The following terms - wherever they appear in this regulation - shall have the meanings specified next to each of them:
Organization: Saudi Irrigation Organization.
Regulation: Organization's regulation.
Council: Board of Directors of the organization.

The institution enjoys legal personality and financial and administrative independence, and is affiliated with the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. Its main headquarters is located in the Al-Ahsa Governorate, and it has the authority to establish branches or offices within the Kingdom as needed.

The institution is responsible for managing, operating, and developing irrigation activities in the Kingdom, and it has the authority to contract with specialized entities to carry out some of its tasks.

Without prejudice to the jurisdiction of other authorities, the institution, in order to achieve its objectives - without limitation - has the following competencies:
1- Preparing public policies, plans, and programs to develop irrigation activities, conserve irrigation water, and rationalize its use.
2- Utilizing available sources of traditional and non-traditional irrigation water.
3- Preparing irrigation scheduling programs for agricultural crops according to water allocations.
4- Developing and implementing emergency plans for irrigation activities and addressing water shortages.
5- Proposing projects for regulations, bylaws, and standards governing irrigation activities - after presenting them to the Council - and implementing them after approval in accordance with legal procedures.
6- Applying quality standards for water used in agricultural irrigation, monitoring the quality of irrigation water and agricultural soil, and supporting environmental reform.
7- Establishing, operating, and maintaining water supply sources for irrigation, such as dams, groundwater, and alternative sources, in agreement with the relevant authorities. 
8- Establishing, operating, and maintaining pumping stations, projects for the transfer, storage, and distribution of irrigation water, and agricultural drainage systems.
9- Developing approved technologies for monitoring irrigation water consumption and ensuring compliance with water allocations and usage programs, and taking appropriate measures to address non-compliance cases in accordance with the approved regulations and procedures.
10- Conducting studies and research in collaboration with universities, institutes, and specialized entities to improve irrigation methods, adopt modern technologies, and rationalize the use of irrigation water.
11- Representing the Kingdom in local, regional, and international organizations and institutions related to the irrigation sector.
12- Providing programs and courses in its field of work, qualifying human resources working in this field, and holding workshops, seminars, conferences, and exhibitions and participating in them.
13- Providing a database and statistical information on irrigation activities.
14- Concluding agreements and contracts related to irrigation with local and foreign entities in accordance with legal procedures.

The institution shall have a Board of Directors chaired by the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, and consisting of the following members:
1- A representative from the Ministry of Interior.
2- A representative from the Ministry of Economy and Planning.
3- A representative from the Ministry of Finance. 
4- A representative from the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. 
5- A representative from the Agricultural Development Fund.
6- Two specialists.
The Chairman of the Council shall designate a member to act on his behalf from the representatives of the government agencies to preside over the Council, and the rank of the representatives of the government agencies must not be less than the (fourteenth) rank, or its equivalent. The remuneration of the members shall be determined by a decision of the Council of Ministers.
 A decision shall be issued by the Council of Ministers to appoint the two members referred to in paragraph (6) based on a nomination from the Chairman of the Council, and their membership shall be for a period of (three) years, renewable for one additional term.

