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 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques extended thanks to the Shura Council for efforts exerted to fulfill the functions entrusted to it, reiterating the state's continued following of the approach, which is based on Islamic Sharia and takes the principle of Shura (consultation) as a method of governance since its establishment by late King Abdulaziz Al Saud. The Cabinet members in this regard applauded the content of the annual speech of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques at the inauguration of the works of the 2nd year of the 8th session of the Shura Council. The speech included a comprehensive vision that reflected the established principles to achieve the Kingdom's growth, prosperity and progress in different fields in accordance with the Saudi Vision 2030, as well as the Kingdom's foreign stances regarding political and economic conditions and current issues. This is in addition to Saudi Arabia's efforts to enhance peace and security in the region and the world and stand by the least income and afflicted countries as well as refugees and affected people. Then, the Cabinet reviewed the recent meetings and discussions that took place between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a number of countries with the aim of strengthening joint cooperation and working towards promoting and pushing relations to border areas. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi said that the Cabinet addressed a number of issues and developments in the region and the world as well as the international efforts exerted regarding these issues to enhance security, peace, stability and prosperity. The Cabinet followed the developments of the epidemiological situation on the Coronavirus and its mutated strains, a number of reports on the latest relevant statistics and indicators at both local and global levels, and the ongoing evaluation of the precautionary measures being taken to preserve the health and safety of citizens, residents and visitors of the Two Holy Mosques. The Cabinet reiterated the need to adhere to all preventive measures and complete receiving the doses of the vaccine as soon as possible. The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda and issued the following decisions: First: Authorizing the Minister of Media – or a deputy – to hold talks with the Iraqi side on a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Media in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Communication and Media Commission in the Republic of Iraq in the field of media cooperation, signing it and referring the final signed copy to proceed with formal procedures. Second: Approving a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Environment in Japan on cooperation in the environmental field. Third: Approving a memorandum of understanding between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the Sultanate of Oman on cooperation in encouraging investment. Fourth: Authorizing the Minister of Finance – or a deputy – to hold talks with the British side on a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Finance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Exchequer in the UK to enhance cooperation in the fields of developing financial services and general finance, signing it and referring the final signed copy to proceed with formal procedures. Fifth: Authorizing the President of the Islamic University – or a deputy – to hold talks with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on a draft memorandum of understanding between the Islamic University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, signing it and referring the final signed copy to proceed with formal procedures. Sixth: Approving a memorandum of understanding between Saline Water Conversion Corporation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Ufa State Petroleum Technological University in the Russian Federation to cooperate in the fields of water desalination and operating and maintaining pipelines. Seventh: Approving a bylaw on the rights of the elderly and their care. Eighth: The Ministry of Sports shall apply the provisions on the list of using municipal real estate, issued under the Royal Order No. 40152 dated 29/6/1441 Hijri on lands allocated for the benefit of the ministry, sports facilities affiliated with the ministry, and investment contracts of sports facilities and care affiliated with the ministry for a certain period of time. Ninth: Approving the organization of governance procedures to ban exportation and restricting it. Tenth: Appointing Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, Eng. Ahmad bin Abdulaziz Al-Haqbani, Lieutenant General Suleiman bin Abdullah Al-Amr, Dr. Saad bin Othman Al-Qasabi, and Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Dahham, as specialists in fields pertaining to the work of the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission to be members of the Board of Directors of the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission. Eleventh: Accrediting the final statement of the Saudi Human Resources Development Fund for a previous fiscal year. Twelfth: Approving a number of promotions at the 15th and 14th ranks. The Cabinet also reviewed a number of general topics on its agenda and took the necessary measures regarding these topics.
