Municipality Today

His Highness the Mayor Dr. Faisal bin Ayyaf’s Remarks on the Steering Committee Meeting of Riyadh Municipality

If you ask any employee or leader at Riyadh Municipality where all its leadership is gathered at 10:00 AM every Thursday, they will immediately tell you that it is the time of the Municipality's Steering Committee meeting. Since the beginning of my work at the Municipality until today, everyone knows that this is a fixed appointment that never changes. I have been committed to holding this meeting on time, and I firmly believe by the grace and guidance of Allah that it is one of the most important factors behind the successful management of a large and complex organization like Riyadh Municipality.

The Steering Committee functions like a board of directors, comprising the leaders of the organization. It discusses all matters related to departments, sub-municipalities, and agencies, and it approves the policies, directions, and strategies that drive our operations. We start each weekly meeting by reviewing completed and delayed tasks, followed by a quick overview of new developments. We then listen to the voices and concerns of beneficiaries by reviewing performance indicators and feedback from platforms like the 940 Call Center and “Voice of the Beneficiary.” The agenda items vary depending on emerging issues and needs, and at regular intervals, we conclude the meeting by honoring those who have achieved notable results or excelled in performance indicators.

From this committee, ten supervisory subcommittees have emerged, each with its own executive committees that operate under clear mandates and submit annual reports, reinforcing governance throughout the organization. The committee has had a clear and visible impact on improving work quality and outcomes by ensuring that major decisions are discussed at a table that brings together diverse expertise. Decisions are not issued until they have been discussed in a collaborative manner, each leader contributing within their field.

Holding the meeting consistently at the same time every week has made it a standing appointment for follow-up and accountability. Everyone in the organization knows that Thursday is the day to reward excellence and hold shortcomings to account.

Despite all these direct positive effects, I believe the indirect benefits are even greater. The committee has fostered a culture of teamwork and collective responsibility among members and across various teams, despite the complexity and pace of work. Every member has become aware of developments in other departments, enhancing cross-agency collaboration and highlighting opportunities for integration.

The committee has also significantly contributed to instilling a culture of unity and shared purpose working together as one team to achieve common goals. Once overarching directions are discussed within the committee, every member becomes responsible for executing them, which unifies efforts and strengthens institutional belonging. In the past, leaders often focused solely on their own departments, without coordination or shared responsibility with other sectors. This committee helped dissolve such barriers and foster a sense of belonging to the entire organization.

This impact is not only practical but psychological as well. Every leader now feels that they are part of a greater whole, and that everything related to the Municipality concerns them—not just their own department. This has increased engagement among leadership and turned every topic presented into a subject for collective discussion.

These meetings have also become a platform for directly understanding the priorities and overarching direction of the head of the organization. This enables leaders to better align their own priorities, identify key areas of focus, and translate them into actionable plans.

On a more informal level, the weekly gatherings and open discussions have broken the ice, created a positive atmosphere, strengthened personal relationships, and made Thursdays a valuable opportunity to resolve pending matters before or after the meeting.

Steering Committee Meetings