Article 29 of the Saudi Council of Ministers Law
المادة 29 من نظام مجلس الوزراء
Article 29 makes the King, as Prime Minister, the director of general policy and supervisor of the Council and government bodies, and requires government bodies to submit an annual report on their achievements within ninety days of the start of each fiscal year.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
الملك رئيس مجلس الوزراء هو الذي يوجه السياسة العامة للدولة ، ويكفل التوجيه والتنسيق والتعاون بين مختلف الأجهزة الحكومية ، ويضمن الانسجام والاستمرار والوحدة في أعمال مجلس الوزراء. وله الإشراف على مجلس الوزراء والوزارات والأجهزة الحكومية، وهو الذي يراقب تنفيذ الأنظمة واللوائح والقرارات.
وعلى جميع الوزارات والأجهزة الحكومية الأخرى أن ترفع إلى رئيس مجلس الوزراء خلال تسعين يوما من بداية كل سنة مالية تقريرا عما حققته من إنجازات مقارنة بما ورد في الخطة العامة للتنمية خلال السنة المالية المنقضية، وما واجهها من صعوبات وما تراه من مقترحات لحسن سير العمل فيها.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 29 explained in plain English
This article consists of two paragraphs:
First paragraph: the role of the King as head of the Council of Ministers. He is the one who:
- Directs the general policy of the State.
- Ensures direction, coordination and cooperation among the various government bodies.
- Ensures harmony, continuity and unity in the work of the Council of Ministers.
- Has supervision over the Council of Ministers, the ministries and government bodies.
- Oversees the implementation of laws, regulations and decisions.
Second paragraph: the annual report of government bodies. All ministries and other government bodies must submit to the Prime Minister:
- Deadline: within ninety days of the start of each fiscal year.
- Content: a report on what they have achieved compared with what is stated in the general development plan during the past fiscal year, the difficulties they faced, and what proposals they see for the proper conduct of their work.
The obligation in the second paragraph covers "all" ministries and government bodies, and the report is not merely a list of achievements but also includes difficulties and proposals. The article does not specify the form of the report or the effect of delay in submitting it.
This article is linked to Article 28, which requires the Minister of Finance and National Economy to submit the State's final account to the Prime Minister for referral to the Council for approval; both are submitted to the Prime Minister regarding the past year, but the final account concerns public finances and the report concerns each body's achievements. It is followed by Article 30, which refers to the Council's internal rules to set out its administrative formations and their powers.
Practical example
Noura works in the planning department of a government body in Riyadh. At the start of the new fiscal year her department begins preparing a report to be submitted to the Prime Minister within 90 days, showing the body's achievements in the past year compared with the general development plan, the difficulties it faced, and its proposals for improving the work.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 29 of the Saudi Council of Ministers Law
What is the King's role in the Council of Ministers?
He directs the general policy of the State, ensures coordination among government bodies, supervises the Council, ministries and government bodies, and oversees the implementation of laws, regulations and decisions.
When do government bodies submit their annual achievements report?
Within ninety days of the start of each fiscal year, to the Prime Minister.
What does the ministries' annual achievements report include?
What the body achieved compared with the general development plan during the past year, the difficulties it faced, and its proposals for the proper conduct of work.
More articles on Executive Powers of the Council of Ministers
- Article 19
Article 19 states that the Council of Ministers draws up State policy in all fields and oversees its implementation, considers Shura Council resolutions, and holds executive authority and financial and administrative authority over government bodies.
مع مراعاة ما ورد في النظام الأساسي للحكم ونظام مجلس الشورى يرسم مجلس الوزراء السياسة الداخلية والخارجية والمالية والاقتصادية والتعليمية والدفاعية وجميع الشؤون ا
- Article 24
Article 24 gives the Council of Ministers, as the direct executive authority, full control over execution and administration, and lists among its powers overseeing implementation of laws, establishing public departments, following the development plan and forming inquiry committees.
للمجلس باعتباره السلطة التنفيذية المباشرة الهيمنة التامة على شؤون التنفيذ والإدارة، ويدخل في اختصاصاته التنفيذية الأمور الآتية: 1 - مراقبة تنفيذ الأنظمة واللوائ
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.