The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired here the Cabinet's virtual session.
At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the content of the two phone calls that he made to President Muhammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where they discussed efforts to achieve stability in global oil markets and restore balance to them, and with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq bin Taimur of Oman.
Then, the Cabinet was briefed on the developments of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic at the local and global levels as well as the latest statistics on cases detected in the Kingdom in light of the stability of the health situation, the continuation of high cases of recoveries, the gradual decline in the spread of the virus and the recording of the lowest rate of deaths in the world. The cabinet affirmed that these achievements were made due to taking proactive steps and applying preventive precautions, treatment protocols and health services which were harnessed by the wise leadership in order to safeguard the health and safety of citizens and expatriates in all regions of the Kingdom.
The Cabinet expressed aspirations for the new Hijri year 1442 AH to be a year of goodness, blessing, security and stability for the Arab and Islamic nations and the world.
In his statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Acting Minister of Media, disclosed that the Cabinet followed the preparations for the new academic year and what has been taken to serve the objectives of the educational process in light of these exceptional circumstances in order to preserve the safety of students, teachers, faculty members and training staff, wishing them all success.
The Cabinet reviewed the latest developments at the Arab, regional and international arenas, reiterating the Kingdom’s welcome of a ceasefire announced by the Presidential Council and the House of Representatives in Libya. In this regard, the cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's affirmation of the need to start an internal political dialogue that puts the Libyan national interest above all considerations and constitutes a lasting solution emanating from inside Libya that guarantees security and stability for the brotherly Libyan people, and prevents any foreign interference that endangers the Arab regional security.
Dr. Al-Qasabi indicated that the Cabinet expressed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia's launching of a bomb-laden UAV and a ballistic missile at civilian objects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a deliberate and systematic manner, which is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian laws.
The Cabinet reviewed topics on its agenda, including some being co-studied by the Shura Council.
The Cabinet was also briefed on the outcomes reached by the Economic and Development Affairs Council, the Political and Security Affairs Council, the General Committee of the Cabinet and the Cabinet's Bureau of Experts.
The Cabinet reached the following conclusions:
First:
Approval of a cooperation agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Djibouti in the field of sports.
Second:
Approval of authorization of the Minister of Foreign Affairs - or his representative - to discuss and sign with the Ugandan side a draft of general agreement for cooperation between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the Republic of Uganda, and regarding 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 Uganda.
Third:
Approval of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the cultural field between the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Citizenship in the Federal Republic of Brazil.
Fourth:
Approval of the accession of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure.
Fifth:
Approval of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Housing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Approval of the agreement of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 95 concerning Protection of wages, and approval of ILO Convention No. 120 concerning Health Rules in Trade and Offices, 1964.
Seventh:
Approval of a memorandum of understanding in the field of civil service between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
Eighth:
Approval of the list of rights and duties of those who are engaged in civil defense work and their relationship with their official bodies.
Ninth:
Approval of the amendment of the labor system issued by Royal Decree No. (M / 51) date 23/8/1426, as stated in the decision.
Tenth:
Establishing a general translation department and formation of an arbitration committee in the General Presidency of Islamic Research and Ifta, associated with the Vice President for Operational Affairs.
Eleventh:
Approval to transformation of the National Program for Industrial Development into the National Industrial Development Center.
Twelfth:
Approval to organize the Horse Racing Club.
Thirteenth:
Approval of final accounts of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission for previous fiscal years.
The Cabinet approved a number of promotions at the ranks of (14 and 15).
The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda, including annual reports of Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of National Guard, General Authority of Real Estate, General Customs Authority, Saudi Export Development Authority, and Public Pension Agency, the Cabinet took relevant recommendations.