Issued by …
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5065 issued on 17 January 2025.
Issued on: 5 Rajab 1446
Corresponding to: 5 January 2025
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5065 issued on 17 January 2025.
Issued on: 3 Rajab 1446
Corresponding to: 3 January 2025
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5063 issued on 5 January 2025.
Issued by Board of Directors of the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority D-3-T-46-2 of 1446 [2024], Amended by Administrative Decision 000033-25-001 Dated 1 January 2025
Introduction
As part of the efforts of the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve to be a leader in environmental conservation and nature preservation, the authority has focused on supporting scientific research, as accurate data and information on the facts of biodiversity is an important and supportive tool for making decisions based on science, hence, these controls have been put in place to establish the general frameworks governing the scientific research process in the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, as well as joint cooperation in sharing data with other entities.
Article 1
The following phrases and expressions—wherever they appear in these controls—have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise:
Authority: The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority.
Reserve: The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve.
Chief executive officer: The chief executive officer of the authority.
Researcher: A person who performs scientific research tasks, procedures, and activities.
Scientific research: A systematic experimental investigative approach that follows recognized scientific methods in accordance with the ethics of scientific research in collecting information, recording observations, and objectively critically analyzing that information or hypotheses using specific scientific methods and approaches.
Scientific publication: The outputs or results of scientific research, including publishing all or some of the results in scientific journals or periodicals, on the internet, in books and reports, or as an innovation.
Permit: A document granted by the authority before commencing the practice of the scientific research activity.
Wildlife: Wild plant and animal organisms and their habitats.
Biodiversity: The multiplicity and diversity of organisms at all their levels, from genes to ecosystems.
Natural habitats: Sites where wild organisms naturally live, grow, or reproduce in a natural, interconnected, and integrated manner with the surrounding conditions.
Article 2
These controls aim to strengthen and control the scientific research system, build scientific partnerships, and enable researchers to conduct their research and scientific activities in the reserve.
Article 3
For the purpose of implementing these controls, the authority shall:
1․ Verify the qualifications of researchers and the project team.
2․ Verify the scientific justification and the intended benefit if the scientific research has been conducted previously.
3․ If the cooperation results in a scientific innovation, the authority and the researcher have the right to joint intellectual property.
4․ The authority has the right to suspend or cancel scientific research and take the necessary legal measures in the event of a breach of the laws of the authority, the non-disclosure agreement, or the ethics of scientific research.
Article 4
The authority shall grant a permit to conduct scientific research within the reserve through the website of the authority, with the approval of the chief executive officer or whomever he authorizes, according to the following mechanism:
1․ Submitting the permit application within a period of 30 days before the start date of the scientific research.
2․ The permit applicant shall attach the following requirements:
(a) Permit application form.
(b) Scientific research proposal.
(c) Any other requirements determined by the authority.
3․ The authority shall review the application and notify the permit applicant of the application status within 15 working days from the date of receipt.
Article 5
A researcher shall comply with the following:
1․ The highest performance standards, ethics, and good practices in scientific research, and that he is fully aware of the scientific research controls of the authority while adhering to the relevant regulations and laws.
2․ Preserving the environment, reducing environmental pollution, and being cautious to not conduct experiments and research that may harm the environment and natural habitats.
3․ Scientific integrity and ensuring accuracy in conducting scientific research, presenting and interpreting results with credibility and transparency, and not distorting or falsifying scientific results and facts.
4․ Obtaining the necessary permits to conduct scientific research from the authority and relevant entities, if necessary.
5․ Researchers in joint projects shall agree on a publishing mechanism before submitting the scientific research to a publisher, and shall inform partners of all their rights and duties, mutual benefits, and withdrawal procedures at any stage, before beginning the scientific research.
6․ In the event of dealing with data of a confidential nature that may be obtained (for example: Information about the health status of animals, the precise locations of rare animals and plants in the reserve, and any results related to the breeding sites of animals), the researcher shall maintain the confidentiality and privacy of this data, and shall not use such data for his personal benefit, for the benefit of a third party, or for any purpose other than the purpose for which it is collected except with the written consent of the authority.
7․ Maintaining an accurate, organized, and documented record of the procedures followed and the results obtained, whether final or interim, and that this record must be subject to inspection and audit by the authority.
8․ Not publishing scientific research and displaying research results in the media or any other means except after obtaining the consent of the authority.
9․ Upon completion of the scientific research, the authority has the right to the samples, data, and results, and the researcher shall not use them for other research or for other purposes without the consent of the authority.
10․ Abiding by local laws, legislation, and international treaties on copyright and the protection of intellectual property rights.
11․ Not withholding any scientific results or information from the authority.
12․ Preserving the rights of the authority to the results of scientific and intellectual research as well as the funding entity, when publishing the results of scientific research, and not exploiting it for advertising or any commercial or illegal purposes.
