Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman

All eyes will turn to the Dome of the Shoura Council in Riyadh on Wednesday as Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman delivers his speech to mark the work of the fourth year of the sixth session of the Shoura Council. He will discuss foreign and domestic policies and define Saudi stance on a number of issues.

The king’s annual speech is considered an official start to the proceedings of the Shoura Council, as he sets the Kingdom’s position on current issues and defines goals that the state aspires to achieve over the next year related to industrial, political, economic and social priorities.

The speech is expected to be comprehensive and inclusive, as it addresses national issues and developmental approaches and efforts to achieve progress to meet the needs and aspirations of citizens. The speech is also expected to address current regional and international political issues and stress the importance of the role of the council as one of the important regulatory and supervisory institutions of the nation.

“These directions will serve as a road map for the Shoura Council and its members, used to guide their study of certain issues as per its powers and functions, as well as lead to decisions that contribute to improving the performance of the state and meet development and modernization goals in pace with developments of our time,” says Chairman of the Shoura Council Abdullah Al-Asheikh.

Regarding foreign policy, and in light of ongoing crises in the region, the king’s speech on Wednesday is expected to address the Kingdom’s role in the Gulf, Arab and international arenas. At the level of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Kingdom has been seeking to restore cohesion among GCC countries for greater mutual cooperation in various fields.

As for the stability of the oil market, the Kingdom has been pursuing a moderate policy based on taking into account the interests of present and future generations, as well as common interests of both producers and consumers, while attempting to diversify its sources of income.

In his speech last year to mark the launch of the fourth year of the current session, on behalf of late King Abdullah, King Salman emphasized the longstanding keenness of the state to find wide popular participation in decision making and increased support of government activities in serving citizens and their needs.

In line with the pursuit of development and prosperity, the royal speech stressed the need for upholding cultural and moral values that underpin the country. The speech also called for national unity, achieving comprehensive national security, and ensuring the rights, justice, equality and stability for all with transparency and accountability.

As for countering terrorism, the previous speech highlighted the importance of security and stability as central to the country’s development, especially in light of attempts by extremist groups to sabotage the its stability and unity.

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