In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
12 Rajab 1373 AH
We, Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,
King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
After reviewing the Royal Order issued on 12 Rajab 1373 approving the Council of Ministers System,
have decreed the following:
System of the Departments of the Council of Ministers
Chapter One: The General Secretariat
Article 1 – The Secretary‑General of the Council of Ministers shall be appointed by Royal Decree and shall attend the Council’s sessions.
Article 2 – The Secretary‑General shall nominate the administrative and clerical staff needed by the General Secretariat; their appointment requires the Council’s approval.
Article 3 – The Secretary‑General shall be responsible for:
• Organizing the General Secretariat, including establishing independent departments for its activities—archives, library, administrative affairs, personnel, incoming and outgoing correspondence, and the Experts Division.
• Signing the Council’s minutes.
• Preparing the draft agenda, correspondence, and official documents related to the Council’s work.
• Presenting correspondence and documents submitted to the Council.
• Carrying out any tasks assigned by the Presidency of the Council or the Council itself.
Article 4 – Secretariat employees are accountable to the Secretary‑General, who assigns duties as he deems appropriate.
Article 5 – The Secretary‑General shall prepare the draft budget of the Council of Ministers and its Bureau.
Chapter Two: State Accounts Audit
Article 6 – A special auditing office shall be established within the Bureau of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers to audit all State accounts and verify the accuracy of revenue and expenditure entries in all ministries, departments, and agencies funded wholly or partially by the State.
Article 7 – This office shall be supervised by a President titled the General State Auditor, appointed by Royal Decree and accountable to His Majesty the King.
Article 8 – The General Auditor shall:
• Audit revenue and expenditure accounts for each chapter of the approved budget of every ministry or agency funded by the State.
• Ensure that no State funds are spent or received without proper documentation, clear orders, and compliance with established procedures approved by the Council of Ministers.
• Submit an annual report to the Presidency of the Council within two months of receiving the Ministry of Finance’s final accounts, detailing revenues, expenditures, budget implementation, surpluses or deficits, and observations on financial practices.
• Submit reports during the year on any irregularities, shortages, embezzlement, or negligence that may endanger State funds, and recommend appropriate disciplinary measures.
Article 9 – The General Auditor is authorized to:
• Dispatch auditors and inspectors to any ministry or agency funded by the State to audit accounts, with full cooperation required from all officials.
• Request any accounts, records, documents, orders, or instructions necessary for performing his duties.
• File complaints against any official obstructing his work, to the responsible minister and to His Majesty the King.
• Recommend improvements to accounting procedures in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and inform the Council of Ministers of such recommendations.
• Supervise the auditing office and issue necessary instructions.
• Submit reports to the Presidency of the Council for review.
Article 10 – The Deputy General Auditor shall act on behalf of the General Auditor during his absence and shall be appointed by Royal Decree.
Chapter Three: The Experts Division
Article 11 – An Experts Division shall be established within the Bureau of the Council of Ministers; the number of experts shall be determined as needed.
Article 12 – The Prime Minister is the highest authority overseeing this division.
Article 13 – Experts are accountable to the Presidency of the Council.
Article 14 – The Presidency may request an expert to provide his opinion on any matter referred to him.
Article 15 – Experts shall provide opinions on:
• Matters referred by the Prime Minister or decided by the Council.
• Matters referred by the competent ministries.
Article 16 – Each expert shall submit a copy of his opinion to the Presidency of the Council; the Secretary‑General shall maintain a collection of these opinions.
Chapter Four: Board of Grievances
Article 17 – A General Directorate named the Board of Grievances shall be established within the Bureau of the Council of Ministers.
It shall be supervised by a President appointed by Royal Decree and accountable to His Majesty the King.
Article 18 – The Directorate shall:
• Receive and register all complaints submitted to it.
• Investigate each complaint and prepare a report with recommended action.
• Submit the report to His Majesty the King for a decision.
Article 19 – A sufficient number of investigators shall be appointed by decision of the Council of Ministers upon the President’s recommendation, along with necessary administrative and clerical staff.
Article 20 – The President shall submit a comprehensive report every six months to His Majesty the King, detailing the Directorate’s work, observations on grievances, responsibilities of government agencies, and recommendations for improvement. A copy shall be provided to the Council of Ministers and the relevant minister.
Article 21 – The President and authorized staff may conduct inquiries in ministries and agencies to determine responsibility, and may summon officials for questioning after notifying their minister or agency head.
Article 22 – The President shall maintain a general register of grievances, recording dates of submission, actions taken, outcomes, and the King’s decisions.
Article 23 – The President may recommend referring officials to disciplinary boards or propose administrative penalties.
Article 24 – The Deputy President shall act on behalf of the President during his absence and shall be appointed by Royal Decree.
This system was ratified and issued at our Royal Palace in Riyadh on 12 Rajab 1373 AH.
Umm al‑Qura