مجلس الشورى يعقد جلسته العادية الثلاثين من أعمال السنة الثانية للدورة التاسعة

The Shura Council held today its thirtieth regular session of the second year of the ninth term - via video conferencing - chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the Council, Dr. Mishal bin Fahm Al-Sulami.

At the beginning of the session, the Council reviewed the agenda for its thirtieth regular session and the items included in it, making the necessary decisions regarding them.

The Council issued a decision regarding the annual report of the Ministry of Media for the fiscal year 1446/1447 AH, in which it called on the Ministry of Media to coordinate with relevant authorities to study the establishment of a framework for measuring the soft power index as a strategic tool; to enhance and solidify the positive image of the Kingdom abroad.

The Council made its decision after listening to the views of the Media Committee, which were presented by the esteemed member of the Council and Vice Chairman of the Committee, Abdullah Al-Hussein, regarding the observations and opinions expressed by members in a previous session concerning the annual report of the Ministry of Media.

The Council, in its decision, called on the Ministry to coordinate with the Ministry of Culture to work on outlining the regulatory frameworks to define the scope of competencies and authorities related to specialized media cities; ensuring that there is no duplication of tasks or overlap of authorities, and achieving the highest levels of institutional integration in managing and developing these vital sectors.

The Council emphasized in its decision that the Ministry should play its strategic role in supervising the unification of efforts of various media academies; to formulate qualification and training standards that ensure the quality of media outputs.

Another decision was issued by the Council during this session, in which it demanded the National Center for Water Efficiency and Rationalization to coordinate with relevant authorities; to study the provision of non-potable water for irrigating gardens and household trees.

The Council made its decision after listening to the views of the Water, Agriculture, and Environment Committee, which were presented by the member of the Council and Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Khalid Zubair, regarding the observations and opinions expressed by members in a previous session concerning the annual report of the National Center for Water Efficiency and Rationalization for the fiscal year 1446/1447 AH.

The Council called in its decision for the Center to coordinate with the relevant authorities; to adopt a suitable mechanism that enables government entities to rationalize and efficiently use water.

Another decision was issued by the Council during this session regarding the annual report of the Support and Liquidation Center "Esnad" for the fiscal year 1446/1447 AH, in which it called on the Center to prepare an annual classification of the highest-performing service providers according to objective indicators and announced criteria; to enhance the efficiency of its operations.

The Council made its decision after listening to the views of the Islamic and Judicial Affairs Committee, which were presented by the member of the Council and Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Asim Madkhali, regarding the observations and opinions expressed by members in a previous session concerning the annual report of the Support and Liquidation Center.

The Council called in its decision for the Center to coordinate with relevant authorities to work on finding innovative solutions; to achieve the objectives of its initiatives.

Additionally, the Council discussed during this session the annual report of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority for the fiscal year 1446/1447 AH, after listening to a report presented by the Transport, Communications, and Information Technology Committee, which was presented by the member of the Council and Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Issa Al-Otaibi, regarding the contents of the annual report of the Authority.

After the Committee's report was presented for discussion, members of the Council expressed several observations and opinions regarding the annual report of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, where Council member Dr. Muslih Al-Harithi called on the Authority to coordinate with relevant authorities to build a national index to measure the contribution of artificial intelligence technologies to the GDP, and to publish it periodically according to a clear and announced methodology.

For his part, Council member Dr. Nasser Tayran suggested that the Authority study launching a comprehensive national initiative for governance and addressing data quality gaps and integration among entities, in partnership with relevant government entities, to enhance data reliability, improve the efficiency of data exchange and integration, and support decision-making and improve service efficiency.

In his remarks on the report, Prince Dr. Saad bin Saud bin Mohammed, a member of the Shura Council, praised the efforts made by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, pointing to the importance of reducing the launch of government digital platforms and integrating those that can be merged, as their abundance can lead to confusion and distraction that may cause confusion among beneficiaries.

At the end of the discussion, the Committee requested more time to study the opinions and proposals raised by the members and to return with its views to the Council in a later session.

The Council discussed during the session the annual report of the Premium Residency Center for the fiscal year 1446/1447 AH, after listening to a report presented by the Trade and Investment Committee, which was presented by the member of the Council and Vice Chairman of the Committee, Thamer Nasif, regarding the contents of the annual report of the Center.

After the Committee's report was presented for discussion, members of the Council expressed several observations and opinions regarding the annual report of the Premium Residency Center, where Council member Dr. Sarah Qasim called on the Center to link achievements with measurable economic performance indicators, with periodic reviews that ensure a shift from focusing on quantity to maximizing quality and sustainable impact on the economy.

For her part, Council member Raida Abu Nayan called on the Premium Residency Center to review its performance indicators system to achieve alignment with its strategic goal of achieving sustainable value for the Kingdom's economy.

At the end of the discussion, the Committee requested more time to study the opinions and proposals raised by the members and to return with its views to the Council in a later session.

The Council discussed during this session the annual report of the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector for the fiscal year 1446/1447 AH, after listening to a report presented by the Human Resources and Social Development Committee, which was presented by the member of the Council and Chairman of the Committee, Abdullah Al-Tawi, regarding the contents of the annual report of the Center.

