NEOM - The Council of Ministers held its session today, Tuesday, 06 Jumada al-Akhira 1442 AH corresponding to January 19, 2021 AD - via video communication - headed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister, may God protect him.
At the beginning of the session, the Cabinet assessed what His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - may God protect him - confirmed, during his participation in the World Economic Forum, with 160 leading and pioneering personalities representing 36 countries, of the role that the Kingdom has played and is still in the framework of promoting development and supporting The stability of the region, preserving the energy supply market, working to establish security and peace, as well as strengthening economic cooperation with partners and friends in the business community, and their participation in major investment opportunities and new projects in the Kingdom within what is provided by (Vision 2030).
In this context, the Council expressed pride in the Kingdom's achievements in the context of the rapid transformation and reforms since the adoption of (Vision 2030), including doubling non-oil revenues, empowering women in the labor market, raising the level of competitiveness in the business environment, and activating the role of the Public Investment Fund. And the significant improvement made in protecting the environment, and the Kingdom’s initiative approved by the G20 Leaders Summit (2020) regarding the circular carbon economy.
His Excellency the Acting Minister of Information, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, stated that the Council of Ministers addressed the latest developments in the Corona pandemic at the local and international levels, and the latest statistics and relevant indicators, in light of what the Kingdom is witnessing in terms of an increase in the number of HIV infections, and the decrease in active and critical cases compared to the months In the past, and the expansion of the virus vaccination campaign with the aim of achieving herd immunity, he also viewed a number of reports on preventive measures and protocols taken by the concerned authorities; To prevent the spread of any new mutated strains.

The Council promised, the continuation of distance education for all stages until the tenth week of the second semester, that it comes as an extension of the wise leadership’s keenness - may God protect it - for the safety of male and female students, and their protection from the dangers of infection with the Coronavirus, and in light of what the state has prepared and provided of all capabilities; To ensure the continuity of the educational process, and the successes achieved by distance education in the Kingdom during the previous period despite the pandemic circumstances.
His Excellency indicated that the Council of Ministers reviewed a number of issues and developments in the Arab, regional and international arenas, reiterating that the Kingdom is pushing towards achieving security and stability in the region, and supports political solutions in Yemen, Syria and Libya.
The Council also stressed the need to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue, in accordance with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, and the importance of resuming negotiations between the two sides to achieve peace in the region.
The Council of Ministers strongly condemned the Kingdom's strong condemnation of the Houthi terrorist militia’s continued violation of the Stockholm Agreement, and the continued use of the Hodeidah Governorate as a platform for hostilities and terrorist operations by launching ballistic missiles and drones (booby traps), as well as launching explosive and remotely piloted boat attacks, which represent a real threat. For regional and international security, and undermining political efforts.
The Council reviewed the topics on its agenda, including topics that the Shura Council participated in studying, as well as the findings of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, the Council of Political and Security Affairs, the General Committee of the Council of Ministers, and the Council of Experts in the Council of Ministers in this regard.

The Council of Ministers concluded the following:

First:
Delegating His Excellency the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Communications and Information Technology Commission - or his representative - to discuss with the Egyptian side a draft memorandum of understanding between the Communications and Information Technology Commission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency in the Arab Republic of Egypt in the field of communications and information technology, And to sign it, and then upload the final signed copy, to complete the legal procedures.
Second:
Authorizing His Excellency the Minister of Education - or his representative - to negotiate with the Guinean side in the matter of a draft memorandum of scientific and educational cooperation between the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Republic of Guinea, and to sign it, and then submit the final signed copy, to complete the legal procedures.
Third:
Adding a paragraph bearing No. (14) to the schedule of fees for vehicle plates of all kinds - accompanying the traffic system issued by Royal Decree No. (M / 85) dated 10/26/1428 AH - in the name of (a plate with a distinctive logo) with a value of (800) riyals to be collected once upon issuance, And adding a paragraph bearing No. (6) to the schedule of violations No. (7) attached to the traffic system issued by Royal Decree No. (M / 85) dated 10/26/1428 AH, with the following text: “The risk of crossing valleys and reefs while they are running”.
Fourthly:
Continuing to pay the overtime allowance for the occupants of health jobs not covered by the health jobs list in hospitals, health centers and laboratories, as stipulated in the decision.
Fifthly:
Amending Article (4) of the organization of the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, issued by Cabinet Resolution No. (301) dated 7/11/1437 AH, by adding a representative from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to the membership of the Authority’s Board of Directors.
Sixthly:
Approval of the final account of the General Corporation for Railways for the fiscal year (1439/1440 AH).
Seventh:
Approval of promotions to the two ranks (fifteenth) and (fourteenth).
The Council of Ministers also reviewed a number of general topics on its agenda, including annual reports of the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, the Saudi Post Corporation, the Decision-Making Support Center, and the Human Rights Commission, and the Council has taken the necessary actions regarding these issues.