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 1128 dated 4 Muharram 1447 [29 June 2025], which includes the Minister of Tourism, Chairman of the Tourism Development Council Telegram 41496 dated 28 Dhu Al-Hijja 1446 [24 June 2025], regarding his request to approve the abolition of the system of the Tourism Development Council and Tourism Development Councils in the Regions,

after perusal of the Statute of the Tourism Development Council issued by Council of Ministers Decision 73 dated 27 Muharram 1442 [15 September 2020],

after perusal of the Statute of the Tourism Development Councils in the Regions issued by Council of Ministers Decision 520 dated 11 Ramadan 1443 [12 April 2022],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 493 dated 3 Safar 1447 [28 July 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 10-4/47/R dated 3 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [25 September 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 5632 dated 24 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [15 November 2025],

hereby decides

First

The Tourism Development Council established under article 2 of its statute issued by Council of Ministers Decision 73 dated 27 Muharram 1442 [15 September 2020] is hereby abolished, and its statute issued by the same decision is hereby abolished.

Second

The Tourism Development Councils in the Regions established under article 2 of their statute issued by Council of Ministers Decision 520 dated 11 Ramadan 1443 [12 April 2022] are hereby abolished, and their statute issued by the same decision is hereby abolished.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 10 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 30 December 2025

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5138 issued on 9 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 30834 dated 17 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [9 October 2025], which includes the Minister of Education, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the University Higher Education Fund Telegram 2270 dated 12 Shawwal 1446 [10 April 2025], regarding the amendment of paragraph 6 of articles 4 and 9 of the Statute of the Higher Education Fund to include the proceeds of awqaf,

after perusal of the Statute of the Higher Education Fund issued by Council of Ministers Decision 216 dated 8 Ramadan 1421 [4 December 2000],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 4176 dated 29 Dhu Al-Hijja 1446 [26 July 2025] and Memo 1819 dated 18 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [9 November 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Minutes 103/47/M dated 22 Muharram 1447 [17 July 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 5850 dated 28 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [19 November 2025],

hereby decides

The Statute of the Higher Education Fund issued by Council of Ministers Decision 216 dated 8 Ramadan 1421 [4 December 2000] is hereby amended as follows:

1․ Article 4(6) of the statute is hereby amended to read as follows:

Accepting gifts, donations, bequests, and awqaf income, in accordance with the rules governing this.

2․ Article 9(6) of the statute is hereby amended to read as follows:

Gifts, donations, bequests, and awqaf income that the board of directors decides to accept.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 10 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 30 December 2025

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5138 issued on 9 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 4314 dated 15 Muharram 1447 [10 July 2025], which includes the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Telegram 11002974 dated 11 Muharram 1447 [6 July 2025], regarding the relocation of the headquarters of the Standing Committee for the Prevention and Control of the Red Palm Weevil from the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture to the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases,

after perusal of the Statute of the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases issued by Council of Ministers Decision 152 dated 3 Rabi Al-Awwal 1442 [20 October 2020],

after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 551 dated 23 Ramadan 1440 [28 May 2019],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memorandum 626 dated 12 Safar 1447 [6 August 2025] and Memorandum 1398 dated 15 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [7 October 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 59-10/47/I dated 5 Rabi Al-Awwal 1447 [28 August 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 4777 dated 5 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [27 October 2025],

hereby decides

First

The standing committee—formed under clause First(1) of Council of Ministers Decision 551 dated 23 Ramadan 1440 [28 May 2019]—is hereby at the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases and under the chairmanship of the chief executive officer of the center. The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture is hereby added to the membership of the committee, provided that this does not entail any additional financial burdens on the general budget of the state or a request to increase the approved ceilings.

Second

The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases is hereby added to the membership of the committee formed under clause First(3) of Council of Ministers Decision 551 dated 23 Ramadan 1440 [28 May 2019].

Third

The phrase “The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases shall bear” hereby replaces the phrase “The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture shall bear”, and the phrase “The board of directors of the center shall set” hereby replaces the phrase “The Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture shall set” in clause Second of Council of Ministers Decision 551 dated 23 Ramadan 1440 [28 May 2019].