Article 6
A researcher shall, when conducting research on animals, comply with the following:
1․ Ensuring quality of performance and scientific principles and controls governing experimental practices on animals.
2․ Sharia provisions and laws relating to animal welfare.
3․ Scientific principles and controls that govern experimental practices on animals.
4․ Limiting the number of animals to the smallest possible number to achieve the objectives of scientific research.
5․ Abiding by, in scientific research, all measures to prevent harm or pain to the animal being subjected to the experiment, using the minimum and necessary number of experimental animals, and trying to avoid causing pain to the animal as much as possible.
6․ Releasing the animal subject to scientific research after its completion and ensuring its safety, and returning it to its original environment whenever possible.
7․ Taking into account that the expected results of the research and the benefits sought from it must outweigh the potential risks and damages that could be caused to the animal on which the scientific research is conducted or to the environment in general.
Article 7
A researcher shall, when conducting research on plants, comply with the following:
1․ Sharia provisions and laws relating to environmental protection.
2․ Limiting the number of seeds or plant samples to the minimum in regard to scientific research on endangered plants.
3․ Taking into account that the expected results of scientific research and the benefits sought from it must outweigh the potential risks and damages that could be caused to the plant on which the scientific research is conducted or to ecological systems and natural habitats in general.
4․ Disposing of all waste in a safe manner that does not harm human health or the environment.
Article 8
Researchers shall not:
1․ Use an endangered animal in research and experiments, unless such research and experiments are necessary and have a positive impact on the reproduction or preservation of the species, and obtaining the written consent of the authority.
2․ Introduce a wild animal or plant foreign to the environment of the reserve into its wildlife for scientific research purposes.
3․ Conduct research on endangered plants, unless such research is necessary for the propagation or conservation of those plants, with the written consent of the authority.
4․ Carry out any action that has a negative impact on the environment of the reserve.
Article 9
1․ The authority has the right to suspend or stop the research and prevent the researcher from conducting research in the future if it is proven that the researcher has violated any of the provisions of these controls.
2․ The authority shall police violations and impose punishments in coordination with the relevant entities.
Article 10
The authority shall review and update these controls periodically—when needed—with the approval of the chief executive officer and the notification of the board of directors of the authority.
Article 11
These controls apply and come into force from the date of their publication in the official gazette.
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5075 issued on 14 March 2025.
Issued by Decision D-2-T2/46 of 1446, amended by Administrative Decision 000033-25-001 dated 1 January 2025
Article 1
For the purposes of applying these controls, the following terms and phrases—wherever they appear—have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise:
Reserve: The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve.
Authority: The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority.
Board of directors: The board of directors of the authority.
Chief executive officer: The chief executive officer of the authority.
Controls: The Controls for Grazing in King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve.
Permit: A document granted by the authority to the permittee allowing the entry of livestock into the designated grazing sites in the reserve.
Grazing: The process by which livestock consume plants for energy and food.
Grazing range: The range designated and approved by the authority.
Grazing system: The management of pasture use in a way that ensures long-term sustainability and achieves a balance between the needs of livestock and ecosystem conservation.
Local community: Inhabitants of the centres identified by the head of the administrative center inside the geographical scope of the reserve.
Livestock: Domesticated animals for husbandry (camels, cows, sheep, and goats).
Environmental inspector: An official(s) designated by a decision issued by the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture or the chairman of the board of directors of national centers for the environment sector, jointly or individually, to police, investigate, and prove violations of the provisions of the Environmental Law, regulations, and controls issued by the authority.
Article 2
The controls for grazing aim to preserve the natural and plant environment and wildlife by regulating grazing inside the geographical scope of King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve.
Article 3
It is prohibited to graze in the reserve except within the grazing range in accordance with these controls, and this is exclusively restricted to the inhabitants of the local community of the reserve.
Article 4
1․ The authority shall determine the grazing range and the permitted capacity for each area in accordance with the necessary environmental studies.
2․ The authority shall update and amend the grazing range in the reserve whenever necessary.
3․ The authority may prohibit grazing in the reserve and remove offenders of these controls.
4․ The authority shall monitor and inspect periodically to ensure compliance with permits in the specified areas.
Article 5
The authority shall allow grazing inside the reserve for the period it specifies, subject to the following:
1․ Obtaining a permit through the website of the authority, in accordance with the conditions and requirements.
2․ Numbering livestock according to the requirements of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.
3․ The presence of a valid health certificate for the permittee and those he sponsors.
4․ Grazing during the period from six o’clock in the morning until six o’clock in the evening.
5․ Disposing of waste by placing it in the designated places and it is prohibited to bury or burn waste of all kinds.
6․ The livestock owner shall be fully responsible for his livestock during grazing.
7․ Designating a small tent or mobile room “ezba” for the shepherd to be near the livestock and protect them, and it must be designated for that purpose only.
8․ Paying the financial fee (if any).
9․ Any other requirements set by the authority.
