NEOM - The Council of Ministers held its meeting today, Tuesday, Rajab 11 1442 AH, corresponding to February 23, 2021 AD - through 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 members of the Council of Ministers congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the success of the surgery that was performed on His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, and with what God - may God Almighty - grant him health and wellness.

Then the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Council on the content of the phone call with President Joseph Biden, President of the United States of America, and the emphasis on the depth of the relationship that binds the two countries, and the importance of strengthening the partnership between them to serve their interests and achieve security and stability in the region and the world.

Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, the Minister of Information in charge, stated that the Council of Ministers considered the Kingdom's progress for the second year in a row in the report "Women in Business and Law 2021" issued by the World Bank Group, and classifying them among the leading countries in the Middle East and North Africa, as the fruit of patronage. Kind, wise leadership.

The Council of Ministers followed the latest developments in the Corona pandemic, at the local and international levels.

Al-Qasabi indicated that the council valued the efficiency of the air defense system in confronting and thwarting the threats made by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militia and its violations of international laws and customary rules by launching ballistic missiles and drones (booby traps) towards civilians and civilian objects in the Kingdom in a deliberate and systematic manner, again condemning the Kingdom And its condemnation of the continuation of those hostile and terrorist acts.

The council concluded:

Firstly:

To authorize the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Advocacy and Guidance - or his representative - to negotiate with the Croatian side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of Islamic affairs between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Sheikhdom in the Republic of Croatia, sign it, and then upload the final signed copy, To complete the statutory procedures.

Secondly :

Approval of a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the radio and television field between the Radio and Television Corporation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the (KBS) World Korean network, and authorizing the Minister of Information, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Radio and Television Corporation - or his representative - to negotiate with the Korean side about the matter. The draft memorandum of understanding, and signing it, in light of the attached formula, within the framework of the Saudi-Korean joint committee.

Third:

Approval of the agreement between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Nations Educational, Energy and Science Organization (UNESCO) regarding the establishment of the Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Public Education as one of the second category centers under the auspices of UNESCO.

Fourthly:

Transforming the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control into a public authority in the name of the Public Health Authority, and approving the organizational arrangements for it.

Fifthly:

Amending the organization of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Estates and Technology Zones, issued by Cabinet Resolution No. (235) dated 27/8/1422 AH, as stated in the decision.

Sixthly :

Approval of the final accounts of the Saudi Export Development Authority and the General Corporation for Railways for the past two fiscal years.

Seventh:

Add a representative from the Ministry of Education and a representative from the Ministry of Health to the Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons at the Human Rights Commission.