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 10 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 30 December 2025

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5138 issued on 9 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 5677 dated 20 Muharram 1447 [15 July 2025], which includes the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the National Program for the Development of the Information Technology Sector Telegram 314 dated 15 Muharram 1447 [10 July 2025], regarding the recommendations of the Supervisory Committee of the National Program for the Development of the Information Technology Sector regarding the evaluation of the program and its future direction,

after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 475 dated 15 Rajab 1441 [10 March 2020],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 899 dated 3 Rabi Al-Awwal 1447 [26 August 2025] and Memo 2324 dated 24 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [15 December 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 13-15/47/I dated 12 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [4 October 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 7440 dated 10 Rajab 1447 [30 December 2025],

hereby decides

First

The term of the National Technology Development Program is hereby renewed until the end of 2030, subject to renewal by a decision of the Council of Ministers. The program must be subject to evaluation by the entities represented in the supervisory committee of the program one year before the end of its term. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology shall submit the results of the evaluation to the Council of Ministers to consider the appropriateness of renewing the term of the program or converting it to any other organizational form.

Second

The funding of the programme—referred to in Clause First of this decision—must be through the budget of the National Digital Economy Strategy project in accordance with its governance and ceilings, including the mechanism of urgent funding requests, and without imposing any additional financial burdens on the general budget of the state.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 10 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 30 December 2025

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5140 issued on 16 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 48335 dated 13 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [4 December 2025], which includes the Minister of Investment, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority Telegram 6862 dated 28 Ramadan 1446 [28 March 2025], regarding the draft governance regulations of the special economic zones,

after perusal of the mentioned draft governance regulations,

after perusal of the Statute of the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority issued by Royal Order O/19 dated 10 Rabi Al-Awwal 1431 [24 February 2010],

after perusal of the Companies Law issued by Royal Decree D/132 dated 1 Dhu Al-Hijja 1443 [30 June 2022],

after perusal of the Commercial Register Law and the Trade Names Law issued by Royal Decree D/83 dated 19 Rabi Al-Awwal 1446 [22 September 2024],

after perusal of the Council of Ministers Decision 233 dated 15 Rabi Al-Awwal 1444 [11 October 2022],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 2580 dated 17 Rajab 1445 [29 January 2024], Memo 4200 dated 6 Dhu Al-Hijja 1445 [12 June 2024], Memo 2246 dated 25 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [24 January 2025], Memo 3791 dated 20 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1446 [18 May 2025], Memo 793 dated 23 Safar 1447 [17 August 2025], Memo 1626 dated 30 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [22 October 2025], and Memo 2385 dated 27 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [18 December 2025],

after considering Shura Council Decision 133/11 dated 10 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [1 December 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 7357 dated 8 Rajab 1447 [28 December 2025],

hereby decides

First

The Governance Regulation of Jazan Special Economic Zone, the Governance Regulation of the Cloud Computing Special Economic Zone, the Governance Regulation of King Abdullah Economic City Special Economic Zone, and the Governance Regulation of the Ras Al-Khair Special Economic Zone are hereby approved in the attached forms.

Second

The companies licensed to carry out activities in the special economic zones referred to in clause First of this Decision are hereby exempt from the provisions of the Companies Law issued by Royal Decree D/132 dated 1 Dhu Al-Hijja 1443 [30 June 2022], and the Commercial Register Law and Trade Names Law issued by Royal Decree D/83 dated 19 Rabi Al-Awwal 1446 [22 September 2024].

Third

The Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority—in agreement with the Ministry of Commerce—shall issue the necessary rules relating to companies licensed to carry out activities in the special economic zones—referred to in clause First of this decision—and their governance, and the relevant rights, duties, obligations, and responsibilities in this regard.

