The Cabinet, presided over by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Tuesday at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, praised Saudi Arabia for its efficient and effective work in rescuing its citizens and nationals of other countries stranded in Sudan and transporting them to the Kingdom.
These actions reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to its global citizens and its desire to stand in solidarity with the people of the world.
The Cabinet discussed recent events in Sudan and the diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives taken by the Kingdom to find a peaceful resolution to the problem, restore security and stability in the country, and lessen the suffering of the Sudanese people.
Saudi Arabia has been a global leader in delivering humanitarian and medical relief, spending $100 million so far and launching a fundraising effort.
Saudi officials met with their counterparts from various friendly nations recently to discuss measures to deepen relations and to confer on the latest regional and international developments, and the Cabinet was updated on these discussions at the opening of the session.
Cabinet member Salman Bin Yousef Al-Dosari told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the recent decision by the ministerial level of the Arab League Council in Cairo to allow Syrian government delegations to once again attend meetings of the Arab League Council and all of its affiliated organizations and bodies was very much appreciated.
He added that the Cabinet had reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting efforts to find a political solution to the issue in Syria that would ensure the survival of the Arab nation, the safety of its people, and their opportunity to flourish.
The Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment made at the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate to collaborate with international and regional partners to find solutions to climate issues, such as the creation of carbon management techniques, the reduction of carbon and other gas emissions from the energy sector, and the control of deforestation.
The Cabinet also praised Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman for announcing the establishment of four special economic zones in the cities of Riyadh, Jazan, Ras Al-Khair, and King Abdullah Economic City. These zones will work to diversify and grow the Saudi economy, as well as enhance the country’s investment climate.
The minister reported that the Cabinet had reviewed the general budget’s performance indicators for the first quarter of 2023, including total revenues, expenditures, and public debt, and that they reflect the strong financial position of the Kingdom, bolstered by ongoing economic reforms, which aids in the achievement of the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives.
The Cabinet praised the Kingdom for its responsible, serious, and innovative response to the COVID-19 outbreak, saying it demonstrates the country’s desire to protect its citizens and serve as an example to the world.
The Saudi and Chinese governments have agreed to form a high-level joint committee, and the Cabinet has authorized the minister of foreign affairs to negotiate a draft attached protocol with the Chinese side.
It gave the minister of foreign affairs permission to meet with his Guyanese counterpart to talk about the two countries’ proposed memorandum of understanding on political discussions.
In order to construct the Strategic Partnership Council between the governments of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic, the Cabinet gave the minister of foreign affairs permission to negotiate a draft memorandum of understanding with the French side.
The Committee on Religious Affairs of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance signed a memorandum of understanding.
It gave the minister of human resources and social development permission to meet with his Turkish counterpart to negotiate a social services cooperation memorandum of understanding.
A tourist cooperation agreement between the Saudi Arabian Ministry of tourist and the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Agency was authorized by Cabinet.
The Multi-Donor Trust Fund for the Digital Development Partnership was given the go-ahead after an agreement was reached between the Saudi Data and AI Authority, on behalf of the Saudi government, and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association.
The draft framework agreement for cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan will be discussed with the Uzbek side by the minister of energy, chairman of the board of directors of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy.
A draft memorandum of understanding in the field of technical and vocational training between the TVTC of Saudi Arabia and the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission of Pakistan was approved by the Cabinet and will be discussed with the Pakistani side. The minister of education also serves as chairman of the board of directors of the TVTC.
It gave its blessing to an agreement between the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs of Somalia and the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to combat and prevent corruption.
It green-lit an agreement between Uzbekistan’s National Center for Human Rights and Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Commission.
A draft regional strategy for the sustainability of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden was approved by the Cabinet, and the foreign minister was given permission to negotiate it with the Council of Arab and African Countries of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
It gave the green light to the launch of the “Sakha program for supporting society through adopting sustainable development projects.”
It also gave its general blessing to plans to blanket the whole of Saudi Arabia with a network of radio surveillance satellites.
