The Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Tuesday in NEOM, considered the United Nations' announcement of the Kingdom hosting celebrations of World Environment Day 2024 as confirmation of its leading role both domestically and globally in environmental preservation and sustainability. The Cabinet added that this further solidifies the Kingdom's continuous efforts to support international environmental issues in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The Cabinet commended the establishment of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council under the umbrella of the Arab League, with its Secretariat General and Executive Office based in Riyadh. It was the outcome of a proposal put forth by the Kingdom, the Cabinet stated, and it reflects the country's dedication to bolstering collective Arab action and maximizing integration in this sector to further deepen collaboration in order to preserve security and stability. This furthers the goals and aspirations for a promising future for Arab nations. At the outset of the session, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques highlighted the Kingdom's 93rd National Day, which falls on Saturday, affirming that it reflects pride in the state's history and achievements. This occasion underscores the state's pride in its glorious and dignified accomplishments and the aspiration for a brighter and more prosperous future, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said, expressing gratitude and praise to Allah Almighty for bestowing security, stability, and national unity upon the country. During the session, the Cabinet was briefed on the content of the conversations that took place between the Kingdom and a number of countries over the past days, including two messages received by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Crown Prince and Prime Minister from the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran on means of enhancing Saudi-Iranian relations in various fields. In statements to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Minister of Media Salman Bin Yousef Al-Dosari said the Cabinet discussed the outcomes of the Kingdom's participation in the Group of 77 and China (G77+China) Summit in Cuba. During the summit, the Kingdom emphasized the importance that it attaches for working through a joint integrated approach to achieve prosperity and stability, Al-Dosari said. The Kingdom also stressed maintaining leadership in the humanitarian field, continuing efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, and taking the initiative to find solutions to various global challenges, the minister added. According to the minister of media, the Cabinet discussed recent developments in the regional and international arenas, including the Kingdom's efforts to aid people affected by the floods in Libya. The Cabinet said that the Kingdom's endeavors stem from its humanitarian role of providing relief to people in need and in distress due to natural disasters in various parts of the world. Domestically, the Cabinet stressed that the positive assessments from international financial institutions and credit-rating agencies of the Saudi economy reflect the prominent role of the economic and structural reforms implemented within the framework of the Kingdom Vision 2030. These reforms have contributed to supporting non-oil sector growth, maintaining fiscal sustainability, and preserving a balanced level of public debt, according to the Cabinet. The Cabinet highlighted the outcome of the Riyadh-hosted Cityscape Global Exhibition, which saw the launch of mega projects worth more than SR110 billion and which will contribute to the advancement of the real-estate sector and to the Kingdom reaching its developmental targets. The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Saudi Arabia and Oman, represented by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, in the energy field. It authorized the minister of energy to hold talks with the Spanish side on a draft memorandum of understanding to be signed between Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Spain in the energy field. The Cabinet authorized the minister of defense to hold talks with the British side on a draft agreement between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on mutual protection of classified data. It approved a memorandum of understanding between Saudi Arabia and Thailand on exempting holders of diplomatic and official passports from entry visa. The Cabinet authorized the minister of economy and planning to hold talks with the Portuguese side on a draft memorandum of understanding with the Portuguese Ministry of Economy and Maritime Affairs for cooperation in the economic field. It authorized the minister of transport and logistic services, chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to hold talks with the Maldivian side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding with Maldives Civil Aviation Authority in the field of water airports and seaplanes. The Cabinet authorized the chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Competition to hold talks with the Kuwaiti side regarding a draft memorandum of cooperation with the Competition Protection Agency in Kuwait in the field of competition protection. It authorized the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA) to hold talks on two draft MoUs with each of the International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence, and the Jozef Stefan Institute in Slovenia, in the areas of research, development, and innovation in artificial intelligence. The Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement between the Presidency of State Security and the State Security Service in Azerbaijan in the field of combating terrorist crimes and their financing. It approved a memorandum of understanding between the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts and the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage for cooperation in the field of traditional arts. — SPA
