- Ministry of Agriculture
•Airport Road, Riyadh 11195
•Tel: 1 401 6666 Fax: 1 403 1415
•Tel: (Jeddah) 2 687 6022
The function of the Ministry of Agriculture is to implement government economic plans and programs concerned with agriculture in the Kingdom.
This Ministry is also responsible for animal resources, fisheries, grain silos and locust control.
The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for the implementation of all aspects of the Kingdom's agricultural policy. The Ministry takes direct responsibility for irrigation and drainage projects if they are beyond the means of local farming communities and, through the Arable Land Distribution Scheme, identifies land suitable for reclamation and allocation to Saudi citizens for agricultural applications.
- Ministry of the Civil Service•Washem Street,
•PO Box 18367, Riyadh 11114
•Tel: 1 402 6900/ 1 402 6934 Fax:1 403 4998
Ministry established in 1999, with Dr Muhammad bin Ali Al-Fayez as its first Minister. It is the function of the Ministry to plan the civil manpower required in the government sector and to ensure that the competence of civil servants matches the requirements of the Kingdom as it implements its various development programs.
- Ministry of Commerce and IndustryCommerce and Industry
•PO Box 1774, Airport Road, Riyadh 11162
•Tel: 401 2220 / 401 4708 Fax: 403 8421
•PO Box 5729, Omar bin Al-Khatab Road, Riyadh 11127
•Tel: 1 477 2722 / 1 477 6666 Fax: 1 477 5451
•Jeddah Tel: 2 687 1784
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry was established in 2003 in the government reorganisation and is responsible for all aspects of commercial and industrial activity in the Kingdom.
- Ministry of Communications and Information Technology•
Intercontinental Road, Riyadh 11112
•Tel: 1 463 7225 Fax: 1 405 2310
•Jeddah Tel: 2 665 1323
The size of the Kingdom and the implementation of its ambitious development program necessitated the creation of a highly efficient postal and telecommunications system.
The Ministry of Post, Telegraphs and Telephones was established in 1976 (1396 AH), taking over responsibility for post and telecommunication from the older Ministry of Communications. The new Ministry immediately set about creating the highly sophisticated telecommunications service which all those in the Kingdom (government, industry, commerce and the public) now enjoy.
In 2003, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology was established to bring together responsibility for all modern communications technologies.
- Ministry of Culture and Information•
Nasseriya Street, Riyadh 11161
•Tel: 1 401 4440 / 1 401 3440 Fax: 1 402 3570
•Jeddah Tel: 2 644 5222
The Ministry of Information was established in 1962. In 2003, responsibility for culture was added to the Ministry's portfolio.
The new Ministry was given an agency for culture, and took responsibility for the activities of the following bodies, which had previously been affiliates of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare:
- The King Fahd Cultural Centre
- The Administration of Folklore
- The Saudi Society for Culture and Arts
- The General Administration of Cultural Activities
- The Literary Clubs, and the General Administration for Literary Clubs.
The new Ministry of Culture and Information was also charged with overseeing the activities of:
-The General Administration for Public Libraries
-The General Administration for Cultural Relations
which had previously been affiliates of the Agency of Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Education;
and Al-Mujallah Al-Arabia, which had previously been an affiliate of the Ministry of Higher Education.
The Ministry of Culture and Information is responsible for the Kingdom's television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, the press and publication of printed material. It is also responsible for the Kingdom's relations with the foreign press.
Within the Kingdom, the Ministry provides a focal point for all information about Saudi Arabia. Through its country-wide network of Information Centers it offers to Saudi Arabian citizens a ready source of data on the history and culture of the Kingdom.
Overseas, the Saudi Arabian Information Center in London (Cavendish House, 18 Cavendish Square, London W1), fully-equipped with a library, lecture room and viewing theater, offers a similar facility to the public there. There is also a Saudi Arabian Information Center in Tunis.
