The Cabinet condemns the Houthis’ renewed attempt to target Makkah, reaffirms respect for sovereignty and freedom of navigation, and describes the launch of Ceer as a strategic step toward building an advanced industrial ecosystem

Jeddah | BETH

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session held in Jeddah on Tuesday, opening the meeting by praising and thanking God for the blessings bestowed upon the Kingdom and for honoring it with the service of the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.

As the Kingdom prepares to celebrate its National Day on Wednesday, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed his aspiration for further achievements and successes in the nation’s path of development, progress and leadership across all fields.

The Holy Sites Are a Red Line

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques praised the role of the military and security sectors in defending the nation and confronting any attack on the holy sites, pilgrims, citizens and residents.

He condemned the Houthi militia’s renewed attempt to target Makkah, stressing that any violation of the sanctity of the holy places constitutes a provocation to the feelings of Muslims around the world.

Egypt and the Region

The Cabinet reviewed the results of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Egypt and the discussions he held with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, which reaffirmed the strength of relations between the two countries and their shared desire to expand cooperation and coordination on issues of mutual interest.

The Cabinet also reviewed a message received by the Crown Prince from Jordan’s King Abdullah II, as well as a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron, which addressed regional developments and efforts to strengthen regional stability and ensure the security and freedom of maritime navigation.

In reviewing developments in the region, the Cabinet stressed the need to uphold the principles of international law, respect sovereignty, resolve disputes through peaceful means, and ensure the safety of navigation in international waterways in a manner that protects global trade and supply chains.

Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology

The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of several international conferences hosted by the Kingdom, including the 2026 Ministerial Meeting of the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, and the recommendations issued to support international cooperation in developing AI, strengthening its governance, regulating its applications and ensuring its safe and inclusive use.

The Cabinet also praised the success of the fourth Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit, which witnessed the launch of more than 40 agreements and initiatives aimed at supporting the localization of knowledge and innovation and advancing research, drug discovery and future technologies.

Ceer: A Strategic Step

The Cabinet described the launch of the first models by national automaker Ceer as a new strategic step toward building an advanced and sustainable industrial ecosystem, attracting investment, supporting national talent and strengthening the role of the private sector, while enhancing the Kingdom’s position in the automotive industry regionally and globally.

Cabinet Decisions

The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding to establish a Strategic Partnership Council between Saudi Arabia and Spain.

It also approved the amended protocol to the minutes establishing the Saudi-Jordanian Higher Coordination Council, authorizing the Minister of Foreign Affairs to sign it.

The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Foreign Affairs, or his delegate, to hold talks with the Surinamese and Panamanian sides regarding draft general cooperation agreements and to sign them.

It also approved the guiding model for a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurship and franchising between the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises and counterpart entities in other countries, authorizing the Minister of Commerce to negotiate and sign in accordance with the model.

The Cabinet approved the final account of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund for a previous fiscal year.

It also issued the necessary directives regarding several items on its agenda, including annual reports of the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, and the National Program for the Development of the Information Technology Sector.

BETH Analysis

Today’s Cabinet session brings together three clear tracks:

protecting the homeland and the holy sites, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position on regional security and freedom of navigation, and accelerating economic and technological development.

The discussion of Makkah and maritime security reflects the priority of sovereignty and stability, while the Ceer, artificial intelligence and biotechnology files show that the state’s agenda does not stop at managing crises; it continues in parallel to build industry, knowledge and the new economy.

And perhaps this is the most important message from today’s session:

Security and development move forward together, even in times of escalation.