NEOM - The Council of Ministers held its session today, Tuesday, 24 Dhu al-Hijjah 1442 AH, corresponding to August 03, 2021 - via video communication - under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques thanked God Almighty for the honor that this blessed country has bestowed on serving the Two Holy Mosques and their pilgrims to the fullest, and for his success in managing the Hajj and Umrah seasons successfully, and enabling the pilgrims to perform rituals in a healthy, safe environment free of epidemics.

Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers and Acting Minister of Information, Dr. Essam bin Saad bin Saeed, stated that the Council of Ministers was briefed on all the contacts, meetings and consultations that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had with a number of countries during the past days; To upgrade relations to wider horizons. 

The Council reiterated the Kingdom's continuation at the forefront of countries contributing to everything that would achieve development, prosperity and peace for the peoples of the world at large, and what was included in this context, the speech of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince at the World Education Summit held in London under the title (Financing Partnership for Education 2021-2025), from the Kingdom’s interest and keenness to support international initiatives and programs that enhance the economies of education and educational systems in the beneficiary countries to provide high-quality services to those who need them most in light of the pandemic crisis.

And he indicated that the Council of Ministers touched on what the Kingdom emphasized during its participation in the International Conference on Central and South Asia, held in Uzbekistan, that it continues to work with its partners in international organizations to combat the coronavirus pandemic, enhance the appropriate environment for development and growth, increase trade partnerships across regions, and support all efforts. To combat terrorism and extremism. 

The Council reviewed a number of reports on the developments of the situation on the Arab, regional and international arenas, reiterating the Kingdom's support for everything that supports the security and stability of the Republic of Tunisia, emphasizing confidence in its leadership to overcome the conditions witnessed by its country and in order to achieve a decent life and prosperity for its brotherly people, and called on the international community to Stand by it to face its health and economic challenges.

The Cabinet promised the relief aid provided by the Kingdom to a number of Arab and Islamic countries to mitigate the effects of the Corona pandemic, as an extension of the humanitarian role it plays towards the worst-affected countries, and to continue extending a helping hand and assistance, and to contribute to supporting international efforts in this regard.

Essam bin Saeed stated that the Council condemned the continued attempts of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia to target civilian objects and civilians in the Kingdom with ballistic missiles and drones, and to threaten shipping lines and international trade in the Red Sea, praising in this context the efficiency of the Saudi air defenses in thwarting those attempts. Hostility, and the contribution of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen to secure freedom of navigation and the safety of ships transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The Cabinet discussed the developments of the Corona pandemic at the local and international levels, and the great success of the Kingdom’s efforts in reducing the effects imposed by the pandemic on all aspects of life, including working to increase societal immunity by providing more than (27) million doses of vaccine. Corona virus for citizens and residents, to be ranked among the best countries in giving vaccines and coverage rates.

The Council was briefed on the topics on its agenda, including topics that the Shura Council participated in its study. 

The Council of Ministers concluded the following:

First: To authorize His Excellency the Minister of Health - or his representative - to discuss with the American side a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Health and Human Services in the United States of America to cooperate in the fields of public health and medical sciences, to sign it, and then submit the copy The final signed, to complete the statutory procedures.

Second: Approval of the regional protocol for technical cooperation to borrow and transfer experts, technicians, devices, equipment and materials in emergency cases.

Third: Approval of a protocol between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Center for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (SIDari) for the establishment of a regional office for SIDari in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Fourth: Approval of the joint customs cooperation agreement between the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Customs Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain for mutual recognition of the economic operator program approved by each of them.

Fifth: Amending the regulation of the Radio and Television Authority - issued by Cabinet Resolution No. (302) dated 9/11/1433 AH - as stated in the decision.

Sixth: Approval of the amendment of Article (twenty-third) of the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/19) dated 4/23/1429 AH, to be as stipulated in the resolution.

Seventh: Approval of the partial amendments to the International Radio Regulations - contained in the final documents of the World Radiocommunication Conference for the year 2019 AD, and authorizing His Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs - or his representative - to sign the form of the instrument of ratification for those amendments.

Eighth: Appointing Dr. Abdulrahman bin Muhammad Al-Barrak, Mr. Abdullah bin Ali Almajdouie, and Mr. Amer bin Abdullah Reda, members of the private sector related to public transport activity in the Board of Directors of the Public Transport Authority.

Ninth: Approval of the final accounts of the General Authority for Competition, the Agricultural Development Fund, and the General Authority for the State on the funds of minors and the like, and the Decision Support Center, for previous financial years.

Tenth: Approval of promotions for the fifteenth and fourteenth ranks.