Saudi Cabinet designates May 12 as National Organ Donation Day

Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session held today in Jeddah.

At the start of the meeting, the Cabinet reviewed recent consultations and discussions between Saudi Arabia and friendly nations, including a message received by the Crown Prince from Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The Cabinet highlighted the outcomes of the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee for the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. The meeting agreed on further institutional steps to establish a permanent secretariat in the Kingdom, aiming to enhance joint cooperation, coordination, and collective deterrence and defense, supporting international security and regional efforts for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace.

Minister of Media Salman bin Yousif Al-Dosari stated to the Saudi Press Agency after the session that the Cabinet, following a review of the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for all efforts that strengthen the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s role in serving Islamic causes and fulfilling the aspirations of its peoples for stability and peace. The Cabinet congratulated Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on his election as OIC Secretary-General and expressed appreciation for the work of outgoing Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha.

The Cabinet discussed Saudi Arabia’s active role in regional and international organizations, commending national efforts that have made the Kingdom a regional leader with 21 cities certified as healthy by the World Health Organization, by institutionalizing and developing these standards to prioritize people and quality of life as a core of sustainable development.

The Cabinet praised the National Afforestation Program for winning the United Nations Award for World Restoration Flagships, recognizing its leadership in environmental protection, vegetation development, land restoration, ecosystem protection, and biodiversity enhancement.

The Cabinet considered Saudi Arabia’s re-election as chair of the executive council of the Arab Administrative Development Organization as confirmation of its leadership in supporting joint Arab action and its ongoing contributions to developing human resources and improving service quality for member states in line with shared goals and aspirations.

The Cabinet reviewed items on its agenda, including those studied in cooperation with the Shoura Council, as well as the outcomes from the Political and Security Affairs Council, the Economic and Development Affairs Council, the General Committee of the Cabinet, and the Bureau of Experts. The Cabinet resolved as follows:

First:

Approval of an agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Greece on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, and service passports.

Second:

Authorizing the Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, or a delegate, to sign a draft agreement with Argentina to avoid double taxation on income and capital and prevent tax evasion and avoidance.

Third:

Approval of a memorandum of understanding in the municipal and housing sectors between the Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing and the Syrian Ministry of Local Administration and Environment.

Fourth:

Approval of a memorandum of understanding between the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities in Saudi Arabia and the National Agency for Persons with Disabilities in Djibouti for cooperation in disability care.

Fifth:

Authorizing the Chairman of the Insurance Authority, or a delegate, to negotiate and sign a draft memorandum of understanding with the Guernsey Financial Services Commission on cooperation in training and capacity building.

Sixth:

Approval of a memorandum of understanding between King Fahd National Library and the National Library of Poland.

Seventh:

Approval of the Cooperatives Law.

Eighth:

Approval to designate May 12 each year as National Organ Donation Day.

Ninth:

Approval of the final accounts for Qassim, Jouf, and Hail universities for the past two fiscal years.

Tenth:

Issuing necessary directives regarding several items on the Cabinet agenda, including annual reports from the General Authority for Defense Development, the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities, the Alimony Fund, and the Saudi Center for Economic Business (formerly).

Eleventh:

Approval of the appointment of Dr. Shahir bin Ahmed Al-Oufi as Deputy Governor of Madinah Region at grade 15.