Category: Council of Ministers Decision

Arabic

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 65434 dated 10 Ramadan 1446 [10 March 2025], which includes the Minister of Culture Telegram 6821 dated 4 Ramadan 1446 [4 March 2025], regarding the draft Organisational Arrangements of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy,

after perusal of the mentioned draft organizational arrangements,

after perusal of Royal Order 50175 dated 29 Sha’ban 1441 [22 April 2020],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 46 dated 8 Muharram 1447 [3 July 2025], Memo 1895 dated 21 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [12 November 2025], and Memo 2544 dated 18 Rajab 1447 [7 January 2026],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Minutes 968/47/M dated 13 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [4 December 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 8448 dated 5 Sha’ban 1447 [24 January 2026],

hereby decides

First

The Organisational Arrangements of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy is hereby approved in the form attached.

Second

The supervisory committee—stipulated in clause Fifth of the organizational arrangements referred to in clause First of this decision—shall prepare a draft statute for the center with reference to the mentioned organizational arrangements, and the matters that may appear in this regard, and submit it to complete the necessary legal procedures in this regard, within 24 months from its date.

Third

The management of any costs must be from the approved budget of the Ministry of Culture, 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, and if this is not possible, funding must be sought through the approved ceilings of the relevant approved strategies.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 22 Sha’ban 1447
Corresponding to: 10 February 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5145 issued on 20 February 2026.

Arabic

The Council of Ministers,

after perusal of Royal Court File 72191 dated 6 Shawwal 1446 [4 April 2025], which includes Minister of Finance Letter 12156 dated 6 Dhu Al-Hijja 1445 [12 June 2024], regarding the Final Account of the State for the Fiscal Year 1442/1443 (2021),

after perusal of the Basic Law of Governance issued by Royal Order O/90 dated 27 Sha’ban 1412 [2 March 1992],

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

after perusal of the Final Account of the State for Fiscal Year 1442/1443 (2021),

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 1339 dated 18 Rabi Al-Thani 1446 [21 October 2024] and Memo 358 dated 27 Muharram 1447 [22 July 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 11-4/47/R dated 3 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [25 September 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 5771 dated 26 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [17 November 2025],

hereby decides

The Final Account of the State for Fiscal Year 1442/1443 (2021) is hereby approved.

The Prime Minister

Issued on: 15 Sha’ban 1447
Corresponding to: 3 February 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5144 issued on 13 February 2026.

Arabic

The Council of Ministers,

after perusal of Royal Court File 47963 dated 12 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [3 December 2025], which includes the Minister of Culture, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, Telegram 1957 dated 23 Rabi Al-Awwal 1445 [8 October 2023], regarding the draft National Policy for the Arabic Language in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,

after perusal of the mentioned draft policy,

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 854 dated 12 Rabi Al-Thani 1443 [17 November 2021], Memo 1555 dated 5 Jumada Al-Awwal 1445 [19 November 2023], Memo 459 dated 7 Safar 1446 [11 August 2024], Memo 2839 dated 14 Sha’ban 1446 [13 February 2025], Memo 4186 dated 29 Dhu Al-Hijja 1446 [26 June 2025], and Memo 871 dated 27 Safar 1447 [21 August 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 13-3/47/I dated 15 Muharram 1447 [10 July 2025],

after considering Shura Council Decision 120/11 dated 10 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [1 December 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 8037 dated 25 Rajab 1447 [14 January 2026],

hereby decides

First

The National Policy for the Arabic Language in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is hereby approved in the form attached.

Second

Public entities shall follow up on the implementation of the principles mentioned in clause Fifth of the policy referred to in clause First above, each within its mandate. King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language shall prepare a periodic report to assess the impact of the activation of the policy in the Kingdom, which must be submitted to the board of trustees of the academy. The academy shall work on procedures or initiatives that support the objectives of the policy.

The Prime Minister

Issued on: 15 Sha’ban 1447
Corresponding to: 3 February 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5144 issued on 13 February 2026.

Arabic

The Council of Ministers,

after perusal of Royal Court File 48353 dated 13 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [4 December 2025], which includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Telegram 131598 dated 8 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [30 October 2025], regarding the final signed version of the draft General Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus,

after perusal of the mentioned final version,

after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 498 dated 23 Rajab 1444 [14 February 2023],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 1918 dated 22 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [13 November 2025],

after considering Shura Council Decision 132/11 dated 10 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [1 December 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 7194 dated 4 Rajab 1447 [24 December 2025],

hereby decides

The General Agreement on Cooperation Between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus signed in the city of New York on 4 Rabi Al-Thani 1447, corresponding to 26 September 2025, is hereby approved in the form attached.

