RIYADH — The Council of Ministers emphasized that Saudi Arabia's announcement regarding provision of monthly financial support to Palestinians as well as medical and relief aid to the Lebanese people underscores its endeavor to address humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon under the current circumstances. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the weekly session of the Cabinet in Riyadh on Tuesday. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said that the Cabinet discussed the latest developments in the region and the world, as well as the outcomes of recent regional and international meetings. The Council hailed the Saudi delegation attending the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which delivered the Kingdom's unwavering principles and positions on Arab issues as well as on international peace and security, and its commitment to join efforts to address global challenges. The Cabinet welcomed the International Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, proposed by Saudi Arabia in partnership with the Joint Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee, Norway, and the European Union, and reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian State based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Cabinet reiterated the call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and all violations of international law, demanding accountability for those hindering peace efforts. Al-Dossary said the Cabinet highlighted the Kingdom's call to accelerate the reform of the UN Security Council so as to boost its credibility and efficiency. The call came in light of the escalating global conflicts and crises, the growing challenges, threats, and crisis of confidence in the international system's capacity to fulfill peoples' aspirations for a future of peace and development. The Council expressed the Kingdom's aspiration for active international participation in the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16), scheduled to be held in Riyadh in December. The Kingdom hopes that the event will mark a significant shift in the convention's trajectory, and serve as an important global platform for collaborative efforts to tackle major environmental challenges. The Cabinet deemed the Kingdom's unanimous victory in the elections for the presidency of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Agencies (GlobE Network) a reflection of the international community's appreciation for the Kingdom's efforts to combat transnational corruption, and for its continuous support for achieving international goals in this respect. At domestic level, the Cabinet praised the Crown Prince's announcement on the launch of the Riyadh Foundation, which reflects the state's efforts to support and develop institutional and social work, and consolidate the community's contribution to the implementation of the non-profit sector programs. The Cabinet reviewed the Pre-Budget Statement for Fiscal Year 2025, which emphasized the government's continuous promotion of spending directed at essential services for citizens and residents, and the execution of strategic projects meant to secure economic growth and achieve sustainable development. On World Teachers' Day, which falls on Saturday, October 5, the Cabinet expressed gratitude to teachers, who play an important role in the development of the educational sector, and to their efforts to build skills and capabilities, highlight national values, and effectively prepare competitive generations that lead to progress and innovation. The Cabinet took a number of decisions, and these included approval of the organizational regulations for temporary work visas for Hajj and Umrah services. The Council amended the Precious Metals and Gemstones Law. The Council authorized the minister of foreign affairs or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Romanian side a draft general cooperation agreement, in addition to authorizing the minister of environment, water, and agriculture or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources of Maldives a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of fisheries. The Council authorized the minister of investment or his deputy to sign with Egypt a draft agreement encouraging and protecting investments in the two countries, and the minister of finance, chairman of the board of directors of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority or his deputy to sign a draft agreement with Kosovo on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters. The Cabinet decision also includes authorizing the minister of industry and mineral resources and chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Geological Survey or his deputy to discuss and sign with Kuwait Geoscience Society a draft memorandum of understanding for technical and scientific geological cooperation.
