The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session held on Tuesday afternoon at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the content of the letter he sent to the Emir of the State of Kuwait and the letter he received from the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, relating to the relations that bind the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the two countries and ways to support and enhance them in various fields. The Cabinet addressed all recent meetings and talks that took place between Saudi officials and their counterparts in a number of countries with the aim of advancing joint relations to broader horizons and strengthening cooperation with the international community and its bodies and organizations in all that would contribute to achieving development, prosperity and peace worldwide. The Cabinet, in this regard, renewed what the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirmed during its participation in the 9th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, held in the city of Fez, the Kingdom of Morocco. The Cabinet affirmed Saudi Arabia's firm support for efforts spreading the culture of dialogue and building bridges of communication between different cultures, and its interest in promoting harmony and coexistence among peoples for a world where security and stability prevail. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Minister of State, Cabinet's Member for Shura Council Affairs and Acting Minister of Media Dr. Essam bin Saad bin Saeed said that the Cabinet considers the election of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as Chairman of the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) a translation of its influential role in the multilateral international action and the recognition that Saudi Arabia enjoys at the global level in this field with its contributions and initiatives aimed at developing a global, sustainable and comprehensive tourism sector. At the local level, the Cabinet praised the announcement of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister on the masterplan for King Salman International Airport, which will boost Riyadh's position as a global logistics hub, stimulate transport, trade and tourism, and act as a bridge linking the East with the West, contributing to Saudi Arabia's vision to transform Riyadh to be among the top ten city economies in the world. The Cabinet affirmed the keenness and attention the state attaches to the comprehensive development of all regions and cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including work to improve the quality of life, basic services and infrastructure, increase their contribution to the gross domestic product through developing economic and tourism activities, provide more job opportunities for citizens, and maximize the use of their comparative and investment advantages in accordance with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 programs. The Cabinet reviewed performance indicators of the Saudi economy during the third quarter of 2022 and the 13.1% increase in non-oil exports compared to the same period last year, in addition to the efforts and initiatives that would enhance the competitiveness of the local product in the regional and international markets. The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda and issued the following decisions: First: Authorizing HRH Chairman of the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – or a deputy – to hold talks with the Czech side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding on exchanging information and technical cooperation related to nuclear regulation between the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State Office for Nuclear Safety in the Czech Republic, sign it and refer the final signed draft to proceed with formal procedures. Second: Approving a draft memorandum of understanding to protect data and information exchanged in joint security projects between the Ministry of Interior in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Interior in the United Arab Emirates. Third: Authorizing the Minister of Foreign Affairs – or a deputy – to hold talks with the Dominican side regarding a draft general agreement on cooperation between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the Dominican Republic, sign it and refer the final signed draft to proceed with formal procedures. Fourth: Approving the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, and authorizing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, or a deputy, to sign a relevant protocol. Fifth: Approving the elevation of the level of chairmanship of the Saudi-Argentine Joint Committee to the level of minister to be headed by the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture. Sixth: Authorizing the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation – or a deputy – to sign a draft agreement of air services between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of Chile, sign it and refer the final signed draft to proceed with formal procedures. Seventh: Authorizing Chairman of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission – or a deputy – to hold talks with the Kuwaiti side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between the Education and Training Evaluation Commission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the National Bureau for Academic Accreditation and Education Quality Assurance in Kuwait, sign it and refer the final signed draft to proceed with formal procedures. Eighth: Establishing a center to be named (the national center for transport safety) according to its regulations. Ninth: Approving to extend the contract of the Saudi Public Transport Company from February 3, 2022 to December 31, 2023, or until the completion of operation in all regions according to the new contracts (whichever comes first). Tenth: Renewing the membership of Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Ramzi Adas, Munir bin Fahd Al-Sahli and Dr. Mohammed bin Faraj Al-Zahrani – as specialists and experienced members at the Environment Fund – as members of the fund's Board of Directors. Eleventh: Approving promotions to the 15th and 14th ranks. The Cabinet also reviewed several issues on its agenda and took necessary procedures regarding them.