Article 6
Any of the following practices are considered a violation of the provisions of these controls:
1․ Practicing any activity other than grazing.
2․ Taking livestock out of the designated grazing range, or bringing in additional livestock from outside.
3․ Feeding the wildlife inside the reserve.
4․ Hunting or harming wildlife inside the reserve by injuring, frightening, endangering their lives, or destroying their nests and habitats.
5․ Driving vehicles—and the like—in routes other than those designated for them inside the reserve.
6․ Camping of all kinds (canopies fixed to the ground, sleeping tents, caravans, and privacy screens “ruwaq”) other than the tent of the shepherd.
7․ Lighting or using fire in violation of the controls and requirements of the authority.
8․ Any other practices that violate the relevant laws and regulations.
Article 7
The environmental inspector shall police violations in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant entities in accordance with the legal procedures for that.
Article 8
The authority shall review and update these controls periodically—when needed—with the approval of the head and the notification of the board of directors of the authority.
Article 9
These controls apply and come into force from the date of their publication in the official gazette.
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5069 issued on 14 February 2025.
Issued by the Board of Directors of King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority Decision D-1—T9/45 dated 24 Rajab 1445, amended by Administrative Decision 000034-25-001 dated 1 January 2025
Article 1
For the purposes of applying these controls, the following terms and phrases—wherever they appear—have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise:
Controls: The Controls for Visiting Saman Area.
Reserve: The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve.
Authority: The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority.
Chief executive officer: The chief executive officer of the authority.
Zone: Part of the Saman area inside the scope of the reserve pursuant to Royal Order 42753 dated 28 Rajab 1442 [12 March 2021], with an estimated area of 12,436 km2 in accordance with the map attached to the controls.
Permit: A document granted by the authority to a person before visiting or traveling inside the zone.
Permittee: Any person who engages in activities with another person for the purpose of leisure, tourism, recreation, or otherwise inside the zone.
Article 2
These controls aim to regulate visiting and traveling in Saman area within the geographical scope of King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve in a manner that contributes to preserving the natural and plant environment and wildlife based on the Organizational Arrangements of the Royal Reserves Council and the Royal Reserves Development Authorities issued by Council of Ministers Decision 437 dated 1 Rajab 1441 [25 February 2020], as well as the Environmental Law issued by Royal Decree D/165 dated 19 Dhu Al-Qa ’dah 1441 [10 July 2020].
Article 3
The scope of application of these controls is exclusive to the zone, and the authority may specify other zones for which they apply.
Article 4
It is permitted to visit and travel inside the area from six o’clock in the morning until six o’clock in the evening, provided that entry to the area is registered on the website of the authority. It is prohibited to visit or travel during or outside these times without obtaining a permit from the authority—except for—inhabitants of the administrative centers located inside the zone (Manakh Center and Haira Center), which are both registered with the authority, and provided that the following conditions are complied with:
1․ Refraining from intentionally harming the nature of the zone, the wildlife and its associated animals or plants, or its aesthetic value.
2․ Maintaining the general cleanliness of the zone, and refraining from leaving waste of any kind, burying it, burning it, throwing it in places other than those designated for it, or taking it outside the zone.
3․ Following the safety and security procedures when traveling, and refraining from trampling vegetation or exposing the zone to pollution.
4․ Vehicle transportation inside the zone must be restricted to following previously established routes.
5․ Refraining from carrying out any works related to logging, firewood collection and transportation, hunting, or damaging any of the resources of the zone.
6․ Complying with not feeding animals or making noise that disturbs visitors or wildlife.
7․ Avoiding the use of vehicle horns inside the area except when necessary and to the minimum extent.
8․ Complying with the provisions of these controls, laws, decisions, and instructions issued in this regard related to it.
Article 5
The authority shall grant a permit for visiting or traveling inside the area outside the specified time stipulated in article 4 of these controls on the website of the authority, with the approval of the chief executive officer—or his representative—in accordance with the following mechanism:
1․ Submitting the permit application two working days prior to the date of visiting or traveling inside the area, provided that the permit applicant attaches the following requirements:
(a) A copy of a valid national identity/residency card.
(b) Date and time of the requested period.
(c) Mobile number, email, and national address.
(d) Vehicle details, as well as attaching a copy of the driver’s license.
(e) Coordinates of the location to be visited.
2․ The authority shall review the application and respond with approval/rejection within two working days from the date of receipt of the application and shall notify the permit applicant.
Article 6
Any of the following practices are considered a violation of the provisions of these controls:
1․ Providing incorrect information.
2․ Driving over vegetation by vehicles or creating new routes.
3․ Lighting fire in places other than those designated for it, such as a brazier “manqal” and the like.
4․ Camping of all kinds (canopies fixed to the ground, tents, caravans, and privacy screens “ruwaq”).
5․ Any form of harm to wildlife.
6․ Cutting, moving, or tampering with trees and plants.
