The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet's virtual session today. At the outset of the session, the Cabinet reviewed the recent meetings and talks that took place between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a number of countries with the aim of developing cooperation relations in different fields and enhancing joint coordination regarding international issues. This includes the letter the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques received from Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, and the phone call His Royal Highness the Crown Prince received from Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom. The Cabinet expressed appreciation for the global welcome and praise for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's initiatives and efforts in the field of environment and climate change, especially its determination to reach zero carbon emissions by 2060. In this regard, the Cabinet reiterated what Saudi Arabia stressed before the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirmed commitment to its leading role in enhancing the security and stability of global energy markets, in light of the development and application of techniques required for managing and reducing emissions. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi said that the Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the interior ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States' 38th meeting, confirming the importance of strengthening the joint Gulf security work through more cooperation and coordination in order to continue the process of construction and prosperity and achieve a safer and more advanced life for the citizens, residents and expatriates of the GCC states. Then, the Cabinet touched upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's participations in the Paris Peace Forum and the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Saudi Arabia affirmed commitment to cooperation and closer multilateral action to provide effective solutions to common challenges between countries and contribute to spreading world peace and building bridges of communication to achieve the sustainable development goals. The Cabinet reviewed a number of reports on the latest regional and international developments, including the statement issued by permanent members of the Security Council to Yemen. They condemned the Houthi cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia. They stressed the need for de-escalation, including an immediate end to the escalation in Marib. They also called on all Yemeni parties to engage in genuine dialogue in order to reach a comprehensive political solution to end the crisis in Yemen and alleviate the humanitarian suffering of its people. In this regard, the Cabinet reiterated Saudi Arabia's welcome of the UN Security Council's inclusion of three leaders of the Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militia on the sanctions list for their direct threat to peace, security and stability in Yemen, expressing hope that this decision will contribute to putting an end to its actions and supporters and neutralizing its danger from the Yemeni people, neighboring countries and international navigation. The Cabinet followed developments in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, reiterating the Kingdom's call for all parties to cease fire, stop all military and hostile actions, return to dialogue and find peaceful solutions, provide protection for civilians, and allow humanitarian organizations to provide relief and humanitarian assistance for civilians. The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda and issued the following decisions: First: Authorizing the Minister of Energy – or a deputy – to hold talks with the Chinese side on a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Energy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the National Energy Administration in China in the field of hydrogen energy and signing it, before referring the final signed copy to proceed with formal procedures. Second: Authorizing the Minister of Foreign Affairs – or a deputy – to hold talks with the French side on a draft memorandum of understanding on political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Foreign Ministry in France, before referring the final signed copy to proceed with formal procedures. Third: Authorizing the Minister of Health – or a deputy – to hold talks and sign a draft agreement between the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the World Economic Forum to enhance healthcare. Fourth: Authorizing President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission – or a deputy – to hold talks on a draft memorandum of understanding regarding technical cooperation between the Saudi Human Rights Commission and the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and sign it before referring the final signed copy to proceed with formal procedures. Fifth: Amending Items (Fifth) on forming the National Committee for Narcotics Control, item (Eighth) on the Committee meetings, and Item (Eleventh) on forming a preparatory committee for the committee in the Bylaw of the National Committee for Narcotics Control, which was issued under a Cabinet Decision No. 119 on 17/4/1430 Hijri. Sixth: Approving operating rule of the permanent committee to accredit health check-up of inbound workforce. Seventh: Extending the (nine-month period) mentioned in Paragraph (3) of Item (Second) from the Royal Decree No. (m/165) dated 19/11/1441 Hijri for extra nine months, which includes that all who practice any environmental activities and activities with environmental sanitation have to rectify their status in a way that accords with the Environment Bylaw – after it goes into force – within three years of the enforcement of the bylaw. Eighth: Allowing government institutions to use shared income to be one of the reasons of contracting to secure goods and services. Ninth: Accrediting the two final accounts for the Taibah University and King Khalid University for two previous fiscal years. Tenth: The Cabinet approved a number of promotions at 15 rank. The Cabinet also reviewed a number of general topics on its agenda and took the necessary measures regarding these topics.