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

The Prime Minister

Issued on: 15 Sha’ban 1447
Corresponding to: 3 February 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5145 issued on 20 February 2026.

Arabic

The Council of Ministers,

after perusal of Royal Court File 41525 dated 21 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [12 November 2025], which includes Minister of Economy and Planning Telegram 4701036 dated 28 Rabi Al-Awwal 1447 [20 September 2025], regarding the final signed version of the draft General Agreement on Cooperation Between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Estonia,

after perusal of the mentioned final version,

after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 711 dated 24 Sha’ban 1445 [5 March 2024],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 1440 dated 17 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [9 October 2025],

after considering Shura Council Decision 101/9 dated 19 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [10 November 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 7027 dated 1 Rajab 1447 [21 December 2025],

hereby decides

The draft General Agreement on Cooperation Between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Estonia signed in the city of Riyadh on 18 Rabi Al-Awwal 1447, corresponding to 10 September 2025, is hereby approved in the form attached.

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

The Prime Minister

Issued on: 8 Sha’ban 1447
Corresponding to: 2 February 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5144 issued on 13 February 2026.

Arabic

The Council of Ministers,

after perusal of Royal Court File 48266 dated 13 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [4 December 2025], which includes Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property Telegram 29166 dated 8 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1441 [29 June 2020], regarding the draft Copyright Law,

after perusal of the mentioned draft law,

after perusal of the Copyright Protection Law issued by Royal Decree D/41 dated 2 Rajab 1424 [30 August 2003],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 852 dated 10 Rabi Al-Awwal 1444 [6 October 2022], Memo 3688 dated 26 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1444 [15 June 2023], Memo 4142 dated 29 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1445 [6 June 2024], Memo 1754 dated 19 Jumada Al-Awwal 1446 [21 November 2024], Memo 2191 dated 18 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [19 December 2024], Memo 469 dated 2 Safar 1447 [27 July 2025], and Memo 642 dated 13 Safar 1447 [7 August 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Minutes 339/47/M dated 27 Safar 1447 [21 August 2025],

after considering Shura Council Decision 305/30 dated 21 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1446 [19 May 2025] and Decision 121/11 dated 10 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [1 December 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 7834 dated 19 Rajab 1447 [8 January 2026],

hereby decides

First

The Copyright Law is hereby approved in the form attached.

Second

The competent entity stipulated in article 6 of the draft law, referred to in clause First of this decision, is the Ministry of Culture. The Minister of Culture may delegate any cultural commissions he deems fit to act on behalf of the Ministry of Culture.

Third

The competent entity stipulated in article 20 of the draft law, referred to in clause First of this decision, is the General Commission for the Guardianship of Trust Funds for Minors and Their Counterparts.

Fourth

The competent entity stipulated in article 52(2) of the draft law, referred to in clause First of this decision, is the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority. The controls and procedures stipulated in that paragraph must be agreed upon with it.

Fifth

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, after agreement with the Ministry of Culture, shall submit the draft regulation for collective management, after completing its preparation in accordance with the relevant legal procedures, to complete the necessary legal procedures in this regard.

Sixth

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, in agreement with the Ministry of Finance and the Non-Oil Revenue Development Center, shall determine the fee stipulated in article 40 of the draft law referred to in clause First of this decision, until the issuance of the Governance of the Practice of Imposing the Fee for Services and Works Provided by Entities That Have the Legal Authority to Impose a Fee, and its entry into force.

Seventh

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property shall agree with the Ministry of Finance on the establishment of controls and procedures for granting the remuneration mentioned in articles 54 and 55 of the draft law referred to in clause First of this decision.

Eighth

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property shall deposit any amount of money collected as a result of the application of the provisions of the draft law, referred to in clause First of this decision, in the Treasury Single Account—formerly the current account of the Ministry of Finance—in the Saudi Central Bank.

Ninth

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property shall coordinate with the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission when setting the provisions of article 49 of the draft law, referred to in clause First of this decision, in the executive regulation of the draft law.