After the Committee's report was presented for discussion, members of the Council expressed several observations and opinions regarding the annual report of the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector, where Council member Engineer Ali Al-Qarni called on the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector to adopt a national framework that links support and funding to the level of impact and results achieved, and enhances spending efficiency, thus supporting the sector's transition from focusing on the volume of spending or the number of initiatives to focusing on the real impact on beneficiaries and society.

For his part, Council member Mohammed Al-Faraj called on the Center to prepare an awareness program that includes the strategic objectives it seeks to achieve at both the national and international levels, ensuring that the awareness program provides a comprehensive explanation of all roles and tasks it accomplishes, and its need for support and assistance from all government and private entities, as well as the essential role of community members in supporting the Center to enable it to achieve its goals.

In her remarks on the report, Council member Dr. Amal Al-Hazani emphasized the importance of the Center intensifying its media role to highlight its missions and active role and increase community awareness of the non-profit sector.

For his part, Council member Dr. Majdi Al-Sulami pointed out the necessity for the Center to adopt flexible operational models for the non-profit sectors based on the highest global practices focused on impact management, execution efficiency, and sustainability.

At the end of the discussion, the Committee requested more time to study the opinions or recommendations raised by the members and to return with its views to the Council in a later session.

In the context of the performance reports included in the agenda of this session, the Council discussed the annual report of the General Authority for State Properties for the fiscal year 1446/1447 AH, after listening to a report presented by the Financial and Economic Committee, which was presented by the member of the Council and Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Fahd Al-Takheefi, regarding the contents of the annual report of the Authority.

After the Committee's report was presented for discussion, members of the Council expressed several observations and opinions regarding the annual report of the General Authority for State Properties, where Council member Dr. Hisham Al-Faris called on the Authority to coordinate with relevant authorities to utilize all available options for owning government premises and reducing the leasing portfolio.

For his part, Council member Dr. Rashid Al-Sharif called on the Authority to redirect its investments towards underutilized assets and lands, and to work on developing them into modern government premises owned by the state, which contributes to improving the efficiency of public spending and transforming it into sustainable capital investment.

Council member Khalid Al-Saif called on the Authority to study the development of a unified national framework for managing and investing government assets, linking optimal use, economic return, and regional development, thereby enhancing the efficiency of public funds and increasing the contribution of government properties to the national economy.

At the end of the discussion, the Committee requested more time to study the opinions and proposals raised by the members and to return with its views to the Council in a later session.

The Council discussed during the session the annual report of the General Presidency for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice for the fiscal year 1446/1447 AH, after listening to a report presented by the Islamic and Judicial Affairs Committee, which was presented by the member of the Council and Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Asim Madkhali, regarding the contents of the annual report of the Presidency.

After the Committee's report was presented for discussion, members of the Council expressed several observations and opinions regarding the annual report of the Presidency, where Council member Dr. Hassan Al-Masloom called on the Presidency to develop a methodology for measuring the impact of awareness programs and activities by measuring their volume and evaluating their actual outputs in terms of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among beneficiaries.

For his part, Council member Zahir Al-Shahri called on the Presidency to support enhancing communication skills for field personnel in the most commonly spoken languages among pilgrims and Umrah performers, to ensure comprehensive impact and communication and facilitate the delivery of the awareness message.

At the end of the discussion, the Committee requested more time to study the opinions or recommendations raised by the members and to return with its views to the Council in a later session.

Among the topics included for discussion during this session, the Council discussed the annual report of the Environmental Fund for the fiscal year 1446/1447 AH, after listening to a report presented by the Water, Agriculture, and Environment Committee, which was presented by the member of the Council and Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Khalid Zubair, regarding the contents of the annual report of the Fund.

After the Committee's report was presented for discussion, members of the Council expressed several observations and opinions regarding the annual report of the Environmental Fund, while the Committee requested at the end of the discussion to be granted more time to study the opinions or recommendations raised by the members and to return with its views to the Council in a later session.

During the session, the Council discussed the annual report of the National Center for Waste Management for the fiscal year 1446/1447 AH, after listening to a report presented by the Water, Agriculture, and Environment Committee, which was presented by the member of the Council and Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Khalid Zubair, regarding the contents of the annual report of the Center.

After the Committee's report was presented for discussion, members of the Council expressed several observations and opinions regarding the annual report of the National Center for Waste Management, where Council member Dr. Hani Aburas called on the Center to coordinate with relevant authorities to integrate waste management and sorting requirements within the urban planning system, and the construction and operation requirements for new residential and commercial projects.

For his part, Council member Dr. Abdullah Al-Najjar called on the Center to adopt a waste management model that considers the diversity of activities and needs, enhances private sector participation, and improves service efficiency to support environmental sustainability and balanced development.

For her part, Council member Dr. Ghada Al-Hazli emphasized the importance of governing green supply chains during the Hajj season, which is considered a qualitative strategic shift in responsible waste management practices, as it reshapes resource management from a more efficient and responsible perspective, calling on the Center to coordinate with relevant authorities to govern green supply chains for the Hajj season to improve the efficiency of safe disposal of solid waste.

In his remarks on the report, Council member Engineer Ibrahim Al-Dughair called on the Center, in coordination with relevant authorities, to conduct a study to adopt mandatory source separation mechanisms and integrate waste value chains, in partnership with the private sector.

At the end of the discussion, the Committee requested more time to study the opinions or recommendations raised by the members and to return with its views to the Council in a later session.