The Council is the authority that dominates the affairs of the institution, supervises its management and administration, and makes all necessary decisions to achieve its purposes within the framework of the provisions of the law. It has, in particular, the following powers:  
1- Approving the general policies of the institution, its strategies, programs, and operational plans within the framework of the state's general plans.
2- Approving the organizational structure of the institution in accordance with the applicable legal procedures.
3- Proposing draft laws, regulations, and standards governing irrigation activities, and implementing them after approval in accordance with the applicable legal procedures.
4- Approving the financial regulations that govern the institution after agreement with the Ministry of Finance, as well as other internal regulations necessary for its operations.
5- Determining the financial fees for the services, works, and licenses provided by the institution.
6- Approving the draft budget of the institution, its final accounts, the auditor's report, and the annual report; in preparation for submitting them according to the applicable legal procedures.
7- Appointing a deputy (or more) for the head of the institution based on his nomination.
8- Approving investment policies within the institution that achieve its objectives in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
9- Accepting wills, gifts, donations, endowments, and grants offered to the institution, in accordance with the governing provisions.
10- Approving the conclusion of agreements and contracts according to the applicable legal procedures.
11- Approving rewards and benefits for those whom the institution employs from experts and specialists with the required competencies.
12- Appointing an external auditor and an internal financial controller. 
13- Appointing a Secretary-General for the Council.
The Council may form permanent or temporary committees, from its members or others, to delegate tasks it deems necessary. Each committee's formation decision shall specify its chairperson, members, and competencies, and it may seek assistance from whom it deems necessary to perform the assigned tasks.  
The Council may delegate some of its powers to any officials it sees fit within the institution.

1- The Council meetings are held at the institution's headquarters, and it may, when necessary, upon the request of the President of the Council, be held in another location within the Kingdom.
2- The Council meets at the invitation of its President, provided that its meetings are not less than two meetings during the year. The Council's meeting is not considered valid unless the majority of its members are present, including the President or his representative, and decisions are made with the approval of the majority of those present. In the event of a tie, the side that the President of the meeting voted with prevails. The President of the Council may invite anyone he deems appropriate to attend the Council sessions to provide information, opinions, or clarifications without having the right to vote.
3- A member may not abstain from voting or delegate another to vote on his behalf in his absence. 
4- The discussions and decisions of the Council are recorded in minutes signed by the President of the meeting and the attending members.
5- A member may not disclose any information he has accessed regarding the institution's secrets due to his membership in the Council.
6- The Secretary-General of the Council prepares the agendas and minutes of the meetings and sends out the invitations for the meeting.

The institution shall have a President appointed by a Decision from the Council, which specifies his salary and benefits. He shall be the executive responsible for managing the institution, and his responsibilities shall be limited to what is stipulated in the regulations and what the Council decides. He shall directly undertake the following competencies: 
1- Proposing the general policies of the institution related to its activities, and the plans and programs necessary for their implementation, and submitting them to the Council.
2- Supervising the workflow in the institution through the approved regulations, plans, and programs.
3- Proposing the organizational structure of the institution, the financial regulations that govern the institution, and other internal regulations necessary for managing its affairs. 
4- Implementing the Decisions issued by the Council.
5- Supervising the preparation of the institution's annual budget draft, the final account draft, and the annual report, and submitting them to the Council.
6- Appointing employees in the institution in accordance with the powers granted to him, and supervising them.
7- Disbursing from the approved budget and taking all financial procedures in accordance with the approved systems and regulations and the powers delegated to him by the Council. 
8- Preparing reports related to the implementation of the institution's plans, programs, and achievements, and presenting them to the Council.
9- Signing agreements and contracts after obtaining the Council's approval.
10- Contracting for the execution of works, services, and others, in accordance with the systems and powers delegated to him by the Council. 
11- Organizing the institution's participation in conferences, events, festivals, and regional and international exhibitions in accordance with the regulatory procedures.
12- Issuing the necessary Decisions to implement the provisions of the regulations and the regulations issued thereunder and the approved rules and procedures, according to the powers granted to him.
13- Representing the institution in its relations with others and before the judiciary, and acting on its behalf within the limits of the powers granted to him. 
14- Any other competency assigned to him by the Council.
 The President may delegate some of his competencies to whomever he sees fit among the institution's staff.

The financial resources of the institution consist of the following:
1- What is allocated to it in the state’s Budget.
2- The financial fees it collects in return for the services, works, and licenses it provides.
3- The returns on its investments.
4- What the Council accepts in terms of bequests, gifts, donations, endowments, and grants.

The institution's funds shall be deposited in a special account with the Saudi Central Bank, and it may - with the approval of the Ministry of Finance - open accounts in banks licensed in the Kingdom.