MUSCAT – The session was held under the chairmanship of His Excellency Sheikh Abdulmalik Abdullah Al Khalili, Chairman of the State Council.
In his opening speech, the Chairman of the State Council stated that the session includes the discussion of several topics, foremost of which is the ‘Draft Urban Planning Law’ and the report of the Economic and Financial Committee concerning it, which was referred by the Council of Ministers in accordance with the provisions of Article 49 of the Law of the Council of Oman.
He added that the session also covers proposals submitted by the standing committees regarding topics they intend to study during the current annual sitting of the eighth term. He emphasised the efforts exerted by the members to achieve a unified vision on draft laws, underscoring the harmony and joint cooperation with the Shura Council to serve the public interest.

Dr. Dhafer Awadh Al Shanfari, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Committee at the State Council, explained that the importance of studying the ‘Draft Urban Planning Law’ lies in defining the foundations of sustainable urban planning and the general principles that government and non-government entities, as well as various segments of society, must adhere to across national, regional, and local planning levels.
The session further included discussions on study proposals submitted by the standing committees for the current annual sitting, in addition to reviewing a report from the General Secretariat regarding the activities of the Council’s various bodies.