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, on Tuesday chaired the Cabinet's virtual session.

At the outset of the meeting, the Cabinet reviewed a number of issues and developments at the regional and international arenas, citing the continuous efforts and endeavors the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is exerting to contribute to find solutions and address the crises in the region and the world at large. The Cabinet also took note of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's participation in a number of international meetings, conferences and forums during the past days to enhance the prospects for international cooperation in various fields.

The Cabinet considered the launching of the 'Riyadh Initiative', approved by the UN General Assembly at its first special session, which aimed at establishing a Global Network of Operations to exchange information among anti-corruption agencies around the world as a continuation of the pioneering role the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has played and the efforts it has exerted during assuming its G20 presidency to enhance international cooperation in the field of combating corruption and pushing it to the narrowest extent and to achieve sustainable development in the region and the world in integrity-and-transparency-based environment, calling on the world community to show an effective participation in establishing the network and providing the necessary support for making the initiative a success and follow up its development in a way that serves the joint interests.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi stated that the Cabinet took note of the prestigious profile and high status the Kingdom enjoys among the world countries as it made great strides at the world's advanced rankings reflected by international indicators and reports.

Citing that the Kingdom has ranked 1st worldwide in the government’s response to the Corona pandemic and the entrepreneurs' response to the pandemic, and 7th in the entrepreneurial progress worldwide, Dr. Al-Gasabi added that the renowned achievements reflect the authorities and agencies' of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's determination to move forward in securing more achievements as per the Kingdom Vision 2030 programs, to upgrade the country's competitiveness to the level of the most stimulating for business Top 10 countries.

The Cabinet was briefed on the outcomes of the first meeting of the Saudi Kuwaiti Coordination Council including the arrangement reached and the numerous memorandums of understanding signed to further develop and diversify the relations between the two countries and their strenuous efforts exerted to consolidate cooperation in various fields of mutual interest, upgrade the existing coordination and consultation at the bilateral and the multilateral level as well towards the overall regional and international issues of concern to the two sides and deepen all joint ties they share.

The Acting Minister of Media stated that the Cabinet was briefed on the latest developments of coronavirus pandemic locally and internationally, and have seen the prominent relevant statistics and indexes of the disease, reiterating the importance of remaining committed to follow the precautionary and preventive measures to reduce the spread of the virus and preserve the health of individuals of the community.

The Cabinet was briefed on issues on its agenda, including some co-studied by the Shura Council as well as the outcomes reached by each of the Council of Economic Affairs and Development, the Council of Political and Security Affairs, the Cabinet's General Committee and the Cabinet's Experts Commission in their regard.

The Cabinet issued the following decisions:

First: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Foreign Affairs, or his deputy, to discuss and sign with the Polish and Ukrainian sides, two draft memorandums of understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and each of the Governments of the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Ukraine on mutual exemption from short-term residence visas for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports of citizens of the two countries and forward the final versions for further authentication.

Second: The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Worship of the Republic of Mali in the field of Islamic affairs.

Third: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Tourism, or his deputy, to discuss with each of the World Bank and the World Tourism Organization (WTO), an affiliate of the United Nations, a draft memorandum of understanding regarding the Touristy Community Initiative between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Tourism, and the WTO, an affiliate of the United Nations; the World Bank for Construction and Development; and the International Development Association, an affiliate of the WB, sign it and forward the final version for further authentication.

Fourth: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Education, or his deputy, to discuss and sign with the Kosovan side a draft memorandum of understanding on scientific and educational cooperation between the Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kosovo, and forward the final version for further authentication.

Fifth: The Cabinet approved converting the initiative of establishing a fund to develop air linkage, part of the general strategy for the development of national tourism, according to the Cabinet Resolution No. (82) dated 25/1/1441 H., into a national program for air connectivity. The Cabinet approved the organizational arrangements of the program as well.

Sixth: The Cabinet exempted, from Article (7) of the system of state lease and eviction of real estate, approved by Royal Decree No. (M / 61) dated 18/9/1427 H., government agencies that rent buildings located on investment projects about which the General Authority for State Properties manages to conclude contracts with investors dealing with government lands.

Seventh: The Cabinet Approved the creation of an agency named (Logistics Services Agency) within the organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport, issued by Cabinet Resolution No. (271) dated 5/23/1440 H.

Eighth: The Cabinet approved the appointment of Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Haqbani as member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation as a representative of the private sector.

Ninth: The Cabinet approved a number of promotions at the 14 and 15 ranks and a post of minister plenipotentiary.

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