7․ Refraining from collecting natural resources, such as flowers, rocks, and others.
8․ Refraining from entering with vehicles into meadows.
9․ Refraining from entering with motorcycles.
7․ Refraining from using local firewood and charcoal.
11․ Refraining from entering during unauthorized times, or entering without registering on the website of the authority during the authorised times.
12․ Any other practices that violate the relevant laws, regulations, and instructions.
Article 7
1․ The visitor shall leave the zone at the end of the authorized visiting period.
2․ The authority may seek recourse against the visitor to pay compensation in the event of damage, pollution, or environmental deterioration.
Article 8
The environmental inspector shall police violations in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant entities in accordance with the legal procedures for that.
Article 9
The authority shall review and update these controls periodically—when needed—with the approval of the head and the notification of the board of directors of the authority.
Article 10
These controls apply and come into force from the date of their publication in the official gazette.
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5069 issued on 14 February 2025.
The Council of Ministers, after perusal in its session held under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, of Royal Court File 60734 dated 19 Sha’ban 1445 [9 February 2024] regarding the Organizational Arrangements of Taif Development Authority,
after perusal of the aforementioned draft organizational arrangements,
after perusal of the financial and administrative regulations of regions and cities development authorities issued by Council of Ministers Decision 475 dated 7 Ramadan 1439 [22 May 2018],
after perusal of Royal Order 62332 dated 4 Shawwal 1443 [5 May 2022] and Royal Order 68175 dated 2 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1443 [1 June 2022],
after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memorandum 104 dated 9 Muharram 1444 [7 August 2022], Memorandum 521 dated 19 Safar 1444 [15 September 2022], Memorandum 1371 dated 3 Jumada Al-Awwal 1444 [27 November 2022], Memorandum 1761 dated 9 Jumada Al-Thani 1444 [2 January 2023], Memorandum 2701 dated 7 Ramadan 1444 [29 March 2023], Memorandum 353 dated 3 Jumada Al-Awwal 1445 [17 November 2023], Memorandum 683 dated 27 Safar 1445 [12 September 2023], Memorandum 1001 dated 25 Rabi Al-Awwal 1445 [10 October 2023], Memorandum 1721 dated 16 Jumada Al-Awwal 1445 [30 November 2023], Memorandum 2286 dated 22 Jumada Al-Thani 1445 [4 January 2024], Memorandum 3242 dated 8 Ramadan 1445 [18 March 2024], Memorandum 960 dated 16 Rabi Al-Awwal 1446 [19 September 2024], and Memorandum 2238 dated 24 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [25 December 2024],
after perusal of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs Minutes 965/46/M dated 4 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [5 December 2024],
after perusal of the Secretariat of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs Telegram 4052 dated 18 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [19 December 2024],
and after perusal of the General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 6607 dated 25 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [26 December 2024],
hereby decides
First
The Organizational Arrangements of Taif Development Authority are hereby approved in the form attached.
Second
The financial and administrative regulations of regions and cities development authorities issued by Council of Ministers Decision 475 dated 7 Ramadan 1439 [22 May 2018] hereby apply to Taif Development Authority.
Third
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Taif Development Authority and the Minister of Finance shall agree on all matters relating to investing the funds of the authority and establishing appropriate mechanisms that enable the authority to benefit from its revenues and the fees for the services and work it provides—without prejudice to the provisions of Royal Order Circular 55685 dated 30 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1438 [23 August 2017]—to ensure the financial sustainability of the authority.
Fourth
A committee is hereby formed consisting of Makkah Region Development Authority and Taif Development Authority, to coordinate the transfer of tasks and competences relating to comprehensive planning and development of Taif Governorate and related projects from Makkah Region Development Authority to Taif Development Authority.
Fifth
The first fiscal year of Taif Development Authority begins from the date of entry into force of its organizational arrangements—referred to in clause First of this decision—and it ends at the end of the next fiscal year of the state, as an exception to the provisions of clause Tenth(2) of the arrangements.
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud
Issued on: 30 Jumada Al-Thani 1446
Corresponding to: 1 January 2025
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5068 issued on 7 February 2025.
Issued by Council of Ministers Decision 454
First
The following words and phrases have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise:
1․ Authority: The Taif Development Authority.
2․ Arrangements: The organizational arrangements of the authority.
3․ Board: The board of directors of the authority.
4․ Administrative regulation: The Administrative Regulation for Regions and Cities Development Authorities.
5․ Financial regulation: The Financial Regulation for Regions and Cities Development Authorities.
6․ Regulations: The administrative regulation and the financial regulation.
7․ Supervisory scope: The geographical scope within which the authority exercises its powers. This includes Taif Governorate and the centers subordinate to the governorate that are added to this scope.
Second
The authority enjoys legal personality and financial and administrative independence. It is organizationally linked to the Prime Minister and its headquarters must be in the City of Riyadh, and it may establish offices as needed within the Kingdom.
