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 today in AlUla.
 The Cabinet was briefed on the content of HRH the Crown Prince's phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, which addressed bilateral relations and explored ways to strengthen cooperation.
 The Cabinet deemed the establishment of the Saudi-Singapore Strategic Partnership Council and the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-Thai Coordination Council as significant milestones in fostering global partnerships. These initiatives aim to strengthen bilateral cooperation, aligning with shared interests and objectives.
 In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary highlighted the Cabinet's review of recent regional and international developments. The Cabinet extended congratulations to President Donald J. Trump on his inauguration and acknowledged the distinguished Saudi-US relations.
 The Cabinet expressed hope that the Gaza Strip ceasefire agreement would contribute to ending the Israeli aggression and addressing the root causes of the conflict. This includes enabling the Palestinian people to obtain their rights, namely the establishment of an independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
 The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of several international conferences hosted by the Kingdom. It commended the visionary initiatives and projects presented at the Hajj Conference and Exhibition, which highlighted the Kingdom's commitment to serving pilgrims to the two holy mosques. This commitment was exemplified by welcoming over 18 million international pilgrims and Umrah performers in 2024. The Kingdom continuously strives to improve the quality of services for all visitors.
 Al-Dossary said the Cabinet acknowledged the significant global participation in the fourth Future Minerals Forum. This included the signing of 126 agreements and memoranda of understanding valued at SAR107 billion, as well as impactful launches set to stimulate domestic and international sector growth.
 The Cabinet reviewed key performance indicators across various sectors. It commended the agricultural sector for achieving high self-sufficiency rates in numerous products and crops. The Cabinet also acknowledged the remarkable achievements and record-breaking progress in water sector projects, enhancing the effectiveness of strategies and programs to achieve food and water security and sustainable development.
 The Cabinet tackled other items on its agenda and issued several decisions, among which the following:
 First:
 Authorizing the minister of sport, or a deputy, to discuss and sign with the Italian side a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the sports field between the Saudi Ministry of Sport and the Department for Sport of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic.
 Second:
 Authorizing the minister of interior, or a deputy, to discuss and sign with the Chinese side a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in civil defense and civil protection between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the People's Republic of China.
 Third:
 Approving a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in Islamic affairs between the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance and the Committee on Religion, Regulation of Traditions and Ceremonies under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
 Fourth:
 Authorizing the minister of environment, water, and agriculture, or a deputy, to discuss and sign with the Mongolian side a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of nature reserves between the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and the Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
 Fifth:
 Authorizing the minister of health, or a deputy, to sign a draft cooperation agreement between the Saudi Ministry of Health and the World Economic Forum in the field of virtual health.
 Sixth:
 Authorizing the minister of commerce and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization, or a deputy, to discuss and sign with the Chinese side a draft memorandum of understanding between the organization and the State Administration for Market Regulation in China for cooperation in the field of conformity assessment.
 Seventh:
 Authorizing the minister of finance and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority, or a deputy, to sign a draft agreement between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the State of Kuwait on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters.
 Eighth:
 Approving a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Broadcasting Authority and the Bahraini Ministry of Information for cooperation in the field of radio and television.
 Ninth:
 Approving a memorandum of cooperation in the field of intellectual property between the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property and the State Agency for Intellectual Property and Innovation under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic.
 Tenth:
 Authorizing the president of the General Court of Audit, or a deputy, to hold talks and sign with Belarus a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in accounting, control, and professional work between the General Court of Audit in Saudi Arabia and the State Control Committee in Belarus.
 Eleventh:
 Authorizing the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Fund for Development, or a deputy, to hold talks and sign with Italy a draft memorandum of cooperation regarding development cooperation between the Saudi Fund for Development and the Italian Deposits and Loans Fund.
 Twelfth:
 Approving a memorandum of cooperation between Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University and the Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation.