Doha, July 08 (QNA) – HE Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi affirmed that the country’s institutions have demonstrated a high level of readiness and their ability to deal efficiently with regional developments and exceptional circumstances as part of efforts to strengthen the national resilience framework.

Speaking during the Cabinet’s media briefing, His Excellency said government entities continued providing their services without interruption despite the regional developments and exceptional circumstances, supported by flexible operational plans and advanced digital infrastructure.

He reviewed the Cabinet’s key achievements, decisions and government legislation during the period from October 2025 until now, and outlined several future plans the Cabinet is working on, all aimed at developing government performance for the benefit of society.

He stressed that the Cabinet’s decisions during this period reflect an integrated approach based on developing legislation, modernizing the economy, enhancing quality of life, building a cohesive society, protecting the environment and accelerating the pace of national transformation in support of comprehensive development, strengthening the country’s readiness to keep pace with developments, and achieving a tangible impact on government performance and services provided to the public.

He affirmed that the Cabinet will continue during the next phase to complete the prescribed legislative process for innovative draft laws in preparation for their issuance and entry into force, while completing the executive tools and follow-up mechanisms required for their implementation.

He explained that the period from last October until today witnessed more than 120 decisions, draft laws and qualitative initiatives covering various development sectors, including 22 draft laws approved by the Shura Council, of which nine laws have so far been issued during 2026, all in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030.

He added that, as part of continuing efforts to develop the legislative framework, the Cabinet approved a draft Amiri decision regulating the preparation of legislation. Prepared by the General Secretariat of the Cabinet in coordination with the relevant authorities, it aims to regulate the drafting and review of legislative instruments proposed by competent entities and strengthen planning and follow-up to ensure that the government’s legislative system keeps pace with the requirements of national development and government priorities.

He noted that the Cabinet also took note of the Shura Council’s approval of a draft law on international treaties and agreements, prepared by the Ministry of Justice to establish the general framework governing international treaties and agreements.

He explained that the Cabinet approved a draft Amiri decision regulating the conclusion of international treaties and agreements as part of establishing the executive procedures for the draft law on international treaties and agreements and defining institutional responsibilities.

He added that, in the field of social development, the Cabinet reviewed the Shura Council’s proposal on a draft law on children’s digital protection and referred it to the competent authorities for study and a report.

He also reviewed several recommendations submitted by the Shura Council on social affairs that were considered by the Cabinet, most notably the recommendation on strengthening parental care and supporting family cohesion. The Cabinet referred the responses prepared by the relevant authorities to the Shura Council to outline government efforts and future plans in this field.

Regarding improving efficiency in the social sector, Al Mohannadi said the Cabinet approved a draft law regulating the practice of social professions to establish a comprehensive legislative framework governing the practice of these professions while supporting the participation of the private sector and the nonprofit sector in providing social services within a framework that ensures governance and quality.

He also referred to Law No. 6 of 2026, issuing the Unified Voluntary Work Law for the Gulf Cooperation Council states, which aims to promote a culture of volunteerism and establish an appropriate institutional framework for volunteer work.

He also referred to the Minister of Municipality’s Decision No. 108 of 2026, amending architectural requirements and technical specifications for buildings to allow changes to the planning and engineering dimensions of homes in line with the needs of Qatari families, saying the decision comes as part of efforts to provide a suitable living environment.

He noted that the Cabinet also took note of the Shura Council’s approval of a draft traffic law aimed at enhancing road safety and security while taking into account developments in the country’s infrastructure.

HE the minister also reviewed the draft law regulating private schools approved by the Cabinet, which aims to update the legal framework to ensure the quality of education. The legislation will proceed through the remaining legislative procedures as part of efforts to develop national capabilities and invest in people.

He also noted the Cabinet’s approval of a draft decision by the Minister of Education and Higher Education amending certain provisions of the decision regulating educational services, while reviewing a proposal to amend the National Qualifications Framework to better align educational outcomes with labor market needs.

He explained that, in the context of developing legislation governing the labor market, Law No. 9 of 2026, amending certain provisions of the Labor Law, was issued to update the provisions governing labor relations and employment, particularly the procedures for settling labor disputes and expediting their resolution.

He also said the Cabinet approved a draft decision by the Minister of State for Defense Affairs on the distribution of university and college graduates performing national service among government entities to ensure the effective use of young national talent by assigning them to sectors suited to their qualifications.

Regarding strengthening the investment environment and diversifying the national economy, Al Mohannadi said the Cabinet approved a draft law amending the law regulating non-Qatari capital investment in economic activity to create a more flexible and competitive environment capable of attracting high-quality investment.

In the real estate sector, he referred to Law No. 8 of 2026, amending certain provisions of the Real Estate Lease Law, which aims to address illegal subdivision of real estate units, expedite the settlement of rental disputes and reduce lease registration fees.

He added that the Cabinet also took note of the Shura Council’s approval of draft laws on homeowners’ associations, real estate brokerage and state property, which reorganizes the management of public and private state property within a unified legislative framework that supports its protection and efficient utilization. The Cabinet also approved a draft law amending certain provisions of Law No. 6 of 2014 regulating real estate development.

His Excellency said that, as part of a package of business stimulus measures, the Cabinet approved a draft decision specifying the categories of national products that government entities are required to procure and adopted the general policy for national local content prepared by the Ministry of Finance in coordination with the National Planning Council.

