Minister of Finance HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari briefing the Shura Council
Doha, Qatar: The Shura Council convened Monday at its headquarters and commended the visit of the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the Republic of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of South Africa, alongside his participation in the G20 Summit 2025 in Johannesburg.
The council emphasized the visit showcased clear political indications of Qatar's growing role in supporting stability and strengthening dialogue pathways across Africa.
The discussions held by His Highness, alongside the progress that was made in the Doha Framework for the Peace Agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Congo River Alliance / March 23 Movement (M23), and the Declaration of Principles signed between them in Doha last July, demonstrate Doha's standing as a credible party that contributes to easing tensions and laying the groundwork for security at a time regional and global challenges are heightening, the council underlined.
In this regard, the council welcomed the outcomes of this visit, including the signing of memoranda of understanding in a range of fields, along with the declaration of new investment partnerships and the global commendation of Qatar's supportive role in the peace process between the DRC government and M23.
The council further noted that the productive talks held during this visit lend fresh impetus to the Qatar-Africa relationship and reinforce cooperation in the issues of development and stability, deepening Qatar's standing as an effective and catalytic partner for rapprochement and peace.
Thereafter, Secretary-General of the Council HE Nayef bin Mohammed Al Mahmoud read out the agenda, with the council endorsing the minutes of the previous session.
The council moved ahead and deliberated on the draft state budget for the fiscal year 2026, in the presence of Minister of Finance HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari and a number of the Ministry's high-ranking officials.
The Minister presented a detailed briefing outlining the general framework of the new budget, its core pillars, foremost among them fostering spending efficiency, continuing support for vital sectors, and deepening the pillars of financial sustainability, in addition to maintaining the nation's developmental commitments in the fields of health, education, and infrastructure projects.
The Minister responded to inquiries from Excellencies regarding the budget items and their various orientations.
The council then praised the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Finance in preparing the draft budget and the clear-eyed vision presented by HE the Minister, along with the balance between development requirements and the imperatives of prudent financial management outlined in that presentation.
The council extended its gratitude to HE the Minister and his work team for the overall briefing they provided, reflecting an institutional approach founded on clarity and systematic planning.
This draft budget underscores the sound guidance of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and his keenness to have a stable economic environment in place, in addition to providing the essential resources to support key sectors that represent core pillars in realizing Qatar National Vision 2030, the council stressed.
Having weighed in on the draft budget, Excellencies the members lauded the vivid directives towards advancing public services and broadening the strategic investments, as well as fostering development projects that help optimize life quality.
In addition, the members appreciated the gains and milestones that have been achieved during the sage leadership of HH the Amir, stressing the importance of moving ahead with this pathway to meet the citizens' ambitions and promote the nation's standing on the regional and global stages.
Overall, the members emphasized the importance of consolidating economic diversification through supporting non-oil sectors and reinforcing investments in knowledge and technology as key drivers of economic sustainability and reducing the reliance on traditional resources.
They likewise underscored the importance of proceeding with the task of raising the efficiency of government spending appropriations, and ensuring the pivot towards ventures of national top priority, contributing to achieving sustainable development.
The members concluded their deliberations by commending the minister's presentation that was characterized by clarity and transparency.
They affirmed that it embodies the government's commitment to enhancing collaboration with the council in discussing financial issues, thereby fostering the joint national action and serving the public interest.
