Riyadh, SPA:
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session held at Al-Yamamah Palace here yesterday.
The Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's progress among 190 Economies in the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law 2020 Report ranking it as the top reformer and top improver among 190 countries around the world, placing the Kingdom first among GCC countries and second in the Arab world. The Cabinet added that that this comes as a result of legislative reforms of laws and regulations related to women, according to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 programs that contributed to supporting the implementation of those reforms, enhancing women's role in economic development, and raising the Kingdom's competitiveness regionally and globally.
The Minister of Media, Turki bin Abdullah Al-Shabanah, pointed out in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency after the session that the Cabinet reviewed a number of reports on latest developments on regional and international arenas, stressing that the Kingdom is following with great interest current developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region and expressing its keenness on security and stability there and its full support for the sovereignty of Cyprus over its territories. The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's calling on all parties to abide by Security Council resolutions to resolve conflicts, to serve international peace, security and stability in this region.
The Minister of Media stated that the Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom's assertion during the fourth session of the Arab Parliament held in Cairo that its policy is based on the principles of peaceful coexistence and good neighborliness, full respect for the sovereignty and independence of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and its belief that these principles are capable of resolving all conflicts, foremost the Arab-Israeli conflict. The Cabinet also reviewed the Kingdom's great attention to the Palestinian cause as its first issue, the Kingdom's efforts to ensure access to political solutions to crises in Syria, Yemen, Libya and Sudan, calling on all to take serious action to address all destabilizing foreign threats and interventions and to move forward towards the aspirations of security, stability and development of Arab countries and their peoples.
On regional affairs, the Cabinet praised the Order of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to set an earlier date of the tests for the second semester of the current academic year 1441AH, which reflects his interest in students in all stages of education, and his concern for all what contributes to a positive impact on the results of education and the level of performance in the tests, achieves the public interest for students and their parents, and gives them an opportunity to continue with their academic pursuit.
The Cabinet stressed the Kingdom's strong condemnation and denunciation of the attack that targeted a military site in Niger, the bombing of a security checkpoint and a tax collection center in Somalia, and the terrorist attack carried out by the Houthi militia on a mosque in the Ma'rib Governorate, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries, expressing the Kingdom's condolences to the families of the victims and the governments and peoples of those countries, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
The Cabinet issued the following decisions:
First:
The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Foreign Affairs - or his deputy - to sign a draft protocol on establishing diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Zimbabwe at the level of (Ambassador).
Second:
The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding in the field of social development between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the Republic of Tunisia.
A royal decree has been prepared.
Third:
The Cabinet approved an agreement between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of Georgia in the field of air transport services.
A royal decree has been prepared.
Fourth:
The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding for scientific and technical cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Spain.
A royal decree has been prepared in this regard.
Fifth:
The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding for scientific and geological cooperation between the Saudi Geological Survey and the Russian State Geological Company.
A royal decree has been prepared in this regard.
Sixth:
The Cabinet approved the Voluntary Work System.
A royal decree has been prepared in this regard.
Seventh:
The Cabinet approved the transfer of the competence to regulate dry gas and liquid petroleum gas distribution activity for residential and commercial purposes from the Electricity & Co-generation Regulatory Authority (ECRA) to the Ministry of Energy.
Eighth:
The Cabinet approved the addition of a new paragraph (paragraph 3) to the eleventh article of the Premium Residency System.
A royal decree has been prepared in this regard.
Ninth:
The Cabinet approved the amendment of the system of private health institutions, by amending paragraph (2) of the second article.
A royal decree has been prepared in this regard.
Tenth:
The Cabinet approved the amendment of Article (25) of the civil service system.
A royal decree has been prepared in this regard.
Eleventh:
The Cabinet approved an appointment and promotions at 14th and 15th ranks as follows:
1- Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammad Al-Aqil is appointed to a post of legal advisor (15th rank) at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance.
2- Abdullah bin Ibrahim bin Mohammad Al-Ghumlas is promoted to a post of revenue advisor (15th rank) at the Ministry of Finance.
3- Khalil bin Othman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thabet is promoted to a post of administrative advisor (15th rank) at the Ministry of Finance.
4- Mansour bin Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Bazei is promoted to a post of transportation advisor (15th rank) at the Ministry of Transport.
5- Khalid bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Sharihi tis promoted to a post of administrative advisor (15th rank) at the Ministry of Media.
6- Eng. Hamad bin Ibrahim bin Hassan Al-Hammad is promoted to a post of information technology advisor (15th rank) at the National Information Center.
7- Abdullah bin Fahd bin Nasser Al-Ahmad is promoted to a post of secretary general of the Court (14th rank) at the Supreme Court.
8- Saleh bin Suleiman bin Mohammad Al-Zabin is promoted to a post of head of sector (14th rank) at the Ministry of Finance.
9- Suleiman bin Saud bin Suleiman Al-Murjan is promoted to a post of director general of the General Accounts Department (14th rank) at the Ministry of Finance.
10- Saleh bin Nasser bin Ibrahim Al-Khazim is promoted to a post of budget advisor (14th rank) at the Ministry of Finance.
11- Wajdi bin Abdulraouf bin Arif Berri is promoted to a post of administrative consultant (14th rank) at the Ministry of Transport.
12- Eng. Saad bin Khadran bin Nuwaihi Al-Harbi is promoted to a post of director general of the Ministry’s Branch in Riyadh Region (14th rank) at the Ministry of Transport.
13- Mohammed bin Suleiman bin Abdullah Al-Jarallah is promoted to a post of legal adviser (14th rank) at the Supreme Judicial Council.
14- Waleed bin Abdurrahman bin Abdullah Al-Mahous is promoted to a post of administrative advisor (14th rank) at the Supreme Judicial Council.
15- Saad bin Eid bin Mohammad Al-Malki is promoted to a post of director general of administrative and financial affairs (14th rank) at the Public Prosecution.
The Cabinet reviewed a number of general topics on its agenda, including an annual report of the Saudi Customs for a previous fiscal year, and made appropriate recommendations in this regard.