Tenth

The protection provided for in the draft law referred to in clause First of this decree is restricted if a foreign state does not protect the citizens of the Kingdom under international agreements and treaties.

A draft royal decree has been prepared for the provisions of clauses First and Tenth, in the form attached to this.

The Prime Minister

Issued on: 8 Sha’ban 1447
Corresponding to: 27 January 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5144 issued on 13 February 2026.

Arabic

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 625 dated 3 Muharram 1447 [28 June 2025], which includes Saudi Authority for Gaming and Esports Letter 267 dated 26 Dhu Al-Hijja 1446 [22 June 2025], regarding the request of the authority to be exempted from submitting the annual report for the first fiscal year ending on 31 December 2024,

after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 436 dated 6 Jumada Al-Thani 1445 [19 December 2023],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 555 dated 6 Safar 1447 [31 July 2025], Memo 1311 dated 8 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [30 September 2025], and Memo 1709 dated 7 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [29 October 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Minutes 359/47/M dated 27 Safar 1447 [21 August 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 5831 dated 27 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [18 November 2025],

hereby decides

The amendment of the ending of clause Fourth of Council of Ministers Decision 436 dated 6 Jumada Al-Thani 1445 [19 December 2023] is hereby approved so that the clause reads as follows:

Fourth

As an exception to the provisions of clause 12(2) of the Organizational Arrangements of the Saudi Authority for Gaming and Esports, the first fiscal year of the Saudi Authority for Gaming and Esports begins from the date of entry into force of its organizational arrangements, and ends at the end of the fiscal year 1448/1449 [2027].

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 1 Sha’ban 1447
Corresponding to: 20 January 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5142 issued on 30 January 2026.

Arabic

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 45264 dated 22 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [23 December 2024], which includes the Minister of Commerce Telegram 20257 dated 18 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [19 December 2024], regarding the review of the provisions of article 5 of the Franchise Law issued by Royal Decree D/22 dated 9 Safar 1441 [8 October 2019],

after perusal of the Franchise Law issued by Royal Decree D/22 dated 9 Safar 1441 [8 October 2019],

after perusal of clause Third of Royal Decree D/22 dated 9 Safar 1441 [8 October 2019],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 1174 dated 6 Rabi Al-Thani 1446 [9 October 2024], Memo 3014 dated 4 Ramadan 1446 [4 March 2025], Memo 4098 dated 21 Dhu Al-Hijja 1446 [17 June 2025], Memo 850 dated 26 Safar 1447 [20 September 2025], and Memo 1854 dated 20 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [11 November 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 9-4/47/R dated 3 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [25 September 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 6296 dated 9 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [30 November 2025],

hereby decides

First

The non-application of the requirement provided in article 5(1) of the Franchise Law—issued by Royal Decree D/22 dated 9 Safar 1441 [8 October 2019]—is hereby approved in regard to certain categories of franchisors and franchisees, in accordance with the following:

Criteria	Criteria Details
1․ The franchise business must be in a promising sector in the Kingdom and the goal is to increase the number of practitioners in it.	If the franchise is within a targeted sector in Vision 2030 or its programs, and the goal is to expand the number of practitioners in it.
2․ The franchisor must provide a clear and detailed franchise business model.	It contains detailed instructions and market analysis, and is a practical guide with a feasibility study that guarantees success.
3․ That the franchise business activity is innovative, or a product or a service that contributes to the development of the national economy or meets the needs of the local market.	Innovation, economic impact, or response to market need is considered when evaluating demand.
4․ That the franchisor does not require the franchisee to pay for the franchise before practicing the franchise business, and the fee must be after the franchisee achieves revenues from practicing the franchise business as determined by the franchise agreement.	To reduce operational risk to the franchisee and link the consideration to the realisation of actual revenue.

Second

The application of the criteria—referred to in clause First of this decision—must be through a committee formed under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Commerce, and the membership of the Ministry of Investment and the Ministry of Economy and Planning.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 24 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 13 January 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5142 issued on 30 January 2026.