Third
The authority aims—without prejudice to the competences of other concerned agencies and within the limits of the supervisory scope—to comprehensive planning and development in the urban, demographic, economic, developmental, social, cultural, environmental, transportation, infrastructure, and digital infrastructure fields, and also aims to provide the needs for public services and utilities. In order to achieve this, the authority shall, within the supervisory scope, undertake the following tasks and competences:
1․ Drawing up the public policies for development and growth.
2․ Preparing comprehensive strategic plans, studies, and schemes and executive programs, approving, and updating them when necessary.
3․ Directly supervising the planning, design, and implementation of strategic programs and projects, as well as related operation and maintenance works.
4․ Reviewing and approving development plans, programs, and projects—relevant to the work of the authority—prepared by government agencies, public authorities and institutions, civil associations and institutions, in a manner that ensures the achievement of balanced development.
5․ Following up on the planning of infrastructure projects in coordination with the concerned agencies.
6․ Prioritizing the implementation of programs and projects in line with development plans.
7․ Following up on the implementation of programs and projects and taking the necessary measures to ensure their implementation, in coordination with the concerned agencies, as well as applying indicators for improving and measuring the urban performance efficiency to them in light of the objectives of the approved development plans.
8․ Proposing the expropriation of some real estate based on the development needs, in coordination with the competent secretariat in the supervisory scope and with the relevant agencies, in preparation for completing the legal procedures in this regard.
9․ Supervising the rehabilitation of existing urban neighbourhoods—including historical neighbourhoods—and improving them and remedying informal settlements, developing them, and upgrading them architecturally, socially, economically, security-wise, and environmentally, as well as taking the necessary measures to ensure that this is implemented.
10․ Preparing and approving building and land use controls that contribute to the implementation of development and growth plans.
11․ Reviewing and approving land subdivision plans.
12․ Creating and managing an urban database and information systems, so that they are a unified platform and a basic reference of information on which agencies concerned with development and growth can rely on.
13․ Coordinating and organizing efforts between agencies concerned with development and growth in accordance with the approved studies and plans.
14․ Developing and supervising the necessary programs, principles, procedures, and incentives for the private sector to participate in achieving development objectives and implementing projects and services.
The authority may seek the assistance of any of the required government agencies and others, including consultancies and specialized cadres inside and outside the Kingdom, in order to achieve its tasks and competences.
Fourth
The authority must have a board of directors, the chairman and members of which are appointed by order of the Prime Minister, based on the nomination of the Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs. The term of membership in the board is three years, renewable once.
Fifth
The board is the authority responsible for managing the affairs of the authority and conducting its matters. It may, within the limits of the arrangements, take whatever decisions and procedures it deems appropriate to achieve its objectives, in particular the following:
1․ Approving the public policies, plans, and operational and executive programs of the authority.
2․ Proposing amendments to the arrangements and the regulations, and submitting them to complete the necessary procedures.
3․ Proposing the centers subordinate to Taif Governorate to be added to the supervisory scope, and submitting it to the Prime Minister for approval.
4․ Approving of the organizational structure of the authority.
5․ Approving the draft budget of the authority, its final account, the report of the accounts auditor, and the annual report, in preparation for submitting them in accordance with the applicable legal procedures.
6․ Accepting donations, gifts, awqaf, bequests, and grants in accordance with the provisions governing this.
7․ Appointing an accredited external accounts auditor and an internal financial controller.
8․ Approving the investment of the funds of the authority in a manner that achieves its objectives, in accordance with the relevant laws, instructions, and mechanisms.
9․ Approving development plans, programs, and projects—relevant to the work of the authority—prepared by government agencies, public authorities and institutions, and civil associations and institutions.
10․ Approving comprehensive strategic plans, studies, and schemes and their executive programs, and updating them when necessary.
11․ Approving the controls for building and land use.
12․ Approving land subdivision plans.
The board may delegate some of its competences to its chairman or to any of its members it deems appropriate, and may form permanent or temporary committees from its members or others, to which it may entrust whatever tasks it deems appropriate. The decision to form each committee must specify its chairman, members, and competences.
Sixth
1․ The board meetings must be held at the headquarters of the authority, chaired by the chairman of the board or his delegate from the members. It is permitted by a decision of the chairman of the board to hold it in another place.
2․ The board holds its meetings periodically four times a year, and the chairman of the board may call it to convene whenever necessary. The invitation to the meeting must be addressed by the executive president of the authority—in writing—with the approval of the chairman of the board, at least seven days before the date of the meeting, provided that the invitation includes the agenda. The meeting is not valid unless attended by at least a majority of its members, including the chairman or his delegate from the members. Decisions must be issued with the approval of at least the majority of the members in attendance, and in the event of a tie vote, the side with which the chairman of the meeting voted prevails.
3․ The board may invite any officials and experts it deems appropriate to attend its meetings to provide any information and clarifications they have, without having the right to vote.
