The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Council of Ministers meeting in Jeddah.
At the start of the session, His Highness expressed his gratitude to God for granting the Kingdom the honor of serving His Holy House and the Mosque of His Messenger. He also thanked God for His support and success in organizing the Hajj and Umrah seasons, and for providing the best services to the pilgrims. He emphasized the Kingdom’s efforts to ensure the comfort and safety of all guests of God.
He expressed his appreciation for the efforts made during the Hajj season to facilitate the pilgrimage, enabling pilgrims to perform their rituals comfortably and peacefully. He also prayed for God’s acceptance of the pilgrims’ Hajj and the good deeds of all Muslims.
The Council of Ministers then reviewed communications between the Kingdom and other countries, aimed at strengthening relations and developing cooperation in various fields, to serve mutual interests and benefits.
His Excellency the Minister of Education and Acting Minister of Media, Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan, stated that the Council reviewed the Kingdom’s participation in regional and international gatherings. He emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting multilateral approaches and collective efforts to resolve crises, achieve international security and stability, and promote development and prosperity.
The Cabinet highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts, in cooperation with other nations, to stop Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and to increase international recognition of the State of Palestine. They also stressed their continued humanitarian support for civilians in the Gaza Strip.
On a domestic front, the Council noted the launch of a geographical survey project for renewable energy projects in the Kingdom, a first-of-its-kind initiative globally. This project demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving its ambitious national targets in renewable energy production. The initiative will contribute to an optimal energy mix for electricity generation, displacing liquid fuels, and facilitating the Kingdom’s transition towards electricity export and clean hydrogen production.
His Excellency confirmed that the Council of Ministers approved the awarding of contracts for the second phase of the Jafurah field development program and the third phase of the main gas network expansion project in the Kingdom. These projects are essential for ongoing development and economic diversification, leveraging the Kingdom’s comparative advantages and strengthening its leading position in global energy markets.
The Council commended the new oil and natural gas discoveries made by Saudi Aramco in the Eastern Province and the Empty Quarter, thanking God for His blessings on the Kingdom.
The Council praised the achievements of the Human Capacity Development Program and the National Industries and Logistics Services Development Program, which will play a crucial role in enhancing the global competitiveness of citizens and solidifying the Kingdom’s position as a leading industrial power and a global logistics platform.
His Excellency highlighted the Kingdom’s advancement to sixteenth place among the most competitive countries globally, as reported in the 2024 Competitiveness Yearbook. He also noted the Kingdom’s achievement of first place in several sub-indicators, attributed to improvements in business legislation and infrastructure, a thriving economy, and a globally engaged society.
The Council commended the Education and Training Evaluation Commission’s full membership in the Seoul Convention on Computer and Information Technology Programs in Higher Education, as the first Arab and Middle Eastern accreditation body. This accomplishment confirms the excellence of the Saudi model in university education quality and reflects the state’s significant investment in this sector and its development.
The Council reviewed various topics, including those studied by the Shura Council, and the conclusions drawn by the Economic and Development Affairs Council, the Political and Security Affairs Council, the General Committee of the Council of Ministers, and the Experts Authority of the Council of Ministers.
The Council reached the following decisions:
Firstly:
Authorization for His Royal Highness the Minister of Energy, or his representative, to negotiate with the Kyrgyz side regarding the draft memorandum of understanding between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kyrgyz Republic for cooperation in the energy sector, and to sign it.
Secondly:
Authorization for His Royal Highness the Minister of Interior, or his representative, to negotiate with the Uzbek side regarding the draft cooperation agreement on the use and replacement of driving licenses between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and to sign it.
Third:
Authorization for His Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs, or his representative, to negotiate with the Montenegrin side regarding the draft general agreement for cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Montenegro, and to sign it.
Fourth:
Authorization for His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, or his representative, to negotiate with the Jordanian side regarding the draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Environment in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in the field of environmental preservation, and to sign it.
Fifth:
Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Mines and Geology in the Republic of Senegal, for cooperation in the mineral wealth sector.
Sixth:
Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources in the Arab Republic of Egypt, for cooperation in the mineral wealth sector.
Seventh:
Authorization for His Excellency the Minister of Health, or his representative, to negotiate with the Egyptian side regarding the draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Health and Population in the Arab Republic of Egypt, for cooperation in health fields, and to sign it.
Eighth:
Approval of the Saudi Tourism Authority’s accession as an associate member of the World Tourism Organization.
