We have a portfolio of projects and investment opportunities worth about SAR 221 billion over the next five years, including infrastructure projects, including public-private partnership projects, as well as private sector investments in the real estate and hospitality sectors. This crisis has confirmed the direction set out in the Third National Development Strategy; reforms that enhance the competitiveness of the economy under normal circumstances are the same ones that strengthen resilience in the face of adversity. We are counting on your esteemed Council to keep pace with this stage with legislation that enhances the role of the private sector and the attractiveness of the investment environment. Qatar will emerge from this crisis only more resilient and adapted to global changes, God willing.

It is our duty to always look for the best, but we must also be prepared for the worst, and for everyone to shoulder their responsibilities, institutions and citizens.

In the energy sector, the expansion of the North Gas Field is proceeding according to plans to increase the country's production capacity of liquefied natural gas. The Golden Pass project in the United States has also made significant progress, while QatarEnergy's investments and international partnerships are expanding, in parallel with the development of the petrochemical industry, solar energy projects, and the enhancement of water security.

In the area of food security, Qatar has been regionally leading in the 2026 Food Systems Resilience Index. Local agricultural production continues to be supported, with the development of storage and transportation, waste reduction, and commitment to economic efficiency and quality standards.

Brothers and sisters,

Investing in people is the basis for the progress of countries, as it is the goal and means of development. Qatari educational institutions have seen remarkable progress, including Qatar University, Education City Universities, and other graduate institutions. We are closely following the development of the education sector in the country, including public and private schools, and meeting the requirements of people with special needs.

Educational institutions must equip young people with the skills needed by the labor market, as well as the intellect and culture needed to meet the challenges of the age. Keeping pace with modern science and technologies must be accompanied by consolidating the status of the Arabic language and promoting the values of national identity.

In the path of digital transformation, more than 360 new digital services have been developed. The central database project has also moved to the stage of practical integration, to be a unified and reliable national source for policy formulation and performance measurement. We direct the completion of inter-entity connectivity, standardization of data standards, and protection of privacy.

The efficiency of management is not complete without clear accountability. A performance appraisal system based on results and quality of outputs has been implemented. Administrative leaders must assume their responsibility in empowering employees, transferring knowledge, qualifying the second grade, and linking promotion and development to achievement, efficiency, and equal opportunities. It is important that these policies are not only applied formally so that achievement and efficiency remain the same, but that honesty is required in the evaluation process. No policies and regulations can replace the secretariat in evaluation and work ethics.

Brothers and sisters,

The State of Qatar has been attacked on its territory by Iran, in flagrant violation of its sovereignty, the provisions of international law and the principles of good neighbourliness. Our armed forces and security services have fulfilled their duty in the defence of the homeland. We recall here with feelings of respect the martyrs who gave their lives in defence of Qatar.

The normal flow of life may be taken for granted despite the raging war, but it is our duty to remember that this would not have been possible without God and then for our armed forces, who have arrived day and night in defense of our airspace, land and waters, without more than a decade of preparation, preparation, training and equipping.

Resilience is not born in a moment of crisis, but rather is the result of the planning that precedes it. We have been able to withstand the most difficult circumstances and come out of every crisis stronger, more solid, more determined and steadfast.

In this regard, we also affirm that our adherence to dialogue and peaceful solutions does not mean complacency in defending our country, and that our right to defend our sovereignty does not contradict our keenness to prevent the expansion of the circle of war. You know, and everyone knows, that Qatar has always preferred to resolve dispute issues through dialogue, negotiation and diplomatic means. This has always been our position, and it still is.

These unfortunate events have reaffirmed that the security of the region and the world are interconnected, and that destabilization anywhere cannot be isolated from the rest of the world. She also stressed the need for continued cooperation and coordination among the GCC countries, as the security of the GCC countries and the protection of their sovereignty and stability are irreparable and incomparable, and this requires us to redouble efforts to secure navigation in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and to protect energy, water and civilian infrastructure, and we will continue to work with our brothers and international and regional partners in order to keep our region stable and secure.

We warn of the dangers posed by Israel's ongoing aggressive practices against the brotherly Palestinian people, the latest of which is the settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank under the protection of the army, as well as the repeated incursions into the Al-Haram Al-Sharif and countless violations of the provisions of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and international humanitarian law.

We renew our firm positions towards finding solutions to the crises in the region in Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia through the required political consensus that is comprehensive and equitable, preserves the unity and integrity of the territory and achieves the interests of the peoples in security and stability.

In conclusion, experience has confirmed that the resilience of the state is based on readiness, economic diversification, efficiency of institutions, community solidarity, and the responsibility of individuals. The challenges are national, and the tasks are common that require everyone to master the work, safeguard public funds, and give precedence to duty and the public interest over any consideration.

May God help us all for the good of Qatar and its people.

May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.

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