He added that, as part of continuing efforts to develop the legislative environment supporting investment and enhance the efficiency of the justice system, the Cabinet reviewed the Shura Council’s decision on a draft law amending certain provisions of the civil and commercial procedures law as part of the national initiative to develop the justice system, accelerate electronic litigation procedures and unify certain procedures that directly affect litigants.

The Cabinet also approved a draft decision by the Minister of Justice on the conditions for registering arbitrators and licensing arbitration centers and branches of foreign arbitration centers, in support of alternative dispute resolution methods and to reinforce Qatar’s position as an advanced regional and international arbitration center.

Al Mohannadi also reviewed the most important measures related to digital transformation, noting the announcement by the National Planning Council that Qatar ranked among the top 20 countries worldwide in the 2025 IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking.

He added that in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, issued in June, Qatar ranked first regionally, among the world’s top five countries in economic resilience and fifth globally in the effectiveness of its judicial system.

Regarding environmental protection and sustainability, he said the Cabinet took note of the Shura Council’s approval of a draft law on oversight of fuel stations, prepared by QatarEnergy to strengthen health, safety and environmental standards at vital facilities. The Cabinet also approved a draft Environmental Protection and Sustainability Law to update the legislative framework governing environmental protection and development, with the legislation set to proceed through the remaining legislative procedures.

As part of the periodic reports reviewed during the period, he said the Cabinet examined the annual reports of several entities, including the General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority, Hamad Medical Corporation, the Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Development Bank and the National Cyber Security Agency.

The Cabinet also reviewed the 2025 annual report on the work of the State Cases Department and the progress report on achievements during the second half of 2025 concerning the national framework for promoting values and ethics in Qatari society.

HE Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi affirmed that all of these measures reflect the commitment to monitoring government performance, measuring the level of achievement, and enhancing integration among national initiatives.

Responding to journalists’ questions, HE the Minister explained that the government’s artificial intelligence initiatives are numerous but not fragmented, as they all stem from a single overarching plan encompassing all government entities.

With regard to digital transformation in general and the use of AI tools and projects in particular, these initiatives are based on the Qatar Digital Agenda 2030 and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, he noted.

His Excellency underscored the close attention and continuous follow-up this matter receives from HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, in his capacity as Chairman of the Smart Government and Digital Excellence Steering Committee.

The Cabinet is pursuing three main tracks with regard to AI: the first track focuses on the direct delivery of government services, exemplified by the Ministry of Municipality’s use of AI in issuing building permits, His Excellency said. The second track concerns Decision Support Systems, such as the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers’ “Smart Legislative Advisor” program, developed in cooperation with the National Planning Council.

He added that the new legislative framework is keeping pace with AI applications and uses, noting that several laws have recently been enacted which support the application and use of AI, most notably the law on unmanned aircraft (drones).

Responding to a question about investment in Qatar, HE the Minister said that there are numerous relevant measures, including both individual and integrated incentive packages, designed to attract investment to Qatar.

These are complemented by advanced economic legislation, which is being developed through consultations with the private sector and investors, as well as efforts to expedite the resolution of disputes and court cases, a modern infrastructure, a high quality of life, an advanced digital infrastructure, the country’s stability, and long-term planning, His Excellency said.

HE Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi said that a number of laws were developed through consultations with the private sector and relevant stakeholders to strengthen the country’s ability to attract investment. These include: the draft law regulating the investment of non-Qatari capital in economic activity, the law regulating the public-private partnership, and the law concerning the protection of competition and the prevention of monopolistic practices.

Speaking about Qatar’s real estate sector, His Excellency noted that the sector has experienced significant growth and development, adding that the decisions and legislation issued in recent years have made it necessary for the regulatory framework governing the sector to evolve accordingly.

They did not come to address any particular issue, he added, rather to keep pace with the sector’s development. The legislation addresses three key areas:

The first concerns investors and developers, including amendments to the real estate development law and the real estate brokerage law.

The second concerns landlords and tenants, including amendments to the property leasing law and the draft law on owners’ association.

The third concerns the state itself through the state property law, with His Excellency hoping that it represents a qualitative shift in the management of state-owned properties and their utilization in the public interest.

Regarding the Amiri Decision regulating the preparation of legislation, HE the Minister explained that the current legislative drafting process is governed by Decision No. (33) of 2000 on the Procedures for the Preparation of Legislation.

He noted that Qatar, the region, and the world have undergone profound changes since 2000.

Numerous developments have taken place between 2000 and 2026, His Excellency said, including the promulgation of the Constitution, the launch of the Qatar National Vision 2030, the first, second, and third National Development Strategies.

These, along with significant advances in digital transformation, the enactment of many fundamental laws, and the continued evolution of the state’s administrative apparatus, he added. These developments make it necessary to review the procedures governing the preparation and drafting of government legislation.

His Excellency pointed out that the new legislative framework marks a shift from a reactive, needs-based approach to lawmaking toward one based on forward planning. This means legislation that is aligned with approved national strategies and reflects the country’s priorities.

The new framework introduces a significant change in the methodology for legislative impact assessment, including both ex-ante assessments conducted before legislation is enacted and ex-post assessments to measure its impact after implementation, HE the Minister said.

HE Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi underscored that the key question is whether legislation under the new framework will be enacted more quickly or simply be of higher quality.

His Excellency noted that speed and quality are not mutually exclusive, adding that the goal is to ensure that legislative proposals submitted by government entities are more coherent, making full use of Qatar’s existing legal framework, to arrive at a legal system trusted by all, including business owners and investors. (QNA)