Ninth:
Authorization for His Excellency the Minister of Economy and Planning, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Statistics, or his representative, to negotiate with the Finnish side regarding the draft Memorandum of Understanding between the General Authority for Statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Statistics Finland in the Republic of Finland, for cooperation in the field of statistics, and to sign it.
Tenth:
Authorization for His Highness the Minister of Culture, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, or his representative, to negotiate with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Center for Translation, Arabization and Interest in the Arabic Language) regarding the draft Memorandum of Understanding between the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Center for Translation, Arabization and Interest in the Arabic Language), for cooperation in serving the Arabic language, and to sign it.
Eleventh:
Approval of a cooperation agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the African Organization for Standardization, in the field of clean fuel solutions for food production.
Twelfth:
Approval of the new social insurance system for new entrants to the workforce, with the exception that the provisions of the civil retirement and social insurance systems will continue to apply to current subscribers, except for those related to the regular retirement age and qualifying period for pension entitlement for certain categories.
Thirteenth:
Approval to renew the National Community Development Program in the regions for seven years.
Fourteenth:
Approval of the project document for the allocation of 14 sports clubs, and granting the Supervisory Committee for Allocation in the Sports Sector the authority to issue approvals for the allocation of sports clubs in the following grades: professionals, first, second, third, and fourth.
Fifteenth:
Appointment of Mr. Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Munaie, Mr. Abdulaziz bin Mubarak bin Faraj Al-Faraj, and Mr. Sami bin Mohammed bin Saeed Saad as members of the Board of Directors of the King Abdulaziz Center for Purebred Arabian Horses, based on their expertise and interest in fields related to the Center’s activities.
Sixteenth:
Approval of the final accounts of the General Authority for Food Security, the Agricultural Development Fund, and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology for previous fiscal years.
Seventeenth:
Approval of promotions to the fifteenth and fourteenth ranks, as follows:
– Promoting Mansour bin Mohammed bin Saad Al Mansour to the position of Senior Security Advisor at the fifteenth rank at the Ministry of Interior.
– Promoting Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Mufrij Al-Manea to the position of Senior Business Advisor at the fifteenth rank at the Ministry of Interior.
– Promoting Saeed bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al-Harisan to the position of Senior Legal Advisor at the fifteenth rank, in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.
– Promoting Saud bin Saad bin Dhawi Al Salmi Al Harbi to the position of Director General at the fourteenth rank in the Ministry of Interior.
– Promoting Eng. Khalid bin Saeed bin Ahmed Al-Omari to the position of Deputy Secretary at the fourteenth rank in the Asir Region Secretariat.
– Promoting Eng. Abdulrahman bin Dakhil bin Hashim Jaber to the position of Director General at the fourteenth rank in the Secretariat of Jeddah Governorate.
The Council of Ministers reviewed several general topics, including annual reports from the Ministries of Economy and Planning, Education, and the General Authority for Statistics, and took appropriate actions regarding these matters.
Saudi Council of Ministers Discusses Development, Economic Diversification, and International Relations
Key Decisions and Updates from the Council of Ministers Meeting
The Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia convened in Jeddah on [Date] under the chairmanship of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The meeting addressed numerous critical issues, including national development, economic diversification, international relations, and key appointments.
Appreciation for Hajj Season Success
Prince Mohammed bin Salman commended the success of the Hajj season, emphasizing the Kingdom’s efforts in providing exceptional services to pilgrims, ensuring their comfort and safety during their pilgrimage. He expressed gratitude for the seamless organization and implementation of the Hajj and Umrah seasons, reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to facilitating pilgrimages and upholding the highest standards of service for the guests of Allah.
Enhancing International Relations and Cooperation
The Council reviewed discussions and communications conducted with various international partners to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation across multiple domains.
Regional and International Engagements
The Council of Ministers assessed the results of the Kingdom’s participation in various regional and international gatherings, emphasizing its dedication to multilateral approaches and collaborative efforts to address global challenges. These efforts aim to resolve crises, promote international security, and foster an environment conducive to development and prosperity.
Supporting Palestine and Humanitarian Aid
The Council highlighted the Kingdom’s unwavering efforts alongside its regional counterparts to halt the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. The Kingdom actively seeks to garner increased international recognition for the State of Palestine and continues to provide critical relief aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Renewable Energy and Energy Sector Development
The Council acknowledged the launch of a groundbreaking geographical survey project for renewable energy ventures in the Kingdom. This initiative, a global pioneer, underscores the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to achieving its ambitious national targets for renewable energy production. This strategy plays a pivotal role in optimizing the energy mix for electricity generation, reducing reliance on liquid fuels, and bolstering the Kingdom’s position as a key player in the global energy market, including electricity export and clean hydrogen production.
