His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held today in Jeddah.
At the outset, the Cabinet reviewed the plans prepared for the 1446 AH Hajj season, emphasizing the highest standards of efficiency, quality, coordination, and integration among relevant authorities. These efforts aim to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims, supported by the Kingdom’s extensive development projects and advanced infrastructure, which enhance all aspects of service and facilitate the performance of Hajj rituals for pilgrims from around the world.
In this context, the Cabinet expressed the pride of the Kingdom, its leadership and people, in the honor of serving the Two Holy Mosques and receiving millions of pilgrims for Hajj, Umrah, and visitation. This reflects the Kingdom’s pioneering Islamic role and longstanding commitment since its unification by the late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. The Cabinet prayed to Allah Almighty to enable pilgrims to complete their rituals in peace and return safely to their homelands.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary stated that the Cabinet reviewed the content of recent talks and meetings between the Kingdom and various countries aimed at strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation on regional and international issues.
The Cabinet also discussed the Kingdom’s participation in the recent summits between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as with China. These engagements reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for international initiatives promoting sustainable development and regional stability, contributing to a prosperous future for all nations.
Additionally, the Cabinet welcomed the announcement of a new oil discovery in the neutral zone between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait. It described the development as a positive step that enhances cooperation in the energy sector and reflects the success of joint exploration and development efforts.
The Cabinet reviewed regional and international developments, reiterating the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to support the Palestinian cause. It called for an end to the war on the Gaza Strip, the facilitation of humanitarian aid, and the cessation of violations by Israeli occupation authorities of international laws and norms.
The Cabinet praised the launch of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition’s regional program for Sahel countries, inaugurated in Mali. The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation among member states in combatting terrorism and its financing through joint action and the exchange of expertise.
Domestically, the Cabinet lauded the transformative initiatives under the Health Transformation Program, which have enhanced the quality and comprehensiveness of healthcare, improved preventive and traffic safety measures, and advanced digital health services in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.
The Cabinet also acknowledged the Kingdom’s recent achievements and high rankings on global indices, including its second-place position among G20 countries in the UN International Telecommunication Union’s 2024 ICT Regulatory Tracker.
The Cabinet affirmed that the Kingdom remains committed to comprehensive and sustainable development through economic diversification, optimization of its competitive advantages, stimulation of local and foreign investment, empowerment of Saudi citizens, and the creation of job opportunities across various sectors.
The Cabinet addressed other items on its agenda and issued several decisions, among which the following:
First:
Approving the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands at the level of non-resident ambassador, and authorizing the minister of foreign affairs, or a deputy, to sign the draft protocol in this regard.
Second:
Authorizing the minister of foreign affairs, or a deputy, to sign a draft agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China regarding the exemption of airline crew members from entry visas.
Third:
Approving memoranda of understanding for cooperation in the cultural field between the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia and each of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Tunisia, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Benin.
Fourth:
Approving an agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Kosovo in the field of air transport services.
Fifth:
Approving a memorandum of understanding between the General Authority for Competition of Saudi Arabia and the Competition and Antitrust Council of Iraq for cooperation in promoting competition and combating monopolistic practices.
Sixth:
Approving a memorandum of cooperation on development cooperation between the Saudi Fund for Development and the Italian Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.
