The Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman here on Tuesday, has approved an amendment to the administrative lists of specific government entities, including authorities, institutions, centers, programs, and similar bodies. These entities, which operate under their own labor systems and regulations, will now ensure that the official holidays for both Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha extend to a minimum of four working days, with the possibility of extending up to five working days. The Cabinet reviewed the recent talks between Saudi Arabia and several other countries, including the phone call received by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman from the prime minister of Canada. The Cabinet tackled various reports on regional and international developments, and reaffirmed the Kingdom's steadfast position vis-à-vis these developments. The Cabinet emphasized the need to de-escalate and prevent the spread of violence, given its significant impact on regional and global security and peace. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency after the session, Minister of Media Salman Bin Yousef Al-Dosari said that the Cabinet reviewed the outcome of international conferences and meetings hosted by the Kingdom which are proof of its commitment to staying abreast of developments, utilizing capabilities and resources, and lending support to development programs across various sectors. The Cabinet commended the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for its efforts in organizing the "Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition", which aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 by fostering innovative and sustainable solutions that ensure constant development and offer superior services to visitors to the two Holy Mosques. The Cabinet commended the outcome of the 3rd Future Minerals Forum, which brought together 133 countries during which 75 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed in various related fields by a number of government agencies, companies and institutions from the Kingdom and abroad. The Cabinet also mentioned the positive indicators of the Kingdom's economy, the continued decline of inflation, which reached 1.5% in December, and the fact that it is stable compared to that of the G20 countries, which is testimony to the effectiveness of the measures taken to deal with rising global prices. The Cabinet authorized the minister of energy to discuss and sign with the UN Environment Program a draft memorandum of understanding. It approved a memorandum of understanding to establish, together with the Republic of Korea, a Strategic Partnership Council. The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding to establish the Saudi-Polish Coordination Council, and authorizing the minister of foreign affairs to sign it. It authorized the minister of environment, water and agriculture to discuss and sign with the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality a draft memorandum of understanding regarding the adoption and localization of innovations and advanced technologies in the sector. The Cabinet authorized the minister of industry and mineral resources to discuss and sign with the Indian Ministry of Textiles a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of textile industry. It approved a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority and the Anti-Corruption Commission in the Republic of Maldives to prevent and combat corruption. The Cabinet approved the Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization, Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, and authorized the minister of foreign affairs to sign the Protocol Amending the agreement and authorizing the minister of commerce and chairman of the board of directors of the General Authority of Foreign Trade, or a deputy, to complete the negotiation on the additional provisions of the agreement. The Cabinet authorized the president of the State Security to continue discussions with the Counter Terrorism Center of Hungary regarding a draft memorandum of understanding regarding combating terrorism and its funding, and sign the memorandum. It authorized the governor of the Saudi Central Bank to hold talks and sign with the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkiye a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of central bank undertakings. The Cabinet approved granting a license to the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank to open branches in Saudi Arabia.— SPA
