Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a decree establishing the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, which follows the President of the Republic and replaces a ministry, and another decree appointing two new ministers.

Al-Assad also issued Legislative Decree No. (38), which establishes the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic that follows the President of the Republic and replaces the Ministry of Presidential Affairs. According to Decree No. (38), the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic aims to provide the work that helps the President of the Republic perform his duties and responsibilities. The General Secretariat undertakes to manage administrative, financial, and legal matters at the Presidency of the Republic and supervise them, and the General Secretariat is headed by a Secretary-General who supervises its work.

President Bashar al-Assad also issued Decree No. 313 appointing engineer Hussein Makhloof as Minister of Water Resources and engineer Lamia Youssef Shakour as Minister of Local Administration and Environment.