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Council of Ministers Decision

Council of Ministers: Decision 719 Amending Article 27 of the Mining Investment Law

Arabic

The Council of Ministers,

after perusal of Royal Court File 49640 dated 18 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [9 December 2025], which includes the Minister of Interior Telegram 299645 dated 5 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1444 [25 May 2023], and the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification Telegram 157334 dated 1 Rajab 1444 [23 January 2023], regarding certain legal aspects related to mining and logging,

after perusal of the Mineral Investment Law issued by Royal Decree D/140 dated 19 Shawwal 1441 [11 June 2020],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 881 dated 16 Rabi Al-Awwal 1445 [1 October 2023], Memo 258 dated 13 Muharram 1446 [19 July 2024], Memo 2371 dated 5 Rajab 1446 [5 January 2025], Memo 3465 dated 23 Shawwal 1446 [21 April 2025], Memo 312 dated 26 Muharram 1447 [21 July 2025], Memo 1870 dated 21 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [12 November 2025], and Memo 3114 dated 6 Ramadan 1447 [23 February 2026],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 21-47/4/R dated 3 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [25 September 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Minutes 1417/47/M dated 19 Ramadan 1447 [8 March 2026],

after considering Shura Council Decision 151/12 dated 17 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [8 December 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 10097 dated 20 Ramadan 1447 [9 March 2026],

hereby decides

First

Article 27 of the Mineral Investment Law issued by Royal Decree D/140 dated 19 Shawwal 1441 [11 June 2020] is hereby amended to read as follows:

1․ The competent representatives of the ministry must have the capacity of administrative enforcement, and they may enter the sites of mining licenses in accordance with the law, for the purposes of inspection, supervision, the control of violations, and ensuring that the licensee complies with the provisions of the law, the regulations, and the conditions of the license. The licensee shall cooperate with the representatives of the ministry in a manner that enables them to perform their tasks to the fullest extent possible.

2․ The competent representatives of the ministry—referred to in paragraph 1 of this article—and public authority officers from ministries, other government agencies, and security entities—who carry out activities in accordance with their respective laws to police violations or related offenses—have the status of criminal investigation officers when they discover any of the offenses stipulated in article 56bis of the law during their field inspections within the scope of their territorial jurisdiction. They may also receive reports in order to police such offenses.

3․ The Ministry of Interior shall provide security support for the detection of the offenses referred to in this article upon a request from any of the entities referred to in paragraph 2 of this article.

4․ The criminal investigation officers referred to in this article may seize records, documents, tools, equipment, and other items related to the crime, at the expense of the perpetrator, and the investigating officer shall take the necessary legal action in this regard.

Second

The amendment—referred to in clause First—comes into force after the lapse of 180 days from the date of its publication in the official gazette.

A draft royal decree has been prepared in the form attached.

Third

Within a period not exceeding 120 days from the date of this decision, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, in collaboration with the other ministries and government agencies referred to in article 27(2) of the Mineral Investment Law, shall establish a coordination mechanism and a procedural guide to ensure the proper application of the procedures relating to the policing of the offenses stipulated in article 56bis of the Mineral Investment Law and to achieve the integration of their respective roles. This mechanism must include the classification of such offenses, the identification of the necessary modern technologies to assist in their policing, the development of templates for police reports, and the completion of the necessary procedures in this regard, including the manner in which reports are received from whistleblowers, public authority officers, and security entities—referred to in article 27(2) of the law—and the mechanism for processing such reports. However, if certain entities express a view with which the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources does not agree, the entity or ministry in question may–after half of that period has elapsed—submit to His Majesty its view, the reasons for it, and appropriate proposals in this regard.

Fourth

The Ministry of Interior (Special Forces for Environmental Security) and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources shall determine their needs in order to support them with the capabilities, mechanisms and personnel required to carry out their tasks stipulated in article 27 of the law, including the provision of premises for these forces, technical development related to the detection and control of crimes, and the establishment of appropriate mechanisms for this purpose. The determination of these needs must encompass matters related to the control and prevention of illegal logging practices and other environmental violations, including the establishment of a force base in the Governorate of Wadi Al-Dawasir. The financial requirements must be discussed in accordance with the rules for preparing the general budget of the state and the instructions issued in this regard.

Fifth

After coordinating with the entities referred to in article 27(2) of the Mineral Investment Law, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources shall, two years after the date of entry into force of the amendment referred to in clause First, prepare a report containing an assessment of the results, challenges, and difficulties encountered by the ministry and those entities, as well as appropriate proposals in this regard, and shall submit the report to the Prime Minister for the necessary action to be taken.

