The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Prime Minister, chaired on Tuesday the Cabinet's virtual session. At the outset of the meeting, the Cabinet was briefed on the contents of the talks and meetings that took place in the past few days between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a number of countries to enhance bilateral relations, develop aspects of joint cooperation in various fields, support international efforts aiming to achieve sustainable economic and social development and consolidate the values of harmony, world peace and humanitarian action. The Cabinet was also briefed on the activities and outcomes of the participation of the Kingdom's delegation to the meetings of the G20 held in the Italian city of Trieste, during which the role of technical and digital transformation and the innovation process in the Kingdom was highlighted in front of the major world economies, in addition to the Kingdom's efforts to stimulate entrepreneurship, support the research and development system, as well as investment in academic programs, degrees and certificates in advanced digital skills, IT and communications, cybersecurity, data science and artificial intelligence. The Cabinet considered the Kingdom's winning the third rank globally and first at Arab level among major humanitarian aid donors and topping the largest supporter of Yemen, according to data revealed by the United Nations Financial Tracking Service (FTS), as reflecting the deep-rooted values and firm principles of the Kingdom and its people based on the teachings of Islam, and translating its glorious history of standing by the side of the needy peoples and countries across the world. The Cabinet also reviewed a set of issues including the latest developments at the regional and international scenes, reiterating the Kingdom's solidarity with the Lebanese people at times of crises and challenges. The Cabinet also lauded the Kingdom's assertion during its delegation's participation in the 'Conference in Support of the Lebanese People' that any assistance to be provided to the current or future government depends on its carrying out serious and tangible reforms, and ensuring that the aid reaches those who deserve it, and evading the mechanisms that enable the corrupt to control the fate of Lebanon. The Cabinet affirmed the Kingdom's keenness to sponsor initiatives that promote peaceful coexistence and civilized dialogue in the Arab and Islamic nation and the world at large. This came as the Cabinet was briefed on the recommendations of the Forum of the Iraqi Religious References, which was held in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, at an invitation of the Muslim World League, praising the efforts being exerted by the Kingdom under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and HRH the Crown Prince in serving Islam, Muslims and all humanity. The Forum stressed the need to enhance the channels of dialogue and communication among scholars in Iraq to address emerging issues and spread common values to build their country and achieve citizenship. The Cabinet was briefed on the latest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic locally and internationally, as well as the latest continuing assessment reports of the health conditions in the Kingdom in light of the trends in the curves recorded by statistics and indicators. The Cabinet called on all citizens and residents to continue adhering to precautionary and preventive measures, and taking the two doses of the vaccine to keep safe against the virus and its mutations. The Cabinet reviewed a number of topics on its agenda, including some co-studied by the Shura Council. The Cabinet was also briefed on the results of studies concluded by each of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, the Council of Political and Security Affairs, the General Committee of the Cabinet, and the Cabinet's Bureau of Experts. The Cabinet issued the following decisions: First: The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of hydrogen between the Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy of the Federal Republic of Germany. Second: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Culture, or his representative, to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of culture between the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Greece. Third: The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding regarding the Tourism Community Initiative between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represented by the Ministry of Tourism, the World Tourism Organization, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the World Bank. Fourth: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, or his representative, to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), to promote the dissemination of technical awareness and enrich the technical Arabic content. Fifth: The Cabinet approved a partnership agreement between the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the World Council on City Data to establish, manage, and operate the local data center for the city of Riyadh. Sixth: The Cabinet appointed two members - representatives from the private sector - in the Board of Trustees of the Prince Sultan Defense Studies and Research Center. Seventh: The University Affairs Council is responsible for coordinating between public and private universities that have emergency medicine major, equipped facilities, cadres, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority and the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, to prepare rehabilitation programs in the emergency medicine major with a diploma degree and grant a certificate of emergency medical technician. Eighth: The Cabinet approved the waste management system. Ninth: The Cabinet renewed three memberships and appointed one as members of highly qualified and experienced members in the areas of regulations or economic activities, in the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Competition. Tenth: The Cabinet approved the rules for regulating free and open-source government software. Eleventh: The Cabinet approved the amendments of subparagraph (A) of Paragraph (5) of Item (First) of the working mechanism of the Real Estate Contributions Committee, to be as stated in the decision. Twelfth: The Cabinet approved the final accounts of the Saudi Grains Organization, the Islamic University in Madinah, and the Saudi Ports Authority, for a previous fiscal year. Thirteenth: 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.