4․ The authority shall communicate the decisions of the board to the concerned agencies after they are signed by the chairman of the board and the members in attendance, taking into account the completion of the legal procedures for the decisions that require this.
5․ The board may issue its decisions by circulation in accordance with the regulation issued by the board to govern its work.
Seventh
The authority must have an executive president who is appointed and dismissed by a decision of the board, which shall specify his salary and his other financial and employment benefits. The executive president is responsible for managing the work and affairs of the authority, and his responsibilities must be based on the limits of the arrangements and regulations. He shall exercise the following competences and responsibilities in particular:
1 . Supervising the personnel of the authority in accordance with the powers granted to him and as specified in the regulations.
2․ Supervising the technical, administrative, and financial work of the authority in accordance with the regulations and based on the policies approved in accordance with the arrangements.
3․ Following up on the implementation of the decisions issued by the board.
4․ Representing the authority before the judiciary, government agencies, and institutions within the Kingdom, as well as the relevant authorities outside the Kingdom, and he may authorize others to do so.
5․ Preparing the draft budget of the authority, its final account, the report of the accounts auditor, and the annual report, and submitting them to the board for approval.
6․ Preparing reports on the implementation of the plans of the authority and its programs and studies, and presenting them to the board.
7․ Supervising the preparation for the meetings of the board and preparing its agenda.
8․ Appointing the personnel of the authority in accordance with the regulations.
9. Contracting with local and international experts and consultants.
10․ Any other task assigned to him by the board or its chairman.
The executive president may delegate some of his powers to other personnel of the authority.
Eighth
The resources of the authority consist of the following:
1․ The financial appropriations allocated to it in the general budget of the state.
2. Donations, grants, gifts, and bequests.
3․ The returns of its awqaf in accordance with the rules set by the board.
4․ The income it receives from the returns on its investments.
5․ Any other resource approved by the board, provided that it does not violate the laws and instructions.
Ninth
1․ All revenues of the authority must be deposited in the current account of the Ministry of Finance in the Saudi Central Bank.
2. The authority shall open an account for itself in the Saudi Central Bank, and it may open other accounts in any of the banks licensed to operate in the Kingdom, and disbursement from them must be in accordance with the budget of the authority and the approved regulations.
Tenth
1․ The authority shall have an independent annual budget, which must be prepared and issued in accordance with the Arrangements for Issuing the General Budget of the State.
2․ The fiscal year of the authority is the fiscal year of the state.
Eleventh
The authority shall submit its annual final account to the Council of Ministers within 90 days from the end of the fiscal year, and a copy of it must be provided to the General Bureau for Auditing.
Twelfth
The personnel of the authority are subject to the provisions of the Labor Law and the Social Insurance Law.
Thirteenth
Without prejudice to the right of the General Bureau for Auditing to audit the accounts of the authority, the board shall appoint one or more external auditors from among natural or legal persons licensed to work in the Kingdom, and shall determine their fees. The report of the accounts auditor must be submitted to the board, and a copy of it must be provided to the General Bureau for Auditing after its approval by the board.
Fourteenth
The board shall prepare a draft system for the authority in light of the matters stated in the arrangements and those it becomes cognizant of in this regard, and shall submit it to complete the necessary legal procedures in this regard, within a period of no less than 12 months from the date of approval of the arrangements.
Fifteenth
The arrangements enter into force from the date of their approval.
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5068 issued on 7 February 2025.
The Council of Ministers,
after perusal,
in its session held under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud,
of Royal Court File 44965 dated 17 Jumada Al-Thani 1445 [30 December 2023] regarding the Minutes of the Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Reforming Pension Laws on studying the rationalizing of the payroll and wage bill and related financial rights in the civil sector and studying the provisions governing employment relations between the government and its employees,
after perusal of the Civil Pension Law issued by Royal Decree D/41 dated 29 Rajab 1393 [27 August 1973],
after perusal of the Civil Service Law issued by Royal Decree D/49 dated 10 Rajab 1397 [26 June 1977],
after perusal of the Social Insurance Law issued by Royal Decree D/33 dated 3 Ramadan 1421 [29 November 2011] and the Social Insurance Law issued by Royal Decree D/273 dated 26 Dhu Al-Hijja 1445 [2 July 2024],
after perusal of the Labor Law issued by Royal Decree D/51 dated 23 Sha’ban 1426 [27 September 2005],
after perusal of the Servants Regulation issued by Civil Service Council (abolished) Decision 3 dated 20 Ramadan 1397 [3 September 1977],
after perusal of the Regulation of Payroll Item Appointees in Administrative Entities issued by Civil Service Council (abolished) Decision 141 dated 27 Jumada Al-Awwal 1399 [24 April 1979],
after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 75 dated 29 Muharram 1440 [10 October 2018],
after perusal of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Minutes 271 dated 17 Jumada Al-Thani 1443 [20 January 2022],
Minutes 300 dated 19 Shawwal 1444 [9 May 2023],
Memorandum 1561 dated 9 Ramadan 1442 [21 April 2021],
Memorandum 452 dated 22 Safar 1443 [29 September 2021],
Memorandum 1676 dated 26 Rajab 1443 [27 February 2022],
Memorandum 162 dated 12 Muharram 1444 [10 August 2022],
Memorandum 3953 dated 24 Dhu Al-Hijja 1444 [12 July 2023],
Memorandum 3073 dated 24 Sha’ban 1445 [5 March 2024],
Memorandum 4376 dated 27 Dhu Al-Hijja 1445 [3 July 2024],
Memorandum 1731 dated 16 Jumada Al-Awwal 1446 [18 November 2024],
Memorandum 2147 dated 17 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [18 December 2024],
and Memorandum 2221 dated 23 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [24 December 2024],
after perusal of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 10/45/RC dated 28 Dhu Al-Hijja 1445 [4 July 2024],
and after perusal of the General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 6527 dated 24 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [25 December 2024],
hereby decides
First
1․ Government entities whose employees are subject to the civil service scales, before advertising their vacant positions, shall advertise through the Electronic System of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development for Internal Advertisement of Positions for a period of five days for them to be occupied by employee transfer among them. In the event that the advertising government entity is unable to have a position occupied with the appropriate qualification after advertising it through the aforementioned system, it shall advertise it according to the procedures governing the occupation of the position.
