ALULA — The Saudi Council of Ministers extended congratulations to Donald Trump on his inauguration as US President. The Cabinet session, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in AlUla on Tuesday, acknowledged the distinguished relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States of America. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary highlighted the Cabinet's review of recent regional and international developments. The Cabinet expressed hope that the Gaza Strip ceasefire agreement would contribute to ending the Israeli aggression and addressing the root causes of the conflict. This includes enabling the Palestinian people to obtain their rights, with the establishment of an independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. At the outset of the session, the Cabinet was briefed on the content of the Crown Prince's phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, which addressed bilateral relations and explored ways to strengthen cooperation. The Cabinet deemed the establishment of the Saudi-Singapore Strategic Partnership Council and the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-Thai Coordination Council as significant milestones in fostering global partnerships. These initiatives aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, aligning with shared interests and objectives. The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of several international conferences hosted by Saudi Arabia. It commended the visionary initiatives and projects presented at the Hajj Conference and Exhibition, which highlighted the Kingdom's commitment to serving pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques. This commitment was exemplified by welcoming over 18 million foreign Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in 2024. The Kingdom continuously strives to improve the quality of services for all visitors. Al-Dossary said the Cabinet acknowledged the significant global participation in the fourth Future Minerals Forum. This included the signing of 126 agreements and memoranda of understanding valued at SR107 billion, as well as impactful launches set to stimulate domestic and international sector growth. The Cabinet reviewed key performance indicators across various sectors. It commended the agricultural sector for achieving high self-sufficiency rates in numerous products and crops. The Cabinet also acknowledged the remarkable achievements and record-breaking progress in water sector projects, enhancing the effectiveness of strategies and programs to achieve food and water security and sustainable development. The Cabinet approved the National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor in Saudi Arabia. It endorsed the amendment of the two Cabinet decisions related to the requirements to be observed with regard to safe distances around gas stations, and the use and development of the surrounding lands. The Cabinet authorized the minister of sport or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Italian side a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the sports field between the Saudi Ministry of Sport and the Department for Sport of the Presidency of the Italian Council of Ministers. It authorized the minister of interior or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Chinese side a draft MoU for cooperation in civil defense and civil protection between the Saudi and Chinese governments. The Cabinet approved a MoU for cooperation in Islamic affairs between the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call, and Guidance and Tajikistan's Committee on Religion, Regulation of Traditions and Ceremonies. The Council authorized the minister of environment, water, and agriculture or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Mongolian side a draft MoU for cooperation in the field of nature reserves between the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and the Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Tourism, and authorized the minister of health or his deputy to sign a draft cooperation agreement between the Saudi Ministry of Health and the World Economic Forum in the field of virtual health. The Cabinet authorized the minister of commerce and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Chinese side a draft MoU between the organization and the State Administration for Market Regulation in China for cooperation in the field of conformity assessment. It authorized the minister of finance and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority, or his deputy to sign a draft agreement between the Saudi and Kuwaiti governments on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters. The Cabinet approved a MoU between the Saudi Broadcasting Authority and the Bahraini Ministry of Information for cooperation in the field of radio and television and another memorandum of cooperation in the field of intellectual property between the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property and the Kyrgyz State Agency for Intellectual Property and Innovation. The Council authorized the president of the General Court of Audit or his deputy to hold talks and sign with Belarus a draft MoU for cooperation in accounting, control, and professional work between the General Court of Audit in Saudi Arabia and the State Control Committee in Belarus, and authorized the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Fund for Development his deputy to hold talks and sign with Italy a draft memorandum of cooperation regarding development cooperation between the Saudi Fund for Development and the Italian Deposits and Loans Fund. The Cabinet approved a memorandum of cooperation between Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University and the Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation.
