Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Saudi Council of Ministers welcomed on Tuesday the steps taken in response to US President Donald Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza, as well as to release all hostages, and immediately begin negotiations to agree on implementation mechanisms.
Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said that the Cabinet discussed current regional developments, particularly the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Council reviewed all international meetings hosted by Saudi Arabia, affirming its commitment to promoting multilateral dialogue and intensifying joint coordination to serve international peace and security, address global challenges, and support development.
Al-Dossary said the Cabinet commended the recent Munich Security Conference leaders’ meeting held in AlUla.
The AlUla meeting, which included senior international officials, focused on exchanging views on regional developments, global food security, climate and energy issues, and international trade and economic cooperation.
The Cabinet commended the outcomes of the second regular session of the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers, hosted by the Kingdom.
The meeting’s achievements during its first year, including enhanced joint action, cooperation, and solidarity, will contribute to a secure and reliable Arab cyberspace that fosters growth and prosperity.
The Council also praised the outcomes of the fifth Global Cybersecurity Forum, held in Riyadh under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, highlighting the forum's launches and initiatives, which affirmed the Kingdom's global leadership in cybersecurity, its support for international partnerships, and its commitment to human and societal prosperity.
The Cabinet welcomed Saudi Arabia’s selection to host the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development in 2029.
This selection recognizes the Kingdom’s national, regional, and global standing, as well as its contributions to supporting culture’s developmental role and stimulating innovation and creativity.
On the domestic front, the Cabinet reviewed the preliminary indicators of the 2026 state general budget, confirming the budget’s ongoing support for comprehensive economic growth, development, and social spending, while simultaneously strengthening the Kingdom’s financial position and ensuring the sustainability of public finances.
This reflects a commitment to structural reforms aimed at enhancing economic efficiency, diversification, and competitiveness, thereby achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The Cabinet approved the establishment of a branch of the University of New Haven in Riyadh, and the organization of the National Institute for Health Research.
The Cabinet authorized the minister of foreign affairs or his deputy to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) on political consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and authorized the minister of environment, water and agriculture or his deputy to discuss and sign a draft MoU in the agricultural field with the Azerbaijani Ministry of Agriculture.
The Cabinet also approved a MoU for cooperation in the health sector between the Saudi Ministry of Health and the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, and another MoU for cooperation in the field of statistics between the Saudi General Authority for Statistics and Statistics Estonia.