Arabic

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 10496 dated 6 Safar 1447 [31 July 2025], which includes the Minister of Education, Chairman of the Council of Universities Affairs, Telegram 4601142728 dated 28 Muharram 1447 [23 July 2025], regarding his request for approval to appoint the Vice Minister of Education to the membership of the Council of University Affairs, replacing the Vice Minister of Education for Universities, Research, and Innovation,

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

after perusal of the Law of Universities issued by Royal Decree D/27 dated 2 Rabi Al-Awwal 1441 [30 October 2019],

after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 657 dated 10 Sha’ban 1445 [20 February 2024],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 1014 dated 11 Rabi Al-Awwal 1447 [3 September 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 25-15/47/I dated 12 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [4 October 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 5829 dated 27 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [18 November 2025],

hereby decides

Article 6(2) of the Law of Universities issued by Royal Decree D/27 dated 2 Rabi Al-Awwal 1441 [30 October 2019] is hereby amended by replacing the phrase “Vice Minister of Education for Universities, Research, and Innovation” with the phrase “Vice Minister of Education”.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 24 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 13 January 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5141 issued on 23 January 2026.

Arabic

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 43626 dated 28 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [19 November 2025], regarding the draft Statute of the National Committee for Education, Culture, and Science,

after perusal of the mentioned draft statute,

after perusal of the Law of Diplomatic and Special Passports issued by Royal Decree D/17 dated 22 Rabi Al-Thani 1392 [4 June 1972],

after perusal of the Organizational Arrangements of the National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science issued by Council of Ministers Decision 467 dated 17 Sha’ban 1442 [30 March 2021],

after perusal of the Rules for Approving the Provisions Governing the Affairs of Employees in Public Agencies and Their Compensation issued by Council of Ministers Decision 721 dated 26 Shawwal 1444 [17 May 2023],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 2395 dated 3 Rajab 1445 [15 January 2024], Memo 248 dated 13 Muharram 1446 [19 July 2024], Memo 1037 dated 26 Rabi Al-Awwal 1446 [29 September 2024], Memo 1735 dated 16 Jumada Al-Awwal 1446 [18 November 2024], Memo 2173 dated 18 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [18 January 2025], Memo 3318 dated 10 Shawwal 1446 [8 April 2025], and Memo 1685 dated 5 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [27 October 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 1-13/46/R dated 17 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1446 [15 May 2025],

after perusal of Secretariat of the Council of Political and Security Affairs Telegram 5812 dated 17 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [9 October 2025],

after considering Shura Council Decision 117/10 dated 26 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [17 November 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 6884 dated 26 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [17 December 2025],

hereby decides

First

The Statute of the National Committee for Education, Culture, and Science is hereby approved in the form attached.

Second

The statute—referred to in clause First of this decision—hereby replaces the Organizational Arrangements of the National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science issued by Council of Ministers Decision 467 dated 17 Sha’ban 1442 [30 March 2021].

Third

The current formation of the National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science—stipulated in clause Fourth of the organizational arrangements referred to in clause Second of this decision—continues until the end of its term, or until the committee is reconstituted in accordance with the provisions of article 4 of the statute referred to in clause First of this decision, whichever is earlier.

Fourth

The exercise by the National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science of its powers—provided in the statute referred to in clause First of this decision—does not prejudice the provisions of the Rules for Approving the Provisions Governing the Affairs of Employees in Public Agencies and Their Compensation issued by Council of Ministers Decision 721 dated 26 Shawwal 1444 [16 May 2023].

Fifth

The Minister of Culture, Chairman of the National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, shall coordinate with the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding the opening of the missions—and the designation of their heads—referred to in article 2(2) of the statute referred to in clause First of this decision.

Sixth

The provision of article 8 of the Law of Diplomatic and Special Passports—issued by Royal Decree D/17 dated 22 Rabi Al-Thani 1392 [4 June 1972]—includes workers in missions in international organizations concerned with the fields of education, culture, and science.

Seventh

The National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science shall coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant entities in the Kingdom in relation to its role in enhancing communication between the Kingdom and international organizations in accordance with the provisions of article 3 of the statute referred to in clause First of this decision.

Eighth

The Ministry of Culture, through its various organizational units, shall provide services to the National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science and shall set the provisions and policies relating to such services, including the following areas:

(a) Human resources.

(b) Finance.

(c) Procurement.

(d) Information technology.

Ninth

The National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science shall, in agreement with the Ministry of Culture, agree on the mechanism for paying the contributions of the Kingdom to international organizations concerned with the fields of education, culture, and science.

A draft royal decree has been prepared for the provisions of clause Sixth of this decision, in the form attached to this decision.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 17 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 6 January 2026

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5141 issued on 23 January 2026.