The Saudi Press Agency which forms part of the Ministry of Culture and Information has offices in Bonne, Cairo, London, Tunis and Washington, DC. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) is the central department for the collection and dissemination of official news of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It distributes news reports to newspapers, news agencies, radio and television.
Established in 1970, the SPA, can now, with the help of development of modern communications, transmit its news reports 24 hours a day, in Arabic, English and French. In addition to the daily news, it transmits features, commentaries and analyses as part of its wide-ranging information services.
- Ministry of Defense and Aviation•
Airport Road, Riyadh 11165
•Tel: 1 478 5900 / 1 477 7313 Fax: 1 401 1336
•Jeddah Tel: 2 665 2400
The Ministry of Defense and Aviation is responsible for the Kingdom's Army, Navy and Air Force. The Ministry also has responsibility for the construction of civilian airports (as well as military bases), and for meteorology.
- Ministry of Planning and National Economy•
PO Box 1358, University Street, Riyadh 11183
•Tel: 1 402 3562 / 1 401 3333
•Jeddah Tel: 2 665 1366
Planning plays a key role in the development of the country.
The precursor of the Ministry of Planning (the Central Planning Organization) implemented the Kingdom's first Five Year Plan (1390 - 1395 AH: 1970 - 1975). Thereafter, responsibility for the construction and supervision of succeeding Five Year Plans has been vested in the Ministry of Planning.
Both the Central Department of Statistics and the National Computer Center fall under the Ministry of Planning.
The pace of development in the Kingdom in the last twenty years has been extraordinary. Such progress would not have been possible without a highly efficient central planning function.
In the government reorganisation of 2003, Economy and Planning were brought together in a single Ministry.
- Ministry of Education•
Airport road, Riyadh 11148
•Tel: 1 404 2888 / 1 404 2952 Fax: 1 401 2365
•Jeddah Tel: 2 643 4682
The Ministry of Education is responsible for the provision of free general education in primary, intermediate and secondary schools, and the establishment of educational services for the handicapped. It also has a responsibility for antiquities and museums.
From the very formation of the Kingdom, education was seen to be of primary importance. One of the first acts of King Abdul Aziz (Ibn Saud) was to convene an educational gathering in the Holy City of Makkah with a view to initiating the promotion and establishment of educational resources throughout the land.
The Ministry of Education continues this tradition of emphasis on the importance of education begun by the Kingdom's founder.
- Ministry of Finance•
Airport Road, Riyadh 11177
•Tel: 1 405 0000 / 1 405 0080 Fax: 1 405 9202
•Jeddah Tel: 2 665 5994
The function of the Ministry of Finance is to manage all government finance, including the budgeting and expenditure of all ministries and government agencies, and to control national economic growth.
Its responsibilities include the administration of Zakat, income tax and customs duties.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs•
Nasseriya Street, Riyadh 11124
•Tel: 1 406 7777 / 1 441 6836 Fax: 1 403 0159
•Jeddah Tel: 2 669 0900
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responsibility for the Kingdom's political and financial relations with other countries. Through the Kingdom's embassies, the Ministry monitors diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and the outside world.
In the context of international relations, we should mention a unique project - the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh. The Diplomatic Quarter is an area of Riyadh dedicated to the needs of foreign embassies and their staff. The construction of the Quarter has involved the building of not only the essential infrastructure but also full residential and recreational facilities. These include an international schools complex, sports fields and recreation centers, Arabic language schools, a diplomatic club and 13 mosques (nine in the residential area and four in the central area). Much care has been given to the appearance of the Diplomatic Quarter. A large area around the Quarter has been landscaped.
- Ministry of Hajj•
Omar bin Al-Khatab Street, Riyadh 11183
•Tel: 1 402 2200 / 1 402 2212 Fax: 1 402 2555
•Jeddah Tel: 2 667 3944
The Ministry of Hajj is responsible for the provision of facilities for the visit of pilgrims to the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah and to other holy places within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This Ministry is also responsible for the building and maintenance of Mosques throughout the Kingdom, as well as the administration of land held by religious trust.
