HRH the Crown Prince Chairs Cabinet Session in Riyadh

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held in Riyadh today.
 HRH the Crown Prince expressed his thanks and appreciation to the leaders of brotherly and friendly countries for the sincere feelings they conveyed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the 95th National Day. He offered praise and gratitude to Allah Almighty for the blessings bestowed upon this blessed nation, including its stability, prosperity, and development, as well as the unprecedented achievements it has realized along its path of progress.
 The Cabinet reviewed recent overall state affairs, with a particular focus on efforts to strengthen relations with countries worldwide. It commended the positive outcomes of Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the Kingdom, during which the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement was signed to enhance defense cooperation between the two brotherly nations and promote security and peace in the region and beyond.
 In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary emphasized the Cabinet's appreciation for the Saudi delegation's active participation in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly and the associated international meetings. This engagement reflects the Kingdom’s global stature, its pivotal role in international affairs, and its leadership in promoting peace, justice, and the principles of dialogue and peaceful solutions at all levels.
 The Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts to increase the number of countries recognizing the State of Palestine, highlighting the growing international commitment to securing the right of the brotherly Palestinian people to self-determination.
 Furthermore, the Cabinet welcomed the US administration’s announcement of President Donald Trump’s comprehensive plan aimed at ending the conflict in the Gaza Strip, rebuilding the strip, and facilitating the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid. It also appreciated the president’s declaration against allowing the annexation of the West Bank by Israel.
 Affirming the Kingdom’s readiness to cooperate with the US, the Cabinet expressed its commitment to achieving a comprehensive agreement to halt the Gaza Strip war, ensure Israel’s complete withdrawal, and provide adequate, unrestricted humanitarian assistance. These efforts support the pursuit of a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
 The minister stated that the Cabinet expressed appreciation for the election of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This election reflects the international community's confidence in the Kingdom's proactive role and its ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation in this field, promoting global development and peace.
 The Cabinet also recognized the Kingdom's election to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), having secured 175 out of 184 votes, which reflects the member states’ recognition of the Kingdom’s leadership and contributions in aviation.
 The Cabinet affirmed that the inclusion of the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve in UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme underscores the Kingdom's commitment to protecting natural environments and advancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
 Additionally, the Cabinet praised the outcomes of the second edition of the Global Infrastructure Forum held in Riyadh, noting the extensive participation from various countries and the signing of agreements to foster a sustainable future in this vital sector, enhancing the quality of life and urban landscapes.
 The Cabinet reviewed developments in the water sector across all regions of the Kingdom, including the inauguration and foundation laying of 122 environmental, water, and agriculture projects in Eastern Region, with investments exceeding SAR28.8 billion. These projects aim to achieve environmental and water sustainability while strengthening production, storage, distribution, treatment, and water quality systems.
 The Cabinet addressed other items on its agenda and issued several decisions, including the following:
 First:
 Authorizing the minister of environment, water and agriculture, or a deputy, to discuss and sign with the Somali side a draft memorandum of understanding on environmental protection between the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Somali Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
 Second:
 Authorizing the minister of investment, or a deputy, to sign a draft agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Morocco on the encouragement and mutual protection of investments, based on the accompanying draft, and to submit the signed final version to complete the regulatory procedures.
 Third:
 Authorizing the minister of education, or a deputy, to discuss and sign with the Korean side a draft memorandum of understanding on cooperation in health education, training, and research between the Saudi Ministry of Education and the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare.
 Fourth:
 Authorizing the chairman of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), or a deputy, to discuss and sign a draft cooperation agreement between SDAIA and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).
 Fifth:
 The Tourism Development Fund joins the World Tourism Organization as an associate member.
 Sixth:
 The minister of finance is to issue the necessary license for Easy Bank.