NEOM – BETH | 25 Safar 1447 AH (19 August 2025)

Session Brief

Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the Cabinet session in NEOM.
The Cabinet reviewed the Crown Prince’s calls with Mohamed bin Zayed (UAE), Lee Jae-myung (Republic of Korea), Giorgia Meloni (Italy), and a letter from Julius Maada Bio (Sierra Leone).

Foreign Policy & Positions

Palestine: Condemnation of the Israeli prime minister’s statements on the so-called “Greater Israel vision,” total rejection of settlement and expansion projects, and affirmation of the legal and historical right of the Palestinian people to an independent, sovereign state. The Cabinet called on the international community—especially the UNSC permanent members—to take immediate measures to halt violations.

Russia–Ukraine: Support for all diplomatic efforts toward a peaceful resolution, and a welcome of the two summits between U.S. President Donald Trump and Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the presence of European leaders.

Humanitarian work: On World Humanitarian Day, the Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom’s proud humanitarian legacy and its standing among the world’s top donor countries.

Domestic Affairs

Ahead of the new school year: recognition of curriculum development, professional upskilling for teachers, integration of AI, expansion of technical training, programs for gifted students, and learning environments that foster creativity and innovation.

Decisions & Approvals

Authorizing the Minister of Sports to discuss and sign an MoU with Spain in the field of sports.

Authorizing the Foreign Minister to discuss a Headquarters Agreement with the Secretariat of the Middle East Green Initiative.

Authorizing the Health Minister to discuss and sign a health MoU with Syria.

Approval of an MoU between Monsha’at and the SME Development Agency in Azerbaijan.

Authorizing the Finance Minister (Chair of ZATCA) to sign a customs cooperation and mutual assistance agreement with Kyrgyzstan.

Approval of a mutual customs assistance agreement with the United States.

Approval of an air services agreement with Grenada.

Authorizing the Tourism Minister (Chair of the Saudi Tourism Authority) to discuss and sign an MoU with Qatar Tourism on promotion and marketing.

Approval of a cooperation MoU between the National Center for Archives & Records and the National Archives (Maldives).

Authorizing the Chair of the Institute of Public Administration to discuss and sign an MoU with the Executive Education Center at UC Berkeley on training and administrative development.

Approval of the Handicrafts & Artisanal Industries Law.

Approval of operating rules for environmental coordination committees in development sectors.

Promotions & transfer (Grades 15 & 14):

Abdullah bin Aayed Al-Hazmi to (Senior Business Advisor), Grade 15, Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University.

Khalid bin Abdulrahman Al-Juraiss to (Business Advisor), Grade 14, Ministry of Energy.

Khalid bin Zaid Al-Tamimi transferred from the Experts Commission at the Council of Ministers and promoted to (Business Advisor), Grade 14, at the Cabinet General Secretariat.

The Cabinet also reviewed annual reports from several entities, including the General Authority for Defense Development, the National Risk Council, the Saudi Center for Economic Business, and the Global Academy of Tourism, and took the necessary actions.

Significance (Quick Read)

Diplomatic alignment: Clear messages on Palestine; pragmatic support for Ukraine peace tracks.

Partnership momentum: A suite of authorizations and agreements advancing international integration in sports, health, customs, tourism, and archiving.

Domestic enablement: New laws/rules (handicrafts, environmental coordination) supporting sustainable development and opportunity creation.

Human capital: Education and innovation focus to strengthen national skills readiness.

  Summary 

Cabinet in NEOM: firm stance on Palestine, backing diplomacy on Ukraine, and a package of agreements/authorizations that bolster partnerships and development—plus new frameworks supporting handicrafts and the environment.