2. The provisions of paragraph 1 of this clause exclude servant and payroll item positions, as well as vital and critical positions included in the list referred to in paragraph 3 of this clause.
3․ The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Ministry of Finance shall prepare a list of vital and critical positions for which direct employment is permitted without advertising them through the system referred to in paragraph 1 of this clause, and shall coordinate in this regard with the concerned entities.
4․ The provisions of paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of this clause do not apply to positions exempted under the provisions of the Civil Service Law issued by Royal Decree D/49 dated 10 Rajab 1397 [26 June 1977] and its regulations.
Second
1․ The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Ministry of Finance shall carry out the following:
(a) Compiling vacant positions in government entities that have been vacant for five years or more, in coordination with the relevant entities.
(b) Making the necessary arrangements to abolish the newly created position for a government entity in the general budget of the state in the future, if it is not occupied within two years from the date of its creation.
2․ The Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and the Minister of Finance shall draw up a list of positions exempted from paragraph 1 of this article, taking into consideration vacant positions that are difficult for government entities to have occupied due to the lack of qualified personnel and supervisory positions.
3․ The Ministry of Finance shall take the necessary measures to abolish vacant positions based on the compilation referred to in paragraph 1(a) of this clause, with the exception of the positions exempted in accordance with paragraph 2 of this clause.
Third
Article 11 of the Regulation of Payroll Item Appointees in Administrative Entities issued by Civil Service Council (abolished) Decision 141 dated 27 Jumada Al-Awwal 1399 [24 April 1979] is hereby amended to have the following text: “A payroll item appointee in terms of working hours, leave, official holidays, allowances—including transportation allowance—additional allowance, incentive bonus, and training and secondment must be treated as prescribed for those occupying servant positions.He must be treated in terms of compensation for overtime work in accordance with the Labor Law. Guards are exempt from overtime working hours.”
Fourth
1․ Priority must be given to meeting the needs of government entities—that have special regulations for their employees subject to the Labor Law and the Social Insurance Law—from the annual employment of support and assistance job categories in accordance with the job classification guide through civil service employees in government entities through a loan for a specific period, instead of new employment, in accordance with the provisions governing that, provided that the employee is subject to a probation period of not less than 30 days and not exceeding 90 days.
2․ Government entities shall advertise the occupation of support and assistance positions on a loan basis through the Electronic System of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development for Internal Job Advertisement.
3․ The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development shall prepare a list of support and assistance job categories—referred to it in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this clause—and circulate it to government entities whose employees are subject to the Labor Law and the Social Insurance Law.
Fifth
1. A program named the “Golden Handshake” is hereby established for government entities whose employees are subject to the civil service scales, with the aim of encouraging them to leave service by resigning. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Ministry of Finance shall—in coordination with the General Organization for Social Insurance, the Pensions Laws Reform Committee, and the Social Support and Assistance System Committee, within the limits of their competence—prepare the necessary controls, conditions, procedures, and mechanisms for the program, which must include the following:
(a) Providing a financial incentive to the resigning employee and the criteria for determining it.
(b) Determining the age groups of employees targeted by the program.
(c) Determining the years of service for the employees targeted by the program.
(d) Approval of the entity and the employee targeted to benefit from the program.
(e) Priority must be given to holders of lower qualifications, then progressing to higher qualifications.
(f) Taking measures to abolish the position of the resigning employee, except for positions classified as supervisory.
(g) A government entity shall not employ anyone who has previously benefited from the program.