Conscious of the commitment of the Government of the Guardian of the Holy Mosques to provide every assistance and convenience for the pilgrims on Hajj, the Ministry of Hajj spared no effort to ensure that the Kingdom is able to offer the best services to all pilgrims to God's Sanctuary, from the moment of their arrival in, until their departure from, the Holy Lands.
- Ministry of Health•
Airport Road, Riyadh 11176
•Tel: 1 401 2220 / 1 401 2392 Fax: 1 402 9876
•Jeddah Tel: 2 665 4066
The Ministry of Health, originally a government department but given full Ministry status in 1950 (1370 AH), is responsible for the supervision of health care and hospitals in both the public and private sectors of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Ministry of Higher Education•
King Faisal Hospital Street, Riyadh 11153
•Tel: 1 464 4444 Fax: 1 441 9004
•Jeddah Tel: 2 687 0272
The Ministry of Higher Education is responsible for all universities and institutes of higher education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The purpose of education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the sound and complete understanding of Islam, inculcating and disseminating the Islamic faith and promulgating Islamic values, instruction and ideals to students, as well as enabling them to acquire different aspects of knowledge and skills, developing constructive behavioral trends, reforming society economically, socially and culturally, and preparing individuals for a useful and constructive role in society.
Based on this policy, the aims of higher education in the Kingdom represent Islamic principles and values, while ensuring and complementing the general aims of the comprehensive development plan.
- Ministry of The Interior•
PO Box 2933, Riyadh 11134
•Tel: 1 401 1944 Fax: 1 403 1185
•Jeddah Tel: 2 687 232
The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for all aspects of government related to security and the protection of human life and property. Within its jurisdiction fall Public Security, Civil Defense, the Fire Service, the Police, the Passports Division and the Special Security and Investigation Forces.
The Ministry of the Interior has as a prime responsibility the maintenance of the Kingdom's laws, based on Islam, and one of its functions is to carry out sentences passed on offenders by the courts.
It is especially noteworthy that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the first state to be governed entirely according to Islamic law.
- Ministry For Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Dawa and Guidance•
Riyadh 11232
•Tel: 1 473 0401 Fax: 1 477 2938
The Ministry is responsible for Islamic affairs other than the Hajj. Included in its remit are the building and maintenance of Mosques throughout the Kingdom, as well as the administration of land held by religious trust.
- Ministry of Justice•
University Street, Riyadh 11137
•Tel: 1 405 7777 / 1 405 5399
•Jeddah Tel: 2 665 0857
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the administration of Shari'ah Law and the provision of legal services for all Saudi citizens.
- Ministry of Labor•
Omar bin Al-Khatab Street, Riyadh 11157
•Tel: 1 477 1480 / 1 478 7166 Fax: 1 477 7336
•Jeddah Tel: 2 642 4626
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is concerned with the development and use of the Kingdom's human resources. It is responsible for manpower planning, labor relations and the general monitoring of all matters relating to employment affairs.
This Ministry is also tasked to deal with labor disputes, employment in the private
- Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs•
Nasseriya Street, Riyadh 11136
•Tel: 1 441 5434
•Jeddah Tel: 2 667 4387
Housing & Public Works
•Washem Street, Riyadh
•Tel: 1 402 2268 / 1 402 2036
•Fax: Public Works 1 402 2723 Housing 1 406 7376
•Jeddah Tel: 2 665 1323
The Ministry for Municipal and Rural Affairs, which was established in 1975 (1395 AH), is responsible for the administration of the municipalities throughout the Kingdom. Its primary functions include city and town planning, and the development and maintenance of the basic infrastructure, such as roads, town cleaning and hygiene.
- Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources•
PO Box 757, Airport Road, Riyadh 11189
•Tel: 1 478 1661 / 1 478 1133 Fax: 1 479 3596
•Jeddah Tel: 2 643 3133
The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources is responsible for the administration, development and exploitation of the Kingdom's oil, gas and mineral resources.
