Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Council of Ministers reiterated its firm rejection of extremist Israeli statements regarding the displacement of the Palestinian people. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said that the Cabinet, while discussing the latest regional and international developments, reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause to Saudi Arabia and stressed that lasting peace can only be achieved through the acceptance of peaceful coexistence based on a two-state solution.

At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the content of his phone calls with King Abdullah II of Jordan and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Council reviewed updates on the work of several joint committees between Saudi Arabia and other countries, and highlighted key initiatives to strengthen cooperation and friendship, expand relations, and achieve mutual interests and benefits across various fields.

The Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom’s leading role in multilateral organizations and their affiliated bodies, considering Saudi Arabia’s election as a member of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) as a testament to the international community’s recognition of the Kingdom’s efforts and global standing.

On the domestic front, the Cabinet discussed the Kingdom’s comprehensive developmental momentum to empower promising and emerging sectors. In this context, it welcomed the launch of the King Salman Automotive Cluster, which is expected to support economic diversification efforts, enhance non-oil GDP, and advance the goals of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program.

Al-Dossary stated that the Cabinet praised the completion of the Fiscal Sustainability Program’s executive plan and its contributions to enhancing spending efficiency, increasing revenues, and strengthening planning capabilities. The program also prepares public finances for structural changes and economic reforms linked to Saudi Vision 2030, reinforcing the Kingdom’s financial position and economic resilience.

The Cabinet considered the Kingdom’s top ranking among G20 countries in the Security Index as a reflection of its leading position in security, prosperity, and stability.

The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of discussions by the Political and Security Affairs Council, the Economic and Development Affairs Council, the General Committee of the Cabinet, and the Cabinet's Bureau of Experts.

The Council approved amending paragraph 1 of Article 4 of the Public Prosecution Law, and Article 4 of the Board of Grievances Law related to the formation of the Public Prosecution Council and Administrative Judiciary Council, by adding members with experience and expertise in forming the two councils. The Cabinet approved the National Program for Succession and Leadership Development.

It endorsed a cooperation agreement between the Saudi and Jordanian governments in the field of combating the illicit trafficking and smuggling of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and precursors.

The Council authorized the minister of foreign affairs or his deputy to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding political consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs of Saudi Arabia and Armenia.

The Council endorsed an agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Solomon Islands regarding mutual exemption from short-term visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special, and official passports.

The Cabinet approved a MoU between Saudi Royal Institute of Traditional Arts and Moroccan Academy of Traditional Arts affiliated with Hassan II Mosque Foundation in Casablanca for cooperation in traditional arts and another MoU for cooperation in the financial field between Saudi Ministry of Finance and Qatari Ministry of Finance.

It endorsed a MoU between Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning and Omani Ministry of Economy in the field of economy and planning and another MoU between Saudi General Authority for Foreign Trade and Maldives' Ministry of Economic Development and Trade in the commercial field.

The Council authorized the minister of finance and chairman of the board of directors of the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority or his deputy to sign a draft agreement between the Saudi and Serbian governments to avoid double taxation on income and capital taxes and to prevent tax evasion and avoidance.

The Cabinet approved a MoU for cooperation on maritime passenger transport in the Gulf of Aqaba between the Saudi Transport General Authority and the Egyptian Ministry of Transportation, and another MoU between the Saudi National Center of Meteorology and the UK Met Office on meteorological cooperation, in addition to a MoU for cooperation between the Saudi Central Bank and the Central Bank of Türkiye in the field of central banking