Muscat: In accordance with Article 41 of the Law of the Council of Oman, the Shura Council is set to adjourn its second annual session of the tenth term on July 13, 2025.
His Excellency Ahmed Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary-General of the Shura Council, confirmed that the Council demonstrated strong legislative momentum during the first half of the tenth term—particularly across its first and second sittings—reflecting its active role in supporting Oman Vision 2040 and upholding the mandates of the Basic Law of the State.
Robust Legislative Performance
During the second annual sitting, the Shura Council reviewed a total of 21 legislative items, which included:
- 14 draft laws
- 7 international agreements
- 3 additional draft laws proposed by the Council itself
The Council convened 14 regular sessions, including four dedicated to key ministerial briefings by:
- The Ministry of Education
- The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism
- The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning
- The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion
It also reviewed the 2025 State Budget presented by the Ministry of Finance.
Effective Oversight and Engagement
In its oversight role, the Council remained actively engaged with public concerns, submitting:
- 121 inquiries
- 17 parliamentary questions
- 10 urgent statements
The Council Office held 12 official meetings, while its standing committees convened over 90 times, addressing more than 98 key topics including citizen petitions, committee reports, and field visits.
Strengthened Collaboration with Government Bodies
HE Al Nadabi highlighted two joint meetings held between the Council of Ministers and the Office of the Shura Council, aimed at strengthening policy alignment and coordination. Collaboration with the State Council also intensified, particularly in resolving disputes over draft laws, as outlined in Royal Decree No. 7/2021.
Key Draft Laws Approved
In a landmark move, both councils jointly approved 11 major draft laws, referred by the government:
- Electronic Transactions Law
- Public Health Law
- Law on Organ and Tissue Transplantation
- Financial Law
- Personal Income Tax Law
- Special Economic and Free Zones Law
- Anti-Human Trafficking Law
- Telecom and IT Regulation Law
- Real Estate Regulation Law
- State Receivables Collection Law
- Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
These approvals reflect the cohesive and consultative legislative process between the Shura Council and the State Council.
Public Outreach and Transparency
The General Secretariat has intensified efforts to enhance public awareness of the Council’s activities. During this session, the Council:
- Participated in various national events
- Hosted school and university student delegations
- Welcomed local and international visitors
To uphold transparency, the Council is preparing to publish a comprehensive media report outlining its legislative and oversight efforts. This report will be shared across digital platforms and distributed through national media outlets.