In discharging its wide responsibilities, the Ministry works in conjunction with Petromin, the General Petroleum and Mineral Organization.
- Ministry of Social Affairs•
Omar bin Al-Khattab St., Riyadh 11157
•Tel: 477 1480 / 478 7166
•Fax: 477 7336
Created in April, 2004, when the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs was split in two.
This Ministry is responsible for social insurance, and social care and development. It has charities and co-operative societies, as well as social research, within its jurisdiction.
In keeping with the Kingdom's Islamic foundation, the Ministry is charged with ensuring that the less fortunate citizens of Saudi Arabia, the physically or mentally handicapped, the aged and the destitute, are cared for within a humane society. Throughout the Kingdom, facilities for the disabled and those needing rehabilitation have been established.
- Ministry of Transport•
Airport Road, Riyadh 11178
•Tel: 1 404 2928 / 1 404 3000 Fax: 1 403 1401
•Jeddah Tel: 2 665 1511
The function of this Ministry (formerly Ministry of Communications) is to undertake the design, building and maintenance of the Kingdom's network of roads. The Ministry is also responsible for the co-ordination of all surface transport, including bus services and railways.
In keeping pace with the progress achieved in other sectors in the Kingdom, the transportation sector has witnessed amazing changes during the last few decades. As the material resources of the Kingdom have grown in recent years, the role of transportation has continued to expand. This sector has played a key role in the overall development of the Kingdom's economy and has had a significant impact on the lives of the Kingdom's citizens.
In addition to the vastness of the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia is characterized by extremes of climate and geography ranging from high, rugged mountain ranges to rocky plains and vast deserts of sand. In carrying out its vital assignment, the Ministry has had to deal with the complex problems caused by such extremes.
- Ministry of Water and Electricity•
Airport Road, Riyadh 11195
•Tel: 1 401 6666 Fax: 1 403 1415
•Jeddah Tel: 2 687 6022
In July, 2001, it was announced that a new Ministry was to be established to take charge of the Kingdom's water affairs. The Ministry of Water embraces all water-related departments at what was the Ministry of Agriculture and Water (now the Ministry of Agriculture), the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and other government agencies which previously had responsibility for water. The Ministry of Water also has responsibility for water and sewage discharge affairs.
The Ministry is to prepare a comprehensive plan to establish water and sewage networks all over the Kingdom. It will also develop the country’s water policies and propose new regulations to preserve water.
The Ministry will conduct a study on water tariffs for all groups of beneficiaries and set out a plan to ensure effective collection of water revenues. It will also license digging of wells and determine their depths.
The Ministry will work out a suitable framework for private investment in the sector, covering financing, implementation, operation and maintenance of water projects.
In May, 2003, the formation of the Ministry of Water and Electricity was announced, bringing together these two vital aspects of the Kingdom's economy under one ministerial roof.
General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW)Amongst the wide range of major development activities undertaken by the government, the interests and well-being of the young has not been ignored. The Kingdom is well aware that the youth of today are the men and women of tomorrow and that, since any country's greatest wealth is its people, every care must be taken to provide the young with the means of self-development, physical as well as mental.
The General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW) has sponsored a range of cultural activities. These have included arts and crafts, and literary, drama and folklore clubs. The General Presidency of Youth Welfare has played an active role in national and international cultural events, including arts exhibitions, calligraphy and poetry and essay competitions.
In addition, the GPYW has played a major role in the Kingdom's sporting life.
In this way, the organization has been able to offer the young people of the Kingdom the opportunity to develop their artistic talents to the full.
In the Government re-organisation in May, 2003, the newly-constituted Ministry of Culture and Information took responsibility for several organisations previously affiliated to the GPYW:
- King Fahd Cultural Centre
- The Administration of Folklore
- The Saudi Society for Culture and Arts
- The General Administration of Cultural Activities
- The Literary Clubs
- The General Administration for Literary Clubs.
Courtesy: Ministry of Information, KSA
