NEOM — Saudi Arabia's Cabinet on Tuesday lauded the efficiency of the air defense system in confronting and thwarting missile and drone attacks carried out by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militia. In a virtual session chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the Cabinet said these attacks targeting civilians and civilian facilities in the Kingdom in a deliberate and systematic manner violate international laws and customary rules, reiterating the Kingdom's condemnation and denunciation of these hostile and terrorist acts. At the outset of the session, the members of the Cabinet congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on the success of the surgery the Crown Prince has undergone, thanking Allah the Almighty for the health bestowed on him. Then, the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the contents of the telephone call he had with US President Joseph Biden. During the call, both leaders confirmed the deep-rooted ties binding the two countries and underscored the importance of enhancing the partnership between them in what serves their joint interests and achieves the security and stability of the region and the world. In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi pointed out that the Cabinet considered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leading ranking for the second year in a row in the World Bank's Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2021 report, and its ranking among the leading countries at the Middle East and North Africa level, as a result of the care of the leadership as well as a contribution of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to supporting the implementation of legislative reforms of the systems and regulations aiming at enhancing the role of women in the economic development and raising the Kingdom's competitiveness regionally and internationally. The Cabinet reviewed developments related to the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) at the local and international levels, and statistics and indicators related to the virus, with continued fluctuation in the curve of cases in the Kingdom. The Cabinet also reviewed a set of reports on new vaccination centers in various regions, and the continuous evaluation of preventive measures. The Cabinet stressed on citizens and residents to remain committed and adherent to the precautionary measures and abide by the instructions issued by the concerned authorities in this regard. The Cabinet was briefed on the issues on its agenda, including some co-studied by the Shoura Council. The Cabinet issued the following decisions: 1. The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance — or his representative — to discuss and sign a draft of the memorandum of understanding in the field of Islamic affairs, between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance of Saudi Arabia, and the Islamic Sheikhdom of Croatia. 2. The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Media, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Broadcasting Authority — or his representative — to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the radio and television field, between Saudi Broadcasting Authority and the Korean KBS World, within the framework of the Saudi-Korean Joint Committee. 3. The Cabinet approved the agreement between the government of Saudi Arabia and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to establish the Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Public Education as one of the second category centers under the auspices of UNESCO. 4. Transforming the Saudi Center for Diseases Prevention and Control to a general authority named Public Health Authority and approving its organizational arrangements. 5. Amending the organization of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), issued by Cabinet Resolution No. (235) dated 27/8/1422, as stated in the Resolution. 6. The Cabinet approved the final accounts of the Saudi Export Development Authority and Saudi Railways Organization for two previous fiscal years. 7. The Cabinet approved adding of a representative of each of the Ministry of Education and from the Ministry of Health to the Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons at the Human Rights Commission. 8.: The Cabinet approved a number of promotions at the 14th and 15th ranks. The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda and took relevant recommendations.