A draft royal decree has been prepared with the provisions of clause Second above, in the form attached to this.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 10 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 30 December 2025

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5140 issued on 16 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 58109 dated 24 Sha’ban 1444 [16 March 2023], regarding the draft Rules and Standards for Naming Public Facilities,

after perusal of the mentioned draft rules,

after perusal of the Rules for Naming Streets and Squares and Numbering Real Estate in the Cities and Villages of the Kingdom issued by Council of Ministers Decision 155 dated 21 Rajab 1406 [15 January 1986],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memorandum 889 dated 17 Rabi Al-Awwal 1445 [2 October 2023], Memorandum 2146 dated 14 Jumada Al-Thani 1445 [27 December 2023], Memorandum 2455 dated 6 Rajab 1445 [18 January 2024], Memorandum 341 dated 23 Muharram 1446 [29 July 2024], and Memorandum 1688 dated 5 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [27 October 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 17-14/45/I dated 6 Rabi Al-Thani 1445 [21 October 2023],

after perusal of Secretariat of the Council of Political and Security Affairs Telegram 547 dated 8 Muharram 1447 [3 July 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 5653 dated 24 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [15 November 2025],

hereby decides

First

The Rules and Standards for Naming Public Facilities are hereby approved in the form attached.

Second

Government entities shall review the naming of existing public facilities in light of the provisions of the rules referred to in clause First of this decision, and take the necessary action in regard to them, within 120 days from the date of entry into force of the rules referred to in clause First of this decision.

Third

Government entities shall coordinate with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing when exercising their mandates in issuing any executive provisions of the rules under the provisions of article 3 of the rules referred to in clause First of this decision.

Fourth

The Minister of Municipalities and Housing shall take the necessary measures to determine the categories of naming public facilities—in accordance with article 7 of the rules referred to in clause First of this decision—within a period not exceeding 120 days from the date of entry into force of this decision.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 3 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 23 December 2025

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5136 issued on 2 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 10352 dated 6 Safar 1447 [31 July 2025], which includes Minister of Finance Letter 5545 dated 28 Jumada Al-Awwal 1445 [12 December 2023], regarding the draft Controls for the Distinguished Capabilities Item Allocated for Incentive Purposes in Public Entities,

after perusal of the mentioned draft controls,

after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 59 dated 18 Muharram 1444 [16 August 2022],

after perusal of Royal Order 24525 dated 5 Jumada Al-Thani 1436 [25 March 2015], Royal Order 56515 dated 22 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1437 [25 August 2016], and Royal Order 29601 dated 26 Jumada Al-Thani 1438 [25 March 2017],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 4325 dated 24 Dhu Al-Hijja 1445 [30 June 2024] and Memo 2691 dated 4 Sha’ban 1446 [3 February 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 10-13/46/R dated 17 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1446 [15 May 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 3383 dated 29 Rabi Al-Awwal 1447 [21 September 2025],

hereby decides

First

The Controls for the Distinguished Capabilities Item Allocated for Incentive Purposes in Public Entities are hereby approved in the form attached.

Second

The Minister of Finance shall take the necessary measures to cancel the “Allocated Secret Expenditure Item” existing with public entities for incentive purposes, and to create a new clause with these entities to replace it under the name “Distinguished Capabilities Item Allocated for Incentive Purposes”, and to transfer all amounts that were in the cancelled item to the new item, taking into account that the cancellation and creation of the two mentioned items do not affect the continuity of public entities in disbursing the amounts allocated for incentive purposes, in accordance with the provisions governing this.

Third

All public entities for which the “Distinguished Capabilities Item Allocated for Incentive Purposes” is created, or in which this item replaces the “Allocated Secret Expenditure Item”, shall disburse the bonuses allocated for incentive purposes from the mentioned item through the Central System of Financial Rights Related to Officers and Employees in Civil, Military, and Security Entities (Sarf), issued in its regard by Royal Order 8240 dated 19 Safar 1439 [8 November 2017] and Royal Order 52176 dated 16 Ramadan 1440 [21 May 2019]. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development shall develop the necessary policies and procedures for this.

Fourth

The provisions of the preceding clauses do not entail any additional burdens on the general budget of the state, or any increase in budget ceilings until the fiscal year 1451/1452 (2030).

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 3 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 23 December 2025

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5136 issued on 2 January 2026.

