Secretariat
Executive secretariat supporting CITDigital operations
How the laws define this
AI regulatory frameworks consistently position a secretariat as an operational support unit or function responsible for administrative assistance, agenda preparation, progress tracking, and record-keeping for a governing body or official. Differences emerge primarily regarding institutional structure and staffing composition. Under Cabinet Decision No. (10) of 2021 and the statute for the Government Plenipotentiary for Artificial Intelligence, the secretariat operates within a single government ministry—specifically as MCIT staff designated by the Minister in the former, and as a unit hosted within MIRRI employing civil servants in the latter. Conversely, Presidential Circular No. 2021/18 establishes the secretariat as a joint operational function shared across two entities, the Presidency Digital Transformation Office and the Ministry of Industry and Technology, while also serving as a public contact point. Meanwhile, Decreto nº 12.308/2024 structures it as an executive office focused on administrative support, priority agendas, and project monitoring specifically for CITDigital.
Synthesised from the 4 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
How jurisdictions differ
What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first. Showing 3 of the 4 instruments that define this term; all are listed under Definitions below.
| Jurisdiction | Instrument | Status | What is distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Decree No. 12.308/2024 | In Force | Defines Secretariat as executive office with broad responsibilities including processing proposals, tracking projects, preparing reports, and monitoring CITDigital routines. |
| Slovakia | Statute of the Government Plenipotentiary for Artificial Intelligence | In Force | Limits Secretariat to an organisational unit within MIRRI providing support to the AI Plenipotentiary, staffed by civil servants without extra budget. |
| Qatar | Cabinet Decision No. (10) of 2021 establishing the Artificial Intelligence Committee | In Force | Specifies Secretariat as designated MCIT staff handling administrative support, meeting records, and duties set by the Minister for the AI Committee. |
What it triggers
- In Brazil, under Decree No. 12.308/2024, the Secretariat ensures follow-up of decisions and monitoring routines for CITDigital.source
- In Slovakia, under the Statute of the Government Plenipotentiary for Artificial Intelligence, the Secretariat provides organisational, administrative and technical support to the Plenipotentiary.source
- In Qatar, under Cabinet Decision No. (10) of 2021, the Secretariat maintains meeting records and minutes and carries out duties set by the MCIT Minister.source
Definitions (4)
The Secretariat is the executive office responsible for administrative support, processing proposals, maintaining the agenda of priorities, tracking projects, preparing reports, and ensuring follow-up of decisions and monitoring routines for CITDigital.
The organisational and administrative unit hosted within the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization (MIRRI) that provides organisational, administrative and technical support to the Plenipotentiary; its staff are employed under civil service or employment contracts and it operates without additional budgetary claims in the statute.
The joint operational support function performed by the Presidency Digital Transformation Office and the Ministry of Industry and Technology, responsible for preparing Board agendas, implementing the Action Plan, coordinating interagency work, consolidating progress reports, and serving as the public contact point for strategy implementation.
The group of MCIT staff designated by the MCIT Minister to act as the Committee secretariat, responsible for administrative support, maintaining meeting records and minutes, and carrying out duties and allowances as set by the Minister.
Not to be confused with
Secretaria-Executiva is the specific secretariat function provided by the Casa Civil, while this term refers more generally to executive support structures.
Questions and answers
What does the Secretariat do under Brazil's Decree No. 12.308/2024?
It provides administrative support, processes proposals, maintains priority agendas, tracks projects, prepares reports, and ensures follow-up for CITDigital. This supports the Interministerial Committee for Digital Transformation.
Where is Slovakia's Secretariat for AI hosted?
It is hosted within the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization. Staff are under civil service or employment contracts with no additional budget.
Who comprises Qatar's AI Committee Secretariat?
It consists of MCIT staff designated by the MCIT Minister. They handle administrative support, meeting records, and other duties set by the Minister.
Related Terms
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Executive Committee responsible for operational coordination....
Secretariat technical
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Plenary
Full decision-making body of CITDigital...
CITDigital
Interministerial Committee for Digital Transformation...
Secretaria-Executiva
Secretariat function provided by the Casa Civil....