Riyadh:The Shura Council highlighted its key legislative, oversight, and diplomatic accomplishments during the past year as it marked the royal address delivered by Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, inaugurating the third year of its ninth session.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the council held 46 ordinary sessions, totaling over 96 hours of deliberation and 1,461 member interventions. It issued 555 resolutions, conducted 376 specialized committee meetings, hosted 331 government officials to discuss institutional performance, and engaged in 135 domestic and international parliamentary diplomacy activities. In its legislative role, the council reviewed 82 laws and regulations alongside 13 proposals submitted under Article 23 of the Shura Council Law.
In the area of government performance and institutional development, the council encouraged the National Center for Performance Measurement (Adaa) to create strategic impact indicators, evaluate agency targets, and organize an annual forum focused on public performance. Resolutions also pushed the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, and the General Presidency of Islamic Research and Ifta to adopt digital archiving, set operational KPIs, collaborate with the non-profit sector, and expand the international dispatch of imams during Ramadan to promote moderation.
In economic, trade, and energy sectors, the council advised the Ministry of Commerce to simplify startup processes, ensure broad acceptance of electronic payments, and enforce transparent VAT displays and consumer dispute mechanisms. Recommendations for the Ministry of Energy included balancing renewable and conventional energy capacities, preparing power grids for high-density data centers, assessing green hydrogen demand, and speeding up gas supply projects for industrial cities.
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources was urged to diversify strategic industrial incentives and balance raw mineral exports with local needs. Meanwhile, the Capital Market Authority was directed to limit speculative capital flows, promote institutional investment, and expand investor compensation mechanisms.
In technology, communication, and digital transformation, the council instructed the Saudi Data and AI Authority to expedite regulatory licensing, improve government data integration, and establish mechanisms to combat deepfakes and digital misinformation. The Communications, Space and Technology Commission was called to implement age-verification controls for social media use under 16, utilize surplus public fiber-optic capacity, and create regulatory enablers for commercial space activities. The National eLearning Center was urged to transition to an integrated digital education ecosystem, adopting advanced emerging technologies.
In public welfare, transport, and pilgrimage services, the council guided the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services to expand rail and road connectivity, strengthen emergency supply chain resilience, and rationalize lease costs. Directives to the Public Health Authority included establishing a national impact framework, verifying ages for tobacco sales, countering vaccine misinformation, and enhancing border health protocols. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah was urged to resolve pre-arrival challenges for overseas pilgrims, operationalize joint pilgrim-dispatch centers, and expand the Makkah Route Initiative to major pilgrim-sending nations.
Internationally, the council approved several bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding, including judicial cooperation with UNIDROIT and Hungary, investment promotion with Morocco, climate and low-emission collaboration with Russia, counter-terrorism cooperation with the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre, civil aviation agreements with Spain and Syria, educational and curriculum partnerships with Palestine and the GCC, and an agreement with the World Intellectual Property Organization.
These achievements underscore the Shura Council's active role in advancing national transformation, modernizing regulatory frameworks, and enhancing institutional efficiency, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.