Arabic

The Council of Ministers,

after perusal of its session held under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, of Royal Court File 48299 dated 5 Rajab 1446 [5 January 2025], which includes the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Telegram 90229 dated 29 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [30 December 2024], regarding his request to adopt the Unified Rules for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, issued by the decision of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in its 45th session held on 29 Jumada Al-Awwal 1446 [1 December 2024],

after perusal of the mentioned rules,

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memorandum 614 dated 12 Safar 1447 [6 August 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 6-4/47/R dated 3 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [25 September 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 5629 dated 24 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [15 November 2025],

hereby decides

The Unified Rules for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for 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 in its 45th session held in the city of Kuwait on 29 Jumada Al-Awwal 1446, corresponding to 1 December 2024, are hereby approved in the form attached.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 3 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 23 December 2025

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5136 issued on 2 January 2026.

Arabic

The Council of Ministers,

after perusal of its session held under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, of Royal Court File 15688 dated 25 Safar 1447 [19 August 2025], regarding the amendment of the preamble of article 11 of the Statute of the General Organization for Military Industries,

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 Memorandum 1085 dated 18 Rabi Al-Awwal 1447 [10 September 2025] and Memorandum 1768 dated 13 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [4 November 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 32-15/47/I dated 12 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [4 October 2025],

and after perusal of the General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 6352 dated 11 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [12 December 2024],

hereby decides

The preamble of article 11 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 by replacing the phrase “The organization must have a president with the rank of a lieutenant general or its equivalent, appointed by a royal order based on a nomination by the chairman of the board.” with the phrase “The organization must have a president who is appointed and relieved by a decision by the board. The decision must determine his remuneration and other benefits in a manner that does not conflict with the relevant laws and decisions.”

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 3 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 23 December 2025

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5136 issued on 2 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 38873 dated 12 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [3 November 2025], which includes Minister of Finance Letter 11127 dated 9 Dhu Al-Hijja 1446 [5 June 2025], regarding the amendment of the Unified Agreement on Excise Tax of the States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf,

after perusal of the Unified Agreement on Excise Tax of the States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, approved by Royal Decree D/51 dated 3 Jumada Al-Awwal 1438 [31 January 2017],

after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memorandum 629 dated 13 Safar 1447 [7 August 2025], Memorandum 1387 dated 14 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [6 October 2025], and Memorandum 2136 dated 9 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [30 November 2025],

after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 11-3/47/R dated 27 Safar 1447 [21 August 2025],

after considering Shura Council Decision 80/7 dated 5 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [27 October 2025],

and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 6627 dated 19 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [10 December 2025],

hereby decides

The amendment to the Unified Agreement on Excise Tax of the States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, approved by Royal Decree D/51 dated 3 Jumada Al-Awwal 1438 [31 January 2017] is hereby approved, as follows:

1․ The definition of “Excise goods value” provided in article 1 of the agreement is amended to read as follows:

The value on the basis of which the tax may be calculated in accordance with the provisions of this agreement.

2․ The title and content of article 3 is amended to read as follows:

Excise goods The tax is imposed on goods harmful to human health and the environment and luxury goods in accordance with the list specified by the ministerial committee. The ministerial committee may amend that list.

3․ Article 6 is amended to read as follows:

1․ The tax due must be calculated either as a percentage of the value of the excise goods or as a specific amount for each unit of the excise goods. The tax due may also be calculated as a percentage and a specific amount for each unit of the excise goods together, as determined by the ministerial committee.

2․ The value on the basis of which the tax due may be calculated must be the retail selling price of the excise goods, provided that the retail selling price is the price specified by the importer or producer of the excise goods, or in accordance with the standard price list to be agreed upon periodically between the tax entities in the council states, whichever is higher, excluding the tax due and the value added tax.

4․ Article 16 is amended to read as follows:

Subject to the provisions of articles 11, 14, and 15 of this agreement, each member state shall determine the periods, conditions, and controls for the payment of the tax due by the person liable to pay it.

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

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

Issued on: 3 Rajab 1447
Corresponding to: 23 December 2025

Published in Umm Al-Qura 5136 issued on 2 January 2026.