GOVERNANCE
The Saudi Business Council (SBC) is committed to the highest standards of institutional governance, recognising that sustainable international cooperation depends upon transparency, accountability, responsible leadership, and clearly defined decision-making processes.
As an independent, non-profit, private-sector association legally registered in the National Register of Associations (Registro Nacional de Asociaciones) of the Ministry of the Interior of the Kingdom of Spain, SBC operates within a governance framework that promotes ethical conduct, institutional independence, legal compliance, and long-term stewardship while supporting responsible engagement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the international community.
The Council's governance framework has been developed to ensure that every programme, publication, partnership, and institutional initiative reflects its mission, statutory objectives, and commitment to professional excellence.
Governance Philosophy
SBC believes that institutions create lasting value when they operate with integrity, transparency, accountability, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law.
Governance is therefore integrated throughout every aspect of the Council's activities, including strategic planning, partnership development, institutional cooperation, research, publications, financial stewardship, and organizational management.
The Council seeks to provide an institutional environment in which qualified stakeholders may cooperate with confidence through clearly defined responsibilities, ethical leadership, and sound governance practices.
Governance Principles
The governance of the Saudi Business Council is guided by the following institutional principles:
Integrity
Conducting all activities honestly, ethically, professionally, and in accordance with applicable legislation and the Council's Statutes.
Independence
Maintaining institutional independence while cooperating constructively with governments, public authorities, international organizations, companies, universities, development institutions, and civil society.
Transparency
Promoting openness in governance, institutional communications, reporting, publications, and organizational development.
Accountability
Ensuring that responsibilities, decision-making processes, and institutional oversight are clearly defined and exercised responsibly.
Professionalism
Supporting evidence-based decision-making, strategic planning, institutional coordination, and responsible implementation.
Responsible Governance
Applying governance practices that strengthen institutional confidence, compliance, sustainability, and long-term organizational development.
Long-Term Stewardship
Encouraging responsible leadership that creates sustainable institutional value for present and future generations.
Governance Framework
The governance framework of the Saudi Business Council supports effective institutional leadership through clearly defined governance functions, including:
- Strategic leadership
- Organizational oversight
- Executive coordination
- Institutional administration
- Financial stewardship
- Strategic planning
- Programme oversight
- Research and knowledge development
- Partnership governance
- Institutional communications
- Compliance and organizational accountability
These governance functions operate together to support the Council's mission while ensuring responsible organizational management and institutional continuity.
Leadership Responsibilities
Those serving in governance and leadership positions are expected to demonstrate:
- Integrity
- Professional conduct
- Respect for institutional mandates
- Responsible stewardship
- Accountability
- Confidentiality where appropriate
- Respect for cultural diversity
- Compliance with applicable laws and regulations
- Commitment to the Council's mission and Statutes
These principles strengthen institutional confidence among stakeholders while promoting responsible international cooperation.
Accountability and Oversight
Accountability is embedded throughout the Council's governance framework.
SBC promotes:
- Clearly defined organizational responsibilities
- Responsible financial management
- Strategic planning and institutional review
- Publication of governance information where appropriate
- Continuous organizational improvement
- Compliance with applicable legislation
- Responsible organizational record keeping
The Council seeks to maintain an open, transparent, and accountable institutional culture while respecting confidentiality where required by law, contractual obligations, or partnership agreements.
Institutional Independence
The Saudi Business Council operates independently of any government.
SBC does not exercise governmental authority, regulatory powers, licensing functions, diplomatic responsibilities, or sovereign authority.
Unless expressly authorized in writing for a specific purpose, the Council does not represent the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Government of the Kingdom of Spain, or any ministry, authority, sovereign institution, or public body.
All engagement with ministries, authorities, sovereign investment entities, public institutions, and governmental organizations remains subject to the legal mandates, governance procedures, and independent decision-making processes of the respective institutions.
The Council complements the work of public institutions by encouraging responsible international cooperation while fully respecting their legal responsibilities and institutional independence.
Compliance and Ethical Conduct
SBC conducts its activities in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom of Spain and with full respect for the legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Compliance is an integral component of the Council's governance framework.
Every programme, publication, partnership, and institutional initiative is developed within a compliance-first approach that promotes lawful conduct, organizational responsibility, ethical leadership, and sound governance.
Governance in Support of Saudi Vision 2030
The Council aligns its governance practices with the principles of responsible institutional development that support the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Through transparent governance, strategic leadership, and institutional accountability, SBC seeks to strengthen international cooperation that contributes to economic diversification, innovation, knowledge exchange, responsible investment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable long-term development.
As an independent association, the Council complements the work of relevant Saudi and international institutions while fully respecting their legal mandates, governance frameworks, and institutional responsibilities.
The Saudi Business Council will continue to strengthen its governance framework in accordance with organizational growth, evolving international best practices, and the needs of its stakeholders.
By combining institutional independence, responsible oversight, ethical leadership, and transparent decision-making, SBC seeks to strengthen confidence among governments, companies, investors, universities, development institutions, and international organizations while contributing to responsible international cooperation in support of Saudi Vision 2030.
The Saudi Business Council believes that strong governance enables effective international cooperation.
Through integrity, accountability, transparency, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law, SBC remains committed to strengthening institutional confidence while supporting sustainable international partnerships between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the global community.