HRH the Crown Prince Chairs Cabinet Session
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held in Riyadh today.
At the beginning of the session, HRH the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the content of the phone call he received from Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani and on his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Following the Cabinet session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary told the Saudi Press Agency that the Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's recent participation in international meetings. This is a testimony to Saudi Arabia's commitment to strengthening partnerships and expanding cooperation in all fields to support multilateral efforts for development, prosperity, and addressing global challenges.
The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's stance expressed at the BRICS Plus 2024 Summit, emphasizing its rejection of escalation in the region. It highlighted the severe threat posed by the ongoing Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip to both regional and international security and underscored the urgency of an immediate ceasefire, the necessity of unhindered humanitarian aid, and a firm commitment to achieving lasting peace.
The Cabinet expressed hope that the first high-level meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, to be held on Wednesday in Riyadh, will lead to practical steps supporting UN efforts and peace initiatives and establish a timeline for the realization of an independent Palestinian state and the end of occupation.
The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's emphasis during the International Conference in Support of Lebanon's People and Sovereignty regarding the necessity of collective assistance for Lebanon in facing its current crisis, mitigating its humanitarian consequences, and aiding the Lebanese state institutions in fulfilling their constitutional duties to establish sovereignty over all of Lebanon's territories.
Furthermore, during a conference hosted by the Kingdom, the Cabinet expressed its appreciation for the pledges of countries and donor entities to provide financial and in-kind contributions to support displaced people and refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad region. The conference hosting is part of Saudi Arabia's keenness to respond to all efforts serving humanitarian causes and assisting affected and devastated communities worldwide.
The Cabinet welcomed the participants in the 8th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII8) conference, which commenced in Riyadh on Tuesday under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The Cabinet looks forward to the conference contributing to enhancing efforts to achieve economic stability and just development, combat climate change globally, and address issues related to artificial intelligence, innovation, and health.
The Cabinet highlighted the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed during the Energy Localization Forum involving 117 entities from the public and private sectors. The deals, totalling around SAR104 billion, aim to enhance localization efforts in the energy sector and develop human capital.
Additionally, the Cabinet commended the outcomes of the Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum (MIPF) organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The Cabinet underlined discussions during the forum on the role of industrial policies in enhancing industrial integration between countries, empowering global supply chains, encouraging entrepreneurship, and leveraging modern and emerging technologies.
The Cabinet lauded the recent launches and agreements worth more than SAR55 billion announced at the Global Health Exhibition held in Riyadh, which aim to invest in the latest global technologies, strengthen international partnerships, localize pharmaceutical industries, and support research and development, showcasing the Kingdom's leadership in the health sector.
Additionally, the Cabinet valued the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of the inaugural Global Corporate Social Responsibility Forum. It commended the forum for facilitating the signing of memoranda of understanding and discussions expected to open new horizons for sustainable social development, further enhancing the Kingdom's achievements in this area.
The Cabinet tackled other items on its agenda and issued several decisions, among which the following:
First:
Approving a memorandum of understanding for political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of San Marino.
Second:
Authorizing the minister of commerce and chairman of the board of directors of the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, or a deputy, to negotiate with representatives from Bahrain, Qatar, and Estonia regarding draft memoranda of understanding and cooperation between the authority and the Labor Fund in Bahrain, the Qatar Development Bank, and the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, aimed at developing the small and medium enterprises sector, fostering start-ups, and promoting entrepreneurship.