• This Law aims at improving administrative performance and development in the Kingdom’s provinces. It also aims at maintaining security and order, and safeguarding citizens’ rights and freedoms in accordance with Sharia.

• The organization of the Kingdom’s provinces and the seat of the governorate of each province shall be specified by royal order upon the recommendation of the Minister of Interior.

• Each administrative region consists of a number of Category (A) governorates, Category (B) governorates, Category (A) centers, and Category (B) centers, taking into account demographic, geographical, security considerations, environmental conditions, and transportation methods. The governorates are linked to the Emir of the region and are organized by a royal decree based on a recommendation from the Minister of Interior.

• As for the centers, a decision regarding their establishment and affiliation is issued by the Minister of Interior, based on a proposal from the Emir of the region.

• Each province shall have a governor with the rank of “Minister”. He shall also have a vice-governor of “Grade Excellent” who shall assist him in his duties and act on his behalf during his absence. The governor and vice-governor shall be appointed and relieved from office by royal order, upon the recommendation of the Minister of Interior.

• The governor and vice-governor, prior to assuming their duties, shall take the following oath before the King:

• “I swear to Allah Almighty to be loyal to my Religion, then to my King and Country. I swear not to reveal any of the State’s secrets, to protect its interests and laws, and to discharge my duties with honesty, integrity, sincerity, and fairness."

The Emir of each region is responsible for its administration, in accordance with the general policy of the state, and in accordance with the provisions of this law, and other laws and regulations. He is specifically required to:
A - Maintain security, order, and stability, and take the necessary measures for that, in accordance with the laws and regulations.
B - Implement judicial rulings after they have acquired their final status.
C - Ensure the rights and freedoms of individuals, and not take any action that affects those rights and freedoms, except within the limits prescribed by Sharia and law.
D - Work on the social, economic, and urban development of the region.
E - Work on the development of public services in the region and enhance their efficiency.
F - Manage the governorates and centers, monitor the work of the governors of the governorates and the heads of the centers, and ensure their competence in fulfilling their duties.
G - Safeguard state funds and properties, and prevent trespassing on them.
H - Supervise government agencies and their employees in the region, to ensure they perform their duties with integrity and sincerity, while considering the connection of employees of various ministries and agencies in the region with their respective authorities.
I - Communicate directly with ministers and heads of agencies, and discuss regional matters with them, with the aim of enhancing the performance efficiency of the agencies linked to them, while informing the Minister of Interior about this.
J - Submit annual reports to the Minister of Interior regarding the efficiency of public service performance in the region, and other regional matters, in accordance with what is determined by the implementing regulation of this law.

• An annual meeting, attended by the governors of provinces and presided over by the Minister of Interior, shall be held to review the affairs of the provinces. A report to this effect shall be brought before the Prime Minister by the Minister of Interior.

A meeting is held under the chairmanship of the Emir of the region at least twice a year, for the governors of the provinces, to discuss the affairs of the region. The Emir submits a report on this to the Minister of Interior.

A - An agent or more shall be appointed for each region, with a rank not less than the fourteenth rank, by a decision of the Council of Ministers, based on a recommendation from the Minister of Interior.
B - Each province of category (A) shall have a governor whose rank is not less than the fourteenth, appointed by an order from the Prime Minister, based on a recommendation from the Minister of Interior, and shall have an agent whose rank is not less than the twelfth, appointed by a decision from the Minister of Interior based on a recommendation from the Emir of the region.
C - Each province of category (B) shall have a governor whose rank is not less than the twelfth, appointed by a decision from the Minister of Interior, based on a recommendation from the Emir of the region.
D - Each center of category (A) shall have a president whose rank is not less than the eighth, appointed by a decision from the Minister of Interior, based on a recommendation from the Emir of the region.
E - Each center of category (B) shall have a president whose rank is not less than the fifth, appointed by a decision from the Emir of the region.