The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session held at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh today. At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the outcomes of discussions held with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain, as the discussions reflected the depth of existing relations between the two countries and keenness to develop them in all fields. The discussions also emphasized unity and the common destiny towards all regional and international issues and developments. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques also briefed the Cabinet on the content of the two letters he received from Interim President of the Republic of Mali and President the Republic of Benin. The Cabinet then addressed the content of two phone calls that HRH the Crown Prince received from President of Russian Federation and President of Ukraine, during which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's support for everything that contributes to de-escalating the crisis was affirmed as well as its readiness to exert efforts to mediate between all parties and its support for all international efforts aimed at resolving the crisis politically. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi said that the Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Cyprus to Saudi Arabia and talks held with HRH the Crown Prince, where the two sides expressed satisfaction with the reached level in bilateral relations and the common desire to work on developing a strategy with the aim of strengthening cooperation in all fields in a way that serves the interests of both countries and achieves security and stability in the region. The Cabinet applauded the contents of the interview of HRH the Crown Prince, as the interview highlighted the development, modernization, reforms and major projects that the Kingdom is witnessing within the programs of the Saudi Vision 2030, according to its economic and cultural components, its people and history. This is in addition to assuming its historical responsibility towards the Islamic world by confronting extremism and terrorism and continuing to strengthen bilateral cooperation and strategic partnerships with countries of the world on the basis of mutual respect and common interests. The Cabinet reviewed the meetings of 39th session of the Arab Interior Ministers Council in Tunisia, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's speech that stressed the importance of cooperation and exerting efforts to intensify joint coordination in a comprehensive technical and human system maintaining security and stability in the region and keeping pace with the fields of technology and cybersecurity. The Cabinet reiterated the content of the Kingdom's speech delivered at the high-level meeting of the 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia confirmed interest in human rights and keenness to take all necessary steps that would enhance and protect human rights, citing the initiative of HRH the Crown Prince, to protect children in the cyberspace, to confront cyber threats targeting children on the Internet, and the issuance of the national policy to prevent child labor. The Cabinet commended the launch of the Strategy of the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program, which is a part of the Kingdom's efforts to develop human capabilities and enhance Saudi competitiveness locally and globally within the framework of Vision 2030 objectives and in alignment with its priorities, programs, and the evolving labor market needs. The Cabinet affirmed that lifting the precautionary and preventive measures related to combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a result of the gains achieved in combating the pandemic, then to the unlimited support of the wise leadership, and effective national efforts from all sides, and progress in the national vaccination program and the high rates of immunization and immunity against the virus in the community. The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda and issued the following decisions: First: Authorizing the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance – or a deputy – to hold talks regarding drat memorandums of understanding between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and each of: Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the Republic of Gabon, Islamic Association in CongoBrazzaville, and High Council for Islamic Affairs in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, in the field of Islamic affairs, sign them and refer the final signed copies to proceed with formal procedures. Second: Approving a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Third: Authorizing the Minister of Investment – or a deputy – to hold talks with the Cypriot side regarding a draft framework cooperation program to enhance bilateral relations in the investment field between the Ministry of Investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Investment Commission in the Republic of Cyprus, and sign it. Fourth: Authorizing the Minister of Finance – or a deputy – to hold talks with the Egyptian side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Finance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Finance in the Arab Republic of Egypt on holding a high-level financial dialogue, sign it and refer the final signed copy to proceed with formal procedures. Fifth: Authorizing the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Space Commission – or a deputy – to hold talks with the Italian side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Space Commission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Italian Space Agency for cooperation in space activities for peaceful purposes, sign it and refer the final signed copy to proceed with formal procedures. Sixth: Authorizing the President of the General Court of Audit – or a deputy – to hold talks with the Azeri side regarding a memorandum of understanding between the General Court of Audit in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Chamber of Auditors in the Republic of Azerbaijan on cooperation in accounting, monitoring and professional work, sign it and refer the final signed copy to proceed with formal procedures. Seventh: Approving the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's accession to Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals issued on November 8, 1968. Eighth: Approving the Personal Status Bylaw. Ninth: Approving organizational arrangements for the committee to determine and develop investment opportunities emanating from the Higher National Committee for Investment at the Council of Economic and Development Affairs Tenth: Amending the Protection from Abuse Bylaw, issued under Royal Decree No. (M/52) on 15/11/1434 Hijri, and amending Children Protection Bylaw, issued under Royal Decree No. (M/14) on 2/3/1436 Hijri as mentioned in the decision. Eleventh: Renewing the membership of Dr. Abdullah bin Mifreh Al-Rouqi of presidents of Saudi universities (President of the Tabuk University), Dr. Abdullah bin Yahya Al Muhayya as specialist and expert in e-education, Khalid bin Suleiman Al-Moheisen from the private sector, and appointing Dr. Inas bint Suleiman Al-Issa (president of the Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University), Prof. Lilac bint Ahmad Al-Safadi of presidents of Saudi universities (President of the Saudi Electronic University), and Dr. Khalid bin Hussein Muwakili as specialist and expert in e-education, as members of the National E-learning Center. Twelfth: Approving a bylaw amending some provisions of the bylaw of patents for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States, which was accredited by the Supreme Council of GCC in its 41st session. Thirteenth: Approving promotions at the fifteenth and fourteenth ranks. The Cabinet also reviewed several issues mentioned on its agenda and took necessary procedures regarding them.
