• Condemnation of the targeting of the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait
• Approval of the establishment of “Kingdom University” in Riyadh
• Riyadh selected as the UN Center for Digital Government
• Continued spending support for health, education, and infrastructure
• Expanding international partnerships:
  • Saudi–Russian cooperation in climate and emissions
  • New partnerships in artificial intelligence and data
  • Media agreements with Qatar and Tunisia
  • Praise for industrial and mining momentum
  • Environmental and agricultural cooperation with China and international organizations

Jeddah | B | BETH
May 12, 2026

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held today in Jeddah, during which the Council discussed regional and international developments, alongside a number of economic, developmental, and legislative files.

The Situation

The Council of Ministers stressed its condemnation of the attacks targeting the territories and waters of the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s support for the Gulf states and backing the measures they are taking to protect their security and stability.

The Council also praised the outcomes of the third meeting of the Saudi–Turkish Coordination Council, as well as Riyadh’s selection as the headquarters of the United Nations Center for Digital Government, in a step reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing role in digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

The Cabinet reviewed the quarterly report on the performance of the state’s 2026 budget, reaffirming the continuation of spending support for health, education, social development, and infrastructure sectors, while also praising the accelerating momentum in the industrial and mining sectors during 2025.

Decisions

• Approval of a memorandum of understanding with Russia for cooperation in climate change and low-emission development.
• Authorizing the Minister of Interior to discuss with Oman a memorandum of understanding in scientific, training, and research activities.
• Approval of an agreement with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research to enhance sustainability and innovation in the agricultural sector.
• Authorizing the National Center for Wildlife Development to discuss with the Chinese side cooperation in preserving marine biodiversity.
• Approval of a memorandum of understanding with Tunisia for cooperation in the mining sector.
• Adoption of a guiding framework for international cooperation in transport safety.
• Authorizing SDAIA to discuss with Bahrain cooperation in data and artificial intelligence.
• Approval of two memoranda of understanding for radio and television cooperation with Qatar and Tunisia.
• Authorizing the Public Prosecutor to discuss with Singapore cooperation between the two public prosecution offices.
• Approval of regulations and procedures for insurance dispute and violation committees.
• Approval of the establishment of “Kingdom University” in Riyadh.
• Appointment of Abdullah Al-Juffali and Turki Bin Muammar as members of the board of MODON.
• Approval of final accounts for a number of government authorities and entities.

BETH Analysis

What stands out in the Cabinet session is not only the number of agreements and decisions,
But the diversity of their directions across:

The economy,
Technology,
The environment,
Education,
Media,
And artificial intelligence.

This reflects the Kingdom’s continued effort to build a multi-track development model that does not rely on a single sector, but rather on an interconnected network of economic, knowledge-based, and institutional transformations.

The inclusion of files such as artificial intelligence, digital government, and environmental sustainability within the Cabinet agenda also reflects the transition of these areas from the stage of “initiatives” to the stage of “sovereign policies” tied to the Kingdom’s future, economy, and international standing.