JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet on Tuesday welcomed an agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan to take further institutional steps toward establishing a General Secretariat for the Makkah Defence Alliance, which will be headquartered in Riyadh.
The cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, commended the outcome of the first meeting of the agreement’s Political-Defence Strategy Committee, held in Istanbul on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
سمو #ولي_العهد يرأس جلسة #مجلس_الوزراء في جدة.#واس pic.twitter.com/5k7ULn6x9t
— واس الأخبار الملكية (@spagov) September 1, 2026
The three countries also agreed to expand and activate joint cooperation mechanisms aimed at strengthening coordination and integration, enhancing collective deterrence and defence capabilities, and supporting regional and international efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace.
Promoting sustainable peace and stability in region
In a joint statement, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan said they would work together within the framework of the Makkah Agreement to promote sustainable peace and stability in the region and continue supporting de-escalation and restraint to encourage the peaceful resolution of crises.
“Acting with a sense of regional ownership, the three countries reiterate their determination to work together within the framework of the Makkah Agreement to achieve sustainable peace and stability in their region. To that end, they will continue to support efforts towards de-escalation and restraint to encourage peaceful resolution of crises,” the joint statement read.
#جدة | برئاسة سمو #ولي_العهد.. الجانب السياسي من جلسة #مجلس_الوزراء 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/RWNN80xpEI
— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) September 1, 2026
The three countries agreed to take steps to further institutionalise their cooperation within the Makkah Agreement in a manner that would enhance their solidarity, ensure the credibility and effectiveness of their collective deterrence and defence, and contribute to the regional efforts and cooperative security towards a just, inclusive and lasting peace, the joint statement added.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed on August 7 in Makkah between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
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The cabinet also reviewed recent consultations and talks between Saudi Arabia and allied countries, including a message received by bin Salman from Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
OIC meeting reviewed
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said the Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The Cabinet reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s continued support for efforts aimed at strengthening the OIC’s role in advancing Islamic causes and meeting the aspirations of Muslims for peace, security, and stability. It also congratulated Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on his election as OIC Secretary-General and expressed appreciation for the efforts of his predecessor, Hissein Brahim Taha, during his tenure.
The Cabinet also underscored Saudi Arabia’s active role in regional and international organisations, while commending national efforts to reinforce the Kingdom’s regional leadership in public health. Saudi Arabia now has 21 cities accredited as healthy cities by the World Health Organisation (WHO), a milestone achieved by integrating accreditation standards into institutional and development practices that prioritise human well-being and quality of life as key elements of sustainable development.
Saudi Cabinet praises National Greening Programme
The Cabinet further praised the National Greening Programme for receiving a United Nations World Restoration Flagships award, recognising its environmental efforts to expand vegetation cover, restore degraded land, protect ecosystems, and promote biodiversity.
In addition, the Cabinet noted Saudi Arabia’s re-election as Chair of the Executive Council of the Arab Administrative Development Organisation, highlighting the Kingdom’s continued contribution to joint Arab initiatives, human resource development, and improving the quality of public services across member states in pursuit of shared goals.