Key Economic Initiatives and Achievements
The Council celebrated the awarding of contracts for crucial phases of two major projects: the Jafurah field development program (Phase 2) and the main gas network expansion project (Phase 3). These endeavors reaffirm the Kingdom’s dedication to continuous development, economic diversification, leveraging its competitive advantages, and solidifying its leadership in global energy markets.
The Council acknowledged with gratitude the recent significant discoveries of oil and natural gas by Saudi Aramco in the Eastern Province and the Empty Quarter, recognizing these finds as a testament to the Kingdom’s bountiful natural resources. This highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to sustainably managing its resources for long-term national prosperity.
Strengthening Human Capital and Industry Development
The Council lauded the accomplishments and success demonstrated by the Human Capacity Development Program and the National Industries and Logistics Services Development Program. These initiatives will play a crucial role in enhancing the global competitiveness of Saudi citizens and solidifying the Kingdom’s standing as a leading industrial powerhouse and a global logistics hub.
Enhanced Global Competitiveness
The Council acknowledged the Kingdom’s advancement to the sixteenth position among the world’s most competitive nations, as highlighted in the 2024 Competitiveness Yearbook report. This achievement is attributed to the Kingdom’s ongoing progress in business legislation, infrastructure, and the creation of a thriving economy that actively engages with the global landscape.
Education Sector Recognition and Achievements
The Council commended the Education and Training Evaluation Commission for securing full membership in the Seoul Convention on Computer and Information Technology Programs in Higher Education, becoming the first Arab and Middle Eastern accreditation body to achieve this distinction. This achievement reflects the high standards of Saudi university education on the international stage and underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to investing in and advancing this crucial sector.
Key Decisions
The Council of Ministers approved a series of significant decisions, including:
International Agreements & Memoranda of Understanding:
- Authorization for the Minister of Energy to negotiate and sign a memorandum of understanding with Kyrgyzstan for cooperation in the energy sector.
- Authorization for the Minister of Interior to negotiate and sign a cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan regarding driving license recognition and replacement.
- Authorization for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to negotiate and sign a general cooperation agreement with Montenegro.
- Authorization for the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture to negotiate and sign a memorandum of understanding with Jordan for cooperation in environmental protection.
- Approval of a memorandum of understanding between Saudi Arabia and Senegal for cooperation in the field of mineral wealth.
- Approval of a memorandum of understanding between Saudi Arabia and Egypt for cooperation in the field of mineral wealth.
- Authorization for the Minister of Health to negotiate and sign a memorandum of understanding with Egypt for cooperation in healthcare.
- Approval of the Saudi Tourism Authority’s accession as an associate member of the World Tourism Organization.
- Authorization for the Minister of Economy and Planning to negotiate and sign a memorandum of understanding with Finland for cooperation in statistics.
- Authorization for the Minister of Culture to negotiate and sign a memorandum of understanding with the Gulf Cooperation Council for cooperation in promoting the Arabic language.
- Approval of a cooperation agreement between Saudi Arabia and the African Organization for Standardization regarding clean fuel solutions for food production.
Domestic Policies and Initiatives:
- Approval of a new social insurance system for new entrants to the workforce, while retaining existing provisions for current subscribers.
- Approval for a seven-year renewal of the National Community Development Program in the regions.
- Approval of the project document for the allocation of 14 sports clubs and the empowerment of the Supervisory Committee for Allocation in the Sports Sector to approve allocations for various levels of sports clubs, including professional, first, second, third, and fourth grades.
- Appointment of three individuals – Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Munaie, Abdulaziz bin Mubarak bin Faraj Al-Faraj, and Sami bin Mohammed bin Saeed Saad – as members of the Board of Directors of King Abdulaziz Center for Purebred Arabian Horses.
- Approval of final accounts for previous fiscal years for the General Authority for Food Security, the Agricultural Development Fund, and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.
- Approval of promotions to the fifteenth and fourteenth ranks for several individuals across various government entities.
Promoting Transparency and Collaboration
The Council’s meeting demonstrated a commitment to transparency and collaboration, with the Council reviewing crucial topics including annual reports from the Ministries of Economy and Planning, Education, and the General Authority for Statistics, showcasing its dedication to continuous monitoring and evaluation across key sectors.
These decisions and initiatives reflect the Kingdom’s forward-looking vision, guided by its commitment to national development, economic diversification, and global engagement. The Council of Ministers meeting emphasized its dedication to building a prosperous and thriving future for Saudi Arabia while playing a responsible role in the global community.