Saudi Cabinet approves national space policy, issues 12 new decisions

Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday.

At the start of the meeting, the Cabinet reviewed messages received by King Salman and the Crown Prince from the Sultan of Malaysia, as well as a message from the Crown Prince to the President of China, recent phone calls with the leaders of South Korea, Romania, and Spain, and the outcome of the Crown Prince of Jordan's visit.

The Cabinet followed developments in international affairs and Saudi diplomatic efforts, in coordination with allied and friendly nations, to strengthen regional security and stability and ensure development, while reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to defending its sovereignty.

Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari said the Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of Saudi Arabia’s participation in meetings of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the G20, as part of its efforts to promote joint cooperation and address global challenges, particularly in maritime security, energy, food security, trade, and supply chains.

The Cabinet reiterated Saudi Arabia’s rejection of all violations threatening the security and safety of maritime navigation and energy supplies, calling on the international community to take urgent action to ensure maritime security, protect global trade, and uphold international law.

The Cabinet affirmed that Saudi Arabia will continue to reliably supply global energy markets despite challenges, relying on long-term investments in infrastructure, storage facilities, and supply chains.

The Cabinet discussed items on its agenda and issued the following decisions:

• Authorized the President of the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission to negotiate with South Africa and Brazil on memorandums of understanding for information exchange in nuclear and radiological regulation.
• Authorized the President of King Abdulaziz Foundation to negotiate with Egypt on a cooperation agreement with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
• Approved a memorandum of understanding with India in the field of water resources.
• Authorized the Minister of Human Resources to negotiate with Syria on a memorandum of understanding to develop the labor market and skills.
• Approved a memorandum of understanding with Pakistan for scientific, training, and research cooperation at the Ministry of Interior.
• Approved a memorandum of understanding with Morocco in radio and television broadcasting.
• Approved the national space policy.
• Approved financial oversight rules for government endowment accounts.
• Transferred certain functions from the Exhibitions and Conferences Authority to the National Events Center and the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority.
• Appointed new members to the board of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.

The Cabinet also issued directives on other matters, including annual reports from several government entities, and approved promotions and appointments at the fourteenth rank and to the position of minister plenipotentiary in various ministries and agencies.