NEOM,SPA:
The Cabinet held here today its session via visual communication under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Prime Minister.
At the outset of the meeting, the Cabinet reviewed the local and international coronavirus-related developments as well as the latest developments of the anti-COVID-19 vaccines including the efforts being exerted to obtain it once it was officially accredited.
The Cabinet also reviewed the latest statistics recorded in the Kingdom, which witness dramatic reduction in terms of infections amid continuation of the control on the virus due to unlimited support offered by the prudent leadership of the country spurred by the community awareness and commitment of the preventive and precautionary measures.
The Cabinet also cited the United Nations general assembly’s 31st special session held to search ways of international response to COVID-19 and getting recovered from it, in which the Kingdom insisted on the importance of guaranteeing the access of all countries of the world to fair and cost-affordable vaccines, drafting recovery strategies and getting prepared to confront future pandemics and confirming the approach to remain committed to enhance collective action and cooperate with the UN to face worldwide challenges.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the meeting, Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, acting Minister of Media, explained that the Cabinet considered the Kingdom’s advanced ranking of G20 member states in a number of security-related indexes of the international competitiveness report 2019, as well as the sustainability development report 2020, overpassing the veto-holding countries of the UN security council, as it ranked first at the Arab level and 22nd worldwide in the international index for artificial intelligence, as new achievements that could be added to its historical achievements in view of its prudent policies which put as priority the security maintaining and enhancement in its inclusive concept as well as ascending to leadership in all fields.
The Cabinet was then briefed on the developments of incidents at the Arab, regional and international arenas, citing the outcomes of the meetings of the follow-up and political consultation committee between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The Cabinet also reviewed the contents of the final statement of the committee reflecting the coincidence of visions on a number of issues and crises facing the region and the world, confirming the two countries’ rejection of regional interference in internal affairs of Arab countries, including attempts to destabilize the region’s security and stability.
The Cabinet cited the importance of the Arab role including the role of the Arab League in solving the region’s crises within the relevant international resolutions and according to the principles of international law.
Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi stated that the Cabinet renewed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's stance towards the Palestinian cause, as it is a fundamental Arab issue, and has never hesitated to defend it since era of the founder, King Abdulaziz.
Dr. Al-Qasabi also confirmed that the Palestinian cause remains on the top of the issues supported by Saudi Arabia in its foreign policy, in addition to its commitment to support strategic choice for peace and adhere to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative in accordance with international resolutions and laws. On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the Cabinet emphasized that it is essential that the Israeli occupation stop building settlements on Palestinian territories, which is a flagrant violation of international law and an obstacle to achieving a permanent and comprehensive peace.
The Cabinet pointed out to the Kingdom's affirmation, during its participation in the Paris Conference to Support Lebanon and its People, on the need to achieve comprehensive political and economic reform in Lebanon, and to limit the external influence of regional parties seeking to spread destruction and instability in Lebanon and the Middle East.
The Cabinet reiterated its condemnation of the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia's continuation of launching missiles and drones towards the Kingdom, targeting civilians and civilian objects, systematically and deliberately, which is a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian laws.
The Cabinet reviewed the topics on its agenda, including topics that the Shura Council participated in studying.
The Cabinet also reviewed what the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, the Council of Political and Security Affairs, the General Committee of the Council of Ministers, and the Council of Experts in the Council of Ministers had concluded.
The Cabinet concluded the following:
First:
The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Tourism, or his representative, to discuss and sign with the Japanese side a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of tourism between the Ministry of Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Tourism Agency in Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Second:
The Cabinet approved the Aviation Sector Strategy.
Third:
The Cabinet approved an explanation of Article (38) of the Law of Commercial Papers, as indicated in the decision.
Fourth:
The Cabinet approved an updated comprehensive strategy of the Real Estate Sector and its executive summary.
Fifth:
The Cabinet approved a system for managing important financial institutions.
Sixth:
The Cabinet approved a strategy of the labor market.
Seventh: The Cabinet approved a number of promotions at the 15th and 14th ranks.
The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda and took relevant recommendations.