Riyadh, SPA:
Under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Cabinet held its session yesterday via virtual network.

At the outset of the meeting, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the contents of the two joint telephone calls with President Donald Trump of the United States of America and President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, reviewing exerted efforts to maintain the stability of oil markets to support the growth of the global economy, the importance of cooperation between producing countries, the contribution of other producing countries, and expressing satisfaction at what was reached at the OPEC+ meeting hosted by the Kingdom.

The King also briefed the Cabinet on the contents of the telephone call received from President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine, who praised the Kingdom‘s stances in supporting Palestinians and their cause, wishing the Kingdom and its people overcoming the Coronavirus pandemic.

In light of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to stabilize the global energy markets and maintain fair prices for producers and consumers alike, and in the context of its constant endeavor to support the growth of the global economy in light of the developments that have occurred in those markets, the Cabinet praised the calls made by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister among heads of friendly countries in this regard, which resulted in OPEC and non-OPEC oil producing countries agreement during the 9th extraordinary Ministerial Meeting, announcing the Declaration of Cooperation, reaffirming the ongoing commitment to achieve stability, preserving common interests of producing countries, providig safe, economic, and highly efficient supplies to consumers, and adjusting reductions of their overall crude oil production gradually.

The Cabinet reviewed the final statement of the G20 Energy Ministers Extraordinary Meeting reviewing the effects on global oil markets due to the Coronavirus pandemic, its effects on worsening the global economic crisis, and the impact on sustainable development programs. The statement also affirmed the commitment to work together to reach cooperative responses in available policies, which will ensure the stability of the markets for various energy sources, taking into account the specific circumstances of each country, take the necessary and immediate measures to meet the challenges, and ensure a balance of interests between producers and consumers, in addition to ensuring the availability of energy sources needed in the health sector and other sectors that lead efforts against the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Cabinet discussed the precautions taken to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of orders and directives by the relevant authorities in this regard to preserve the health and safety of citizens at home and abroad, as well as residents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the provision of the necessary medicine, food and living needs, lauding the results of the Royal instructions to bring citizens back from abroad in coordination with a number of relevant authorities as they have started to arrive in the Kingdom from a number of countries, whereas they have been provided with necessary health care and preventive precautions.
The Cabinet was also briefed on reports and developments as regards the local and international levels of Coronavirus infection and expressed satisfaction with what was done in the Kingdom.
The Cabinet emphasized that all citizens and residents should comply with orders and instructions imposed by the relevant agencies to preserve their safety and contribute to stop the spread of the disease.
The Cabinet considered the positive estimates of global rating agencies on the strength and resilience of the economy of the Kingdom through stabilizing the credit rating of the Kingdom's economy with a stable outlook, as the move is considered an expression of the great confidence enjoyed by the Saudi economy, and a reflection of the strength of its financial position in facing challenges, especially in light of crises in general and the current exceptional circumstances.
The Cabinet reviewed a number of issues on the latest developments at regional and international arenas, pointing in this regard to the initiative of the “Alliance to Support Legitimacy in Yemen” for a comprehensive two-week extendable ceasefire to confront COVID-19 pandemic in Yemen, and prevent its spread, and create the appropriate conditions for the success of the call extended by the United Nations Secretary-General and his Special Envoy for Yemen to hold a meeting to discuss a proposal for a permanent ceasefire, and other confidence-building steps to pave the way for political consultations between the Yemeni parties to reach a comprehensive political solution in Yemen.
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 Council of Ministers, and the Cabinet's Panel of Experts with regard to the agenda.
The Cabinet reached the following conclusions:
First:
The Cabinet approved amendments of its former resolution regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between the Nuclear and Radiological Supervisory Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of the United States of America in the field of technical information exchange and cooperation in the regulatory affairs of nuclear safety.
Second:
The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the fields of developing renewable energy projects, and studying investment opportunities in the refining and petrochemical sectors as well as the mineral wealth sector.
Third:
The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of National Guard of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and each of the Seoul National University, the Korea National Enterprise for Clinical Trials and the Seoul National University Hospital of the Republic of Korea.
Fourth:
The Cabinet approved an agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Russian Federation regarding the mutual establishment of diplomatic commercial offices.
Fifth:
The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding for cooperation and exchange of news between the Saudi Press Agency and the Bangladesh News Agency.
Sixth:
The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Finance, who is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Zakat and Tax, or his deputy, to discuss with the relevant authorities in other countries regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between the General Authority of Zakat and Tax of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its counterparts in other countries to cooperate in the area of tax administration, sign it, and submit the final version to complete formal procedures.
Seventh:
The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Finance, who is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Customs, or his deputy, to sign a draft memorandum of understanding between the General Authority of Customs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Singapore Customs of the Republic of Singapore on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters, and submit the final version to complete formal procedures.
Eighth:
The Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the People's Republic of China in the field of maritime transport.
Ninth:
The Cabinet authorized the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, or his deputy, to discuss with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) side a draft memorandum of understanding between the Food and Drug Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE in the field of food safety, sign it and submit the final version to complete formal procedures.
Tenth:
The Cabinet decided to transform of the Historic Jeddah Project management into a program aimed at rehabilitating and developing Historic Jeddah in the urban, economic, social, cultural, historical, and environmental fields, and making its public facilities and services needs available.
Eleventh:
The Cabinet approved the system of pharmaceutical and herbal accessories facilities.
Twelfth:
The Cabinet drew the attention that the period of suspension of international flights, which the government has taken as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the Kingdom, is not considered as part of either the duration of a valid visit visa for the purpose of tourism which was not used or its holder was inside the Kingdom during the suspension period or even the duration of the insurance policy.
Thirteenth:
The Cabinet amended Articles 1, 13, 23, 26 and 27 of the system of accredited residents issued by Royal Decree No. (M / 43) dated 9/7/1433 AH, as stated in the decision.
Fourteenth:
The Cabinet approved two systems: one regulating conflict of interests in applying government procurement and competition system and the other regulating behavioral and ethical standards of those responsible for applying government competition and procurement system in addition to their executive regulations.
Fifteenth:
The Cabinet approved the establishment of an academy to be named "Financial Academy" and its organizational arrangements.
Sixteenth:
The Cabinet approved two final accounts of the Decision-making Support Center and Saudi Irrigation Organization (SIO) for a previous fiscal year.
Seventeenth:
The Cabinet approved a number of promotions on the 14th and 15th ranks as follows:
-Adel bin Saleh bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh is promoted to the post of Undersecretary of Hail Region Principality (rank 15) at Hail Region Principality.
-Eng. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Munahi Al-Otaibi is promoted to the post of Advisor of Information Technology (rank 15) at the National Information Center.
-Abdurrahman bin Mohammed bin Abdurahman Al-Amer is promoted to the post of Administrative Advisor (rank 14) at the Public Security.
-Mohammed bin Nasser bin Abdullatif Al-Manna is promoted to a post of Legal Advisor (rank 14) at the Supreme Court.
The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda, including an annual report of the former Ministry of Civil Service for a previous fiscal year. In this regard, the Cabinet took relevant recommendations.