The Prime Minister

Issued on: 21 Ramadan 1447
Corresponding to: 10 March 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5151 issued on 30 March 2026.

Categories
Council of Ministers Decision

Council of Ministers: Decision 720 Approving the Naming of the Year 2026 as the “Year of Artificial Intelligence”

Arabic

The Council of Ministers,

after perusal of Royal Court File 46827 dated 9 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [30 November 2025], which includes Saudi Data and AI Authority Telegram 4745 dated 6 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [27 November 2025], requesting approval to name the year 2026 as the “Year of Artificial Intelligence”,

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 2516 dated 16 Rajab 1447 [5 January 2026],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 24-32/47/I dated 10 Sha’ban 1447 [29 January 2026],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 9739 dated 9 Ramadan 1447 [26 February 2026],

hereby decides

The naming of the year 2026 as the “Year of Artificial Intelligence” is hereby approved.

The Prime Minister

Issued on: 21 Ramadan 1447
Corresponding to: 10 March 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5150 issued on 19 March 2026.

Categories
Council of Ministers Decision

Council of Ministers: Decision 717 Appointing a Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Martyrs, Injured, Prisoners, and Missing Persons Fund

Arabic

The Council of Ministers,

after perusal of Royal Court File 66409 dated 20 Sha’ban 1447 [8 February 2026], regarding the appointment of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Fund for Martyrs, Wounded, Prisoners of War, and Missing in Action,

after perusal of the Statute of the Fund for Martyrs, Wounded, Prisoners of War, and Missing in Action issued by Council of Ministers Decision 366 dated 14 Sha’ban 1436 [1 June 2015],

after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 119 dated 2 Safar 1446 [6 August 2024],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 10041 dated 19 Ramadan 1447 [8 March 2026],

hereby decides

Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the Minister of Defense, is hereby appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Fund for Martyrs, Wounded, Prisoners of War, and Missing in Action.

The Prime Minister

Issued on: 21 Ramadan 1447
Corresponding to: 10 March 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5151 issued on 30 March 2026.

Categories
Council of Ministers Decision

Council of Ministers: Decision 718 Approving the Muscat Document on Rules for Child Protection During the Investigation Phase in the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf

Arabic

The Council of Ministers,

after perusal of Royal Court File 58461 dated 21 Rajab 1447 [10 January 2026], which includes Public Prosecution Telegrams 109831 dated 25 Jumada Al-Thani 1445 [7 January 2024] and 111431 dated 27 Jumada Al-Thani 1445 [9 January 2024], regarding the draft Muscat Document on the Rules for the Protection of Children During the Investigation Phase in the States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf,

after perusal of the mentioned draft document,

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 4341 dated 24 Dhu Al-Hijja 1445 [30 June 2024], Memo 703 dated 25 Safar 1446 [29 August 2024], Memo 1655 dated 12 Jumada Al-Awwal 1446 [14 November 2024], Memo 3184 dated 19 Ramadan 1446 [19 March 2025], Memo 3517 dated 26 Shawwal 1446 [24 April 2025], Memo 399 dated 28 Muharram 1447 [23 July 2025], and Memo 2135 dated 9 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [30 November 2025],

after perusal of Secretariat of the Council of Political and Security Affairs Telegram 10026 dated 14 Rajab 1446 [14 January 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 17-30/46/I dated 30 Rajab 1446 [30 January 2025],

after considering Shura Council Decision 194/16 dated 17 Rajab 1447 [6 January 2026],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 9221 dated 23 Sha’ban 1447 [11 February 2026],

hereby decides

The Muscat Document on the Rules for the Protection of Children During the Investigation Phase in the States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, adopted by the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf at its 44th session held in the city of Doha on 21 Jumada Al-Awwal 1445, corresponding to 5 December 2023, is hereby approved as binding in the form attached.

The Prime Minister

Issued on: 21 Ramadan 1447
Corresponding to: 10 March 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5152 issued on 3 April 2026.

Categories
Council of Ministers Decision

Council of Ministers: Decision 723 Amending an Article of the Statute of the General Organization for Military Industries

Arabic

The Council of Ministers,

after perusal of Royal Court File 15688 dated 25 Safar 1447 [19 August 2025], regarding the amendment of the Statute of the General Organization for Military Industries,

after perusal of Royal Order 55685 dated 30 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1438 [23 August 2017] and Royal Order 5445 dated 29 Muharram 1442 [17 September 2020],

after perusal of the Statute of the General Organization for Military Industries issued by Council of Ministers Decision 285 dated 22 Sha’ban 1434 [1 July 2013],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 1085 dated 18 Rabi Al-Awwal 1447 [10 September 2025], Memo 1768 dated 13 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [4 November 2025], and Memo 2262 dated 20 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [11 December 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Minutes 1213/47/M dated 19 Rajab 1447 [8 January 2026],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 9371 dated 28 Sha’ban 1447 [16 February 2026],

hereby decides

Article 14(2) of the Statute of the General Organization for Military Industries issued by Council of Ministers Decision 285 dated 22 Sha’ban 1434 [1 July 2013] is hereby amended to read as follows:

“All revenues of the organisation must be deposited in the Treasury Single Account in the Saudi Central Bank, and the organisation may open accounts in banks licensed to operate in the Kingdom and abroad.”

