Riyadh | BETH
1 Sha’ban 1447 AH – Corresponding to January 20, 2026

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud — may God protect him — chaired the Cabinet session held today in Riyadh.

International Messages and Communications

At the outset of the session, the Cabinet reviewed:

The content of a message received by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister — may God protect him — from His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Sultan of Oman.

The substance of a telephone call received by His Royal Highness from His Excellency Ahmed Al-Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Regional and International Developments

While reviewing regional and international developments, the Cabinet welcomed:

The launch of the second phase of the comprehensive peace plan in Gaza.

The commencement of duties by the Palestinian National Committee to administer the Gaza Strip.

The announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump of the establishment of a Peace Council.

The Cabinet commended the international efforts exerted in this regard.

It also emphasized:

The necessity of consolidating the ceasefire in Gaza.

Halting violations and ensuring unrestricted access for humanitarian aid.

Paving the way for the Palestinian National Authority to resume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip.

Progressing toward ending the Israeli occupation and realizing an independent Palestinian state in accordance with United Nations resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the two-state solution.

Saudi Arabia’s Position on Syria

Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossary stated that the Cabinet:

Welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Syria.

Welcomed the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian state.

Affirmed Saudi Arabia’s full support for efforts aimed at strengthening civil peace and preserving Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Reiterated support for the aspirations of the Syrian people toward development and prosperity.

The Yemeni File

The Cabinet reviewed efforts aimed at:

Ending the Yemeni crisis.

Continuing work on the future of the Southern Cause through the Riyadh Conference to develop a comprehensive framework for fair solutions.

It stressed that Saudi Arabia’s launch of a package of development projects and programs across various Yemeni governorates represents:

An extension of support for the Yemeni people.

A contribution to enhancing security and stability.

An effort to improve living conditions across all sectors.

Saudi Leadership in Humanitarian Assistance

The Cabinet noted that Saudi Arabia ranked:

Second globally, and

First in the Arab world,

among donor countries in humanitarian and relief assistance, and topped the list of the largest supporters of Yemen for 2025, according to the UN Financial Tracking Service — reaffirming the Kingdom’s leadership and long-standing record of humanitarian giving worldwide.

Economic Partnerships and Accelerated Growth

Minister Al-Dossary reported that the Cabinet reviewed developments in strengthening Saudi Arabia’s economic partnerships, praising:

The successful fifth edition of the Future Minerals Forum held in Riyadh.

Participation from 91 countries.

The signing of 132 agreements and memoranda of understanding valued at over SAR 100 billion.

These agreements covered areas including:

Exploration

Mining

Financing

Research and development

Innovation

The Cabinet also highlighted the tangible expansion of the Kingdom’s productive economic base, noting that most non-oil sectors recorded annual growth rates ranging between 5% and 10% over the past five years — reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in driving economic prosperity, sustainability, and inclusiveness across sectors.

Cabinet Decisions

The Cabinet reviewed agenda items, including those jointly examined with the Shura Council, as well as matters concluded by:

The Council of Political and Security Affairs

The Council of Economic and Development Affairs

The General Committee of the Cabinet

The Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers

The Cabinet issued the following decisions:

First:
Approval of a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on cooperation in electrical interconnection.

Second:
Approval of a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Saudi Ministry of Interior and the Iraqi Ministry of Health on combating illicit trafficking in narcotics, psychotropic substances, chemical precursors, and smuggling.

Third:
Authorizing the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development — or his delegate — to negotiate with the Government of Singapore on a draft Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in social development and to sign it.

Fourth:
Authorizing the Saudi Geological Survey to negotiate with the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (USA) on a draft Memorandum of Understanding on geological cooperation and to sign it.

Fifth:
Approval of a draft Memorandum of Understanding on technical cooperation in civil aviation between the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia and the African Civil Aviation Commission.

Sixth:
Authorizing the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Chairman of the Board of the General Authority for Irrigation — or his delegate — to negotiate with UN-Habitat on a draft Memorandum of Understanding on the safe reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation and to sign it.

Seventh:
Approval of a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Saudi Financial Intelligence Unit (Presidency of State Security) and the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic on cooperation in exchanging intelligence related to money laundering, terrorist financing, and associated crimes.

Eighth:
Authorizing the President of the General Auditing Bureau — or his delegate — to negotiate with Malaysia on a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Saudi General Auditing Bureau and Malaysia’s National Audit Department on accounting, auditing, and professional cooperation.

Ninth:
Approval of the National Insurance Sector Strategy.

Tenth:
Formation of a permanent ministerial committee to coordinate and align services provided to individuals with autism spectrum disorder, study challenges faced by patients and families, and propose solutions.

Eleventh:
Renewal of membership of:

Dr. Abdulaziz bin Khalid Al-Hammoudi

Dr. Abdulrahman bin Mushabbab Al-Amri

and appointment of:

Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Joufan

Dr. Hisham bin Saleh Al-Khalifah

Mr. Hani bin Tariq Gharbawi

to the committee stipulated under the Patent Law and related systems.

Twelfth:
Approval of final accounts for previous fiscal years of:

General Authority for Military Industries

Tourism Development Fund

Saudi Fund for Development

Thirteenth:
Issuing necessary directives regarding several agenda items, including annual reports of various ministries and government authorities.

Fourteenth:
Approval of promotions to the 14th and 15th ranks, as detailed.

Editorial Summary | BETH

The Cabinet session reflects a balanced approach combining:

Regional political engagement

Economic partnership expansion

Humanitarian leadership

Continued institutional and regulatory reform

underscoring Saudi Arabia’s steady path toward stability, development, and global responsibility.