Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet's virtual session on Tuesday.
At the outset of the session, the Cabinet reviewed the recent talks between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a number of countries that aim at consolidating cooperation in a way that contributes to promoting relations at all levels.
In this context, the Cabinet touched upon the agreements that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed, including the one with the Russian Federation in the military field, as agreement comes as part of the two governments' continuous efforts to develop bilateral relations in order to support the international peace and stability, as well as signing a protocol amendment to the minutes for establishing a Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council, which is a comprehensive framework to advance bilateral partnership to broader horizons in accordance with the Kingdom Vision 2030 and Qatar Vision 2030, in a manner that meets the aspirations of the two leaderships and serves the interests of the two peoples.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Minister of State, Cabinet's Member and Acting Minister of Media Dr. Essam bin Saad bin Saeed disclosed that the Cabinet reviewed the contents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's participation in the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirmed its commitment to support the stability and development of the Republic of Iraq as well as standing by its side towards a bright and promising future in line with its Arab, regional and international status. Saudi Arabia also confirmed that it will continue to cooperate and coordinate with the countries in the region to confront the threat of extremism and terrorism, asserting its rejection of the activities of foreign interference in some Arab countries.
The Cabinet reviewed a number of reports on the latest developments in the region and the world, expressing hope for the return of relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria as soon as possible. The Cabinet called on the brothers in the two countries to give precedence to dialogue and diplomacy to find solutions to contentious issues in a way that contributes to opening a new page for relations between the two brotherly countries, in order to benefit their peoples, achieve security and stability for the region, and enhance joint Arab action.
The Cabinet considered Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militia's two attempts to attack Abha International Airport in a systematic and deliberate manner, whereas one of them resulted in injuries and damage to a civilian aircraft, as a continuation of hostilities and war crimes targeting passengers of different nationalities and the airport staff, stressing that all measures have been taken to protect civilians and civilian objects in accordance with the international humanitarian law and its customary rules.
The Cabinet expressed the Kingdom's strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attack that targeted Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan's capital Kabul, affirming Saudi Arabia's position in rejecting these criminal acts, which contradict all religious principles and moral and human values.
With regard to domestic affairs, the Cabinet considered the Kingdom's launch of a package of qualitative initiatives and technological programs, in cooperation with ten of the world's key technology giants and with a total value of nearly SAR 4 billion, which constitutes the biggest technological launch of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, as a translation of the directives of leadership, in order to achieve the goals of the Kingdom Vision 2030 to seize the opportunities of the digital economy and consolidate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's position as a regional technological hub for the most important entrepreneurs, innovators and programmers.
The Cabinet, on the occasion of the start of the new academic year, emphasized the state's interest in improving the quality of education since it is a basic pillar to achieve aspirations towards progress, prosperity, development and advancement in knowledge and sciences. This includes working on developing curricula, study plans, and digital platforms in order to apply and keep pace with the best international practices and achieve the objectives of human capacity development and the programs of the Kingdom Vision 2030.
The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda, and issued the following decisions:
First:
The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Interior – or his representative – to discuss and sign with the Sri Lankan side a draft of extradition agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Second:
The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding regarding the establishment of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council.
Third:
The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding regarding the establishment of the Saudi-Pakistani Supreme Coordination Council.
Fourth:
The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Foreign Affairs – or his representative – to discuss and sign with the Estonian side a draft memorandum of understanding regarding political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia.
Fifth:
The Cabinet authorized the President of King Saud University – or his representative – to discuss and sign with the British side a draft memorandum of understanding for academic cooperation between King Saud University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.
Sixth:
The Cabinet authorized the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) – or his representative – to discuss and sign with the Bahraini side a draft memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Information and e-Government Authority of the Kingdom of Bahrain regarding the activation of the (health passport) to verify the status of travelers across the King Fahd Causeway, including citizens and expats in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain, with regard to adhering to the health requirements of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
Seventh:
The Cabinet approved a draft memorandum of understanding between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the field of countering extremism and terrorism and its financing. The Cabinet authorized the Head of State Security – or his representative – to discuss and sign with the British side in this regard.
Eighth:
The Cabinet approved the Judicial Costs System.
Ninth:
The Cabinet amended the Precious Metals and Gems System.
Tenth:
The Cabinet approved the cancellation of the National Biodiversity Committee
Eleventh:
The Cabinet amended an organization of the Real Estate General Authority.
Twelfth:
The Cabinet approved an amendment of the GCC Common Customs Law.
Thirteenth:
The Cabinet approved to create 137 jobs (Assistant Professor) and 272 jobs (Lecturer) within the budget of Jazan University for the coming fiscal year (1443/1444H) in accordance with the accredited roofs.
Fourteenth:
The Cabinet approved the Enforcement Law before the Board of Grievances.
Fifteenth:
The Cabinet approved two promotions at rank (14). The Cabinet was also briefed on a number of issues on its agenda and took relevant recommendations.