The Prime Minister

Issued on: 21 Ramadan 1447
Corresponding to: 10 March 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5152 issued on 3 April 2026.

Categories
Council of Ministers Decision

Council of Ministers: Decision 722 Amending Articles in Three Laws

Arabic

The Council of Ministers,

after perusal of Royal Court File 85052 dated 26 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1445 [3 June 2024], which includes Minister of Economy and Planning Telegram 4505271 dated 19 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1445 [27 May 2024], regarding his request to approve the inclusion of a representative of the ministry on the boards of directors of a number of government entities,

after perusal of the Statute of the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission issued by Council of Ministers Decision 74 dated 5 Rabi Al-Awwal 1422 [28 May 2001],

after perusal of the Statute of the General Authority for Military Industries issued by Council of Ministers Decision 210 dated 25 Rabi Al-Thani 1440 [1 January 2019],

after perusal of the Statute of the National Center for Non-Profit Sector issued by Council of Ministers Decision 618 dated 20 Shawwal 1442 [1 June 2021],

after perusal of Royal Order 91799 dated 13 Dhu Al-Hijja 1446 [9 June 2025],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 603 dated 17 Safar 1446 [21 August 2024], Memo 669 dated 16 Safar 1447 [10 August 2025], Memo 1831 dated 19 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [10 November 2025], and Memo 3252 dated 16 Ramadan 1447 [5 March 2026],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 11-11/47/I dated 12 Rabi Al-Awwal 1447 [4 September 2025] and Minutes 965/47/M dated 13 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [4 December 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 10042 dated 19 Ramadan 1447 [8 March 2026],

hereby decides

First

1․ Article 4 of the Statute of the General Authority for Military Industries issued by Council of Ministers Decision 210 dated 25 Rabi Al-Thani 1440 [1 January 2019] is hereby amended by adding a representative of the Ministry of Economy and Planning to the membership of the Board of Directors of the authority and by amending the number of members with expertise in the field of work of the authority, so that the article reads as follows:

(a The authority must have a board of directors whose chairman is appointed by a decision by the Council of Ministers, and which includes the membership of the following:

1 The Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources.

2 The Minister of Finance.

3 The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Military Industries.

4 The Deputy Minister of Defense.

5 Representatives from the Ministry of Defense.

6 A representative from the Ministry of Interior. 7. A representative from the Ministry of the National Guard.

8 A representative from the Ministry of Economy and Planning.

9 A representative from the Presidency of State Security.

10 Three persons with expertise in the field of work of the authority, appointed by an order of the prime minister based on a proposal by the chairman of the board. Their membership is for a period of three years, renewable once.

(b The rank of the representatives of the government agencies referred to in paragraph (a)(5), (6), (7), (8), and (9) of this article must not be less than the excellent rank or its equivalent.

(c The chairman of the board shall select a deputy from among the members stipulated in paragraph (a)(1), (2), (3), and (4) of this article.

2․ The current Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Military Industries shall continue in office until a chairman of the board is appointed in accordance with the amendment referred to in paragraph 1 of this clause, and the members of the board with expertise in the field of work of the authority, appointed by Royal Order 91799 dated 13 Dhu Al-Hijja 1446 [9 June 2025], shall continue in office until the end of their term, as stipulated in the mentioned order.

Second

Article 4 of the Statute of the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission issued by Council of Ministers Decision 74 dated 5 Rabi Al-Awwal 1422 [28 May 2001] is hereby amended by adding a paragraph numbered (d) to it with the following text: “(d) A representative from the Ministry of Economy and Planning,” and the paragraphs of the article are reordered accordingly.

Third

Article 5 of the Statute of the National Center for Non-Profit Sector issued by Council of Ministers Decision 618 dated 20 Shawwal 1442 [1 June 2021] is hereby amended by adding a paragraph numbered 5 to clause First of the article, with the following text: “5. A representative from the Ministry of Economy and Planning.” The paragraphs of clause First and the paragraphs referred to in clause Third of the article are reordered accordingly.

