Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Chairs Cabinet's Virtual Session

 The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Prime Minister, chaired on Tuesday the Cabinet's virtual session.

At the outset of the session, the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the overall consultations and talks being held over the past few days between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a number of sisterly and friendly countries. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques told the Cabinet that the talks addressed the relations and the regional and international developments as well as the welcome the Kingdom's Middle East Green Initiative received and the work to achieve its environmental objectives in the region and the world.

The Cabinet emphasized absolute standing and complete solidarity by the side of the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, based on the reassertion the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques has made during his telephone call with His Majesty the King of Jordan, citing full support for whatever measures and decisions His Majesty and His Crown Prince might take to preserve the security and stability of Jordan.

The Cabinet also lauded the outcomes of the official talks His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince had with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq during which the two sides confirmed determination to deepen and proceed with the aspects of cooperation and coordination between the two friendly countries in a way that allows optimal investment for all potentials and opportunities to enhance integration and solidarity to face the common challenges and contribute to enhancing security and stability of the region.

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi pointed out that the Cabinet reviewed the developments of a host of issues and incidents, reiterating the Kingdom's support for the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of the Sudan and for any endeavor that shall contribute to ending the Renaissance Dam file and observing the interests of all parties to reach a fair and binding arrangement in accordance with the international laws and standards, in force, in this regard, in a way that preserves the rights, in the river's waters, of all the Nile Basهn countries and serves the interests of their countries and peoples as well.

The Cabinet emphasized supporting all international efforts being exerted for the return of stability and peace to Syria and its people, citing the Kingdome's assertion at Brussels 5the conference on supporting the future of Syria and the region, during which the Kingdom demanded the stoppage of Iran's sectarian project that contributes to prolonging the crisis and complicating it more and more. The Kingdom also called for the departure of Iran and all forces affiliated to it and stoppage of its criminal practices aiming to altering the Arab identity of Syria. The Kingdom also underscored the importance of fighting all forms of terrorist organizations.

The Cabinet considered the Kingdom's grant of new oil derivatives to operate power stations in the governorates of the Republic of Yemen, as a continuation of its support and standing with Yemen and its government, alleviating the suffering of its people, its efforts to achieve lasting peace, and establish security and stability in it.

On the local arena, Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi indicated that the Cabinet touched on the unprecedented and continuous historical development process in all sectors and regions of the Kingdom, appreciating in this regard the inauguration of "Shareek" program by HRH the Crown Prince. Shareek program establishes a new phase of cooperation and partnership between government and the private sector to develop the contribution to the sustainable growth of the national economy, and to accelerate the achievement of the strategic objectives of increasing the resilience of the economy and supporting prosperity as a national priority for the Kingdom, as an enabling country for business and its supportive environment, through proactive, innovative, smart and unique steps, targeting the development of local investments in the coming years.

The Cabinet reviewed the preparations and arrangements from the authorities concerned with serving the visitors of the Two Holy Mosques, to implement their security, preventive, organizational and service plans during the holy month of Ramadan, according to an integrated work system that provides the visitors of the Two Holy Mosques with all means of comfort and more facilitation to perform their rituals in a safe and healthy environment of peace and tranquility, and the best level the highest safety measures.

The Cabinet followed up the developments of the Coronavirus pandemic at the local and international levels, and the epidemiological situation, in light of what was recorded by relevant statistics and indicators. The Cabinet also followed up on the efforts taken by the concerned authorities to maintain public health and limit the spread of the virus, stressing the need to continue adhering to the precautionary measures.

The Cabinet was briefed on the issues on its agenda, including some co-studied by the Shura Council. The Cabinet was also briefed on the results reached by each of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, the Council of Political and Security Affairs, the General Committee of the Cabinet, and the Cabinet's Bureau of Experts.

The Cabinet issued the following decisions:

First: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Energy - or his representative - to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of energy between the Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Singapore.

Second: The Cabinet approved an agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Union of Arab Banks on a headquarter for the union.

Third: The Cabinet approved the guidance model of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation and news exchange between the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and its counterparts in other countries and authorized the Minister of Media, who is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SPA - or his representative - to discuss and sign the memorandum of understanding.

Fourth: The Cabinet approved accession of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the 2014 Protocol supplementing the Convention No. (29) of 1930 related to forced Labor.

Fifth: The Cabinet approved the rules for monitoring state real estate and removing encroachment.

Sixth: The Cabinet approved to establishment a center named Center for the Regulation of Heavy Equipment, in accordance with the regulatory arrangements of the decision.

Seventh: The Cabinet approved, in principle, the initiative of Tourism Community and authorized the Minister of Tourism - or his representative - to coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to take the necessary measures to establish a trust fund for the initiative with the World Bank and the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

Eighth: The Cabinet approved the license for Banque Misr to open a branch in the Kingdom.

Ninth: The Cabinet approved the organizational regulations for juvenile homes.

Tenth: The Cabinet approved the National Policy for the Prevention of Child Labor, and the National Action Plan for the Prevention of Child Labor in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Eleven: The competent judicial authority - stipulated in Article (223) of the Companies Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/3) dated 1/28/1437 - refers to the committees for resolving securities disputes, and that is related to the joint stock companies listed on the capital market.

Twelfth: The Cabinet approved a number of promotions at the 14 and 15 ranks.

The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda and took relevant recommendations.