(h) An employee must not benefit from the program unless other options have been exhausted, such as: transferring him, loaning him, or rebuilding his skills to benefit from him in the most in-demand job tasks.
(i) The mechanism for the government entity to advertise the program to its employees targeted by the program, ensuring that the rights and obligations incurred by them are clarified if they agree to benefit from it.
(j) Those who meet the terms and conditions of early retirement must not benefit from the program.
The Minister of Finance and the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development shall approve the aforementioned controls, conditions, procedures, and mechanisms.
2․ The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development shall annually—in coordination with the General Organization for Social Insurance, the Pensions Laws Reform Committee, and the Social Support and Assistance System Committee, within the limits of their competence—review the controls, conditions, procedures, and mechanisms referred to in paragraph 1 above, and a report must be submitted on this.
3․ Ministries, authorities, public establishments, and other entities of public legal character, which have special regulations for their employees subject to the Labor Law and the Social Insurance Law, or which have special regulations for their employees subject to the Civil Pension Law, shall create programs aimed at incentivizing their employees to leave service by resigning, in accordance with the following:
(a) If the entity is not funded from the general budget of the state and has a board of directors—or the like—then the board may establish the programs it deems appropriate to incentivize leaving service, provided that the entity calculates the additional financial costs that may arise for either the Civil Pension or Social Insurance Laws as a result of any of these programs before implementing them, in coordination with the General Organization for Social Insurance.
(b) If the entity is funded from the general budget of the state and has a board of directors—or the like—then the board may develop the programs it deems appropriate to incentivize leaving service, provided that the entity adheres to the controls, conditions, procedures, and mechanisms specified by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for the Golden Handshake Program referred to in paragraph 1 of this clause when developing the program.
(c) If the entity is funded from the general budget of the state and does not have a board of directors—or the like—then the Golden Handshake Program referred to in paragraph 1 of this clause must be implemented, and the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development shall determine the controls, conditions, procedures, and mechanisms of the program that do not apply to the entity.
Sixth
The ceiling for the costs allocated to the Golden Handshake Program—referred to in clause Fifth(1) of this decision—for the fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027 must be an amount not exceeding a total of 12,754,000,000 (twelve billion and seven hundred and fifty-four million) Riyals.
Seventh
The Minister of Finance is hereby authorised—if needed—to manage and add a necessary amount from the amount mentioned in clause Sixth of this decision, during the fiscal year 1446/1447 [2025]—with an amount not exceeding a total of 5,059,700,000 (five billion and fifty-nine million and seven hundred thousand) Riyals—to the general budget of the state for the fiscal year 1446/1447 [2025], and to create an item in the budget of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development allocated to the Golden Handshake Program, in accordance with the rules and procedures governing this, and disbursement from the amount must be limited to the purpose for which it is allocated. The Minister of Finance is also hereby granted the authority to transfer from the item allocated to the Golden Handshake Program to the budgets of other entities that will benefit from the program in accordance with the procedures followed.
Eighth
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development shall include the necessary amounts for the fiscal years 1447/1448 [2026] and 1448/1449 [2027] for the Golden Handshake Program from the amount referred to in clause Sixth of this decision, when debating its budget within the draft general budget of the state, and shall coordinate with the Ministry of Finance regarding the financial requirements for implementing quick wins and comprehensive strategic paths to rationalize and sustain the public sector payroll and wage bill, estimated at 22,980,600 (twenty-two million and nine hundred and eighty thousand and six hundred) Riyals for the coming years.
Ninth
Government entities whose employees are subject to civil service scales shall occupy a percentage of their positions through part-time contracts in accordance with the provisions governing this, and this percentage must be determined by agreement between the government entity and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud
Issued on: 30 Jumada Al-Thani 1446
Corresponding to: 1 January 2025
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5067 issued on 31 January 2025.
The Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture,
based on the powers entrusted to him by law,
after perusal of the provisions of the Waste Management Law issued by Royal Decree D/3 dated 5 Muharram 1443 [13 August 2021],
based on clause First of Ministerial Decision 332291 dated 18 Shawwal 1443 [19 May 2022] approving the Executive Regulation of the Waste Management Law,
after perusal of the System of the National Center for Waste Management issued by Council of Ministers Decision 457 dated 11 Sha’ban 1440 [16 April 2019],
Given the importance of establishing a mechanism that contributes to the exercise of the tasks entrusted to the center,
and in pursuance of the interest of work,
hereby decides
First
The Technical Controls and Guides for the Waste Management Law and its executive regulation are hereby approved consisting of 14 guides as shown in the attached statement.
Second
This decision must be published in the official gazette, and comes into force on the date of its publication.
Third
This decision must be communicated to those who are required to implement it and act on it.
May Allah provide success.
The Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Waste Management
Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley
Issued on: 1 Rajab 1446
Corresponding to: 1 January 2025
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5066 issued on 24 January 2025.