The Prime Minister

Issued on: 21 Ramadan 1447
Corresponding to: 10 March 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5151 issued on 30 March 2026.

Categories
Royal Decree

Royal Decree D/208 Approving That the Actuarial Impact on Pension Funds in Retirement Systems Resulting From Transformation and Privatization Processes Be Considered as Arising From the Nature of Those Systems

Arabic

With the help of Allah the Almighty

We, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud,

the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,

based on article 70 of the Basic Law of Governance issued by Royal Order O/90 dated 27 Sha’ban 1412 [1 March 1992],

based on article 20 of the Law of the Council of Ministers issued by Royal Order O/13 dated 3 Rabi Al-Awwal 1414 [20 August 1993],

based on article 18 of the Law of the Shura Council issued by Royal Order O/91 dated 27 Sha’ban 1412 [1 March 1992],

after perusal of Shura Council Decision 178/14 dated 3 Rajab 1447 [23 December 2025],

and after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 687 dated 14 Ramadan 1447 [3 March 2026],

have decreed as follows

First

Article 6(5) of the Law on the Exchange of Benefits Between the Civil and Military Pension Laws and the Social Insurance Law issued by Royal Decree D/53 dated 23 Rajab 1424 [20 September 2003] is hereby repealed.

Second

His Royal Highness the Prime Minister, the ministers, and the heads of independent concerned agencies—each within their mandates—shall implement this decree of Ours.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 20 Ramadan 1447
Corresponding to: 9 March 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5151 issued on 30 March 2026.

Categories
Royal Decree

Royal Decree D/201 Approving the General Cooperation Agreement Between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Ghana

Arabic

With the help of Allah the Almighty

We, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud,

the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,

based on article 70 of the Basic Law of Governance issued by Royal Order O/90 dated 27 Sha’ban 1412 [1 March 1992],

based on article 20 of the Law of the Council of Ministers issued by Royal Order O/13 dated 3 Rabi Al-Awwal 1414 [20 August 1993],

based on article 18 of the Law of the Shura Council issued by Royal Order O/91 dated 27 Sha’ban 1412 [1 March 1992],

after perusal of Shura Council Decision 175/14 dated 3 Rajab 1447 [23 December 2025],

and after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 679 dated 14 Ramadan 1447 [3 March 2026],

have decreed as follows

First

The General Agreement on Cooperation Between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Ghana signed in the city of Accra on 28 Rabi Al-Thani 1447, corresponding to 20 October 2025, is hereby approved in the form attached.

Second

His Royal Highness the Prime Minister, the ministers, and the heads of independent concerned agencies—each within their area of mandates—shall implement this decree of Ours.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 20 Ramadan 1447
Corresponding to: 9 March 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5150 issued on 19 March 2026.

Categories
Laws and Regulations

The Constitution of the Riyadh University for the Arts

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Categories
Circular

King: Circular 73620 Establishing the Riyadh University for the Arts in Accordance with Its Constitution

Arabic

We have reviewed the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Letter 13981 dated 13 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [4 December 2025], which includes a copy of the Minister of Culture Telegram 2167 dated 28 Rabi Al-Awwal 1446 [1 October 2024], regarding the establishment and founding of an independent cultural university, and the clarifications provided by him and the opinion of the General Committee of the Council of Ministers in this regard,

approve the following

First

The Riyadh University of Arts is hereby established in accordance with its constitution, attached to Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 380 dated 27 Muharram 1447 [22 July 2025] .

Second

The Minister of Culture is hereby authorized to exercise the powers of the Board of Trustees of the Riyadh University of Arts—stipulated in the constitution referred to in clause First above—until the board of trustees is formed in accordance with the mentioned constitution.

Third

The Minister of Culture, in agreement with the Minister of Finance, shall determine the amount of an annual subsidy to be allocated by the state to the Riyadh University of Arts through the approved budgets of the culture sector, until the year 2030, and the allocation of government subsidies to the university after this must be considered in accordance with the established procedures.

Fourth

The approval of the regulations governing the financial affairs of the Riyadh University of Arts, as well as provisions with financial impact in regulations, policies, and the like, and any amendments to them, must be carried out in agreement with the Ministry of Finance, for the entire period during which the University receives government subsidies. The management of any costs must be from the approved budgets of the cultural sector, after re-prioritizing the expenditure, and must not entail any additional financial impact on the general budget of the state or request to increase the approved ceilings. If this is not possible, funding must be sought from the approved ceilings for the relevant approved regional and sectoral strategies. So complete what is required by it.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 16 Ramadan 1447
Corresponding to: 5 March 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5149 issued on 13 March 2026.