مجلس الوزراء: السعودية مستعدة للتعاون مع أمريكا لتحقيق اتفاق شامل لوقف الحرب في غزة

The Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, chaired the session held by the Council of Ministers today (Tuesday) in Riyadh.

At the beginning of the session, the Crown Prince expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the leaders of brotherly and friendly countries for their sincere feelings towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the ninety-fifth National Day, turning his praise and thanks to Almighty God for the blessings of stability, prosperity, and development bestowed upon this blessed land, and for the unprecedented achievements realized in its journey of progress and prosperity.

The Council of Ministers then reviewed the overall state activities in recent days, particularly those related to enhancing relations with various countries around the world, commending in this context the results of the visit by the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during which the "Joint Strategic Defense" agreement was signed, aimed at developing aspects of defense cooperation between the two brotherly countries and achieving security and peace in the region and the world.

The Council expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's welcome to the announcement by the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump's comprehensive plan to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip, to rebuild the sector, and to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid without restrictions, as well as his announcement that he would not allow the annexation of the West Bank to Israel.

The Council affirmed the Kingdom's readiness to cooperate with the United States of America to achieve a comprehensive agreement to cease hostilities in the Gaza Strip, to implement a complete Israeli withdrawal from the sector, and to deliver sufficient humanitarian aid without restrictions; contributing to enhancing efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, ensuring the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Active Participation in the 80th Session of the United Nations

The Minister of Media, Salman bin Yusuf Al-Dosari, stated in his statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session that the Council appreciated the active participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's delegation in the proceedings of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly and the international meetings held within it; thus embodying the status of this country on the global level, its pivotal role in international politics, and its pioneering efforts supporting peace and justice, and activating the principle of dialogue and peaceful solutions at all levels.

The Council of Ministers addressed the success of the Kingdom's intensive efforts in increasing the number of countries recognizing the State of Palestine, and the growing international will to entrench the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

The Kingdom as a Member of the Board of Governors of the "Atomic Energy" Agency

The Minister of Media indicated that the Council of Ministers valued the election of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a member of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which confirms the international community's trust in its active and constructive role and its continuous efforts to enhance joint cooperation in this field; serving global development and peace.

The Council considered the election of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Board after receiving 175 votes out of 184; a high appreciation from member states for the Kingdom's pioneering role and its contributions and initiatives in this sector.

The Council affirmed that the inclusion of the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve in the Man and the Biosphere Program of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reflects the Kingdom's firm commitment to protecting its natural environments, and its ongoing efforts in the fields of biodiversity conservation and achieving sustainable development.

28.8 Billion Riyals for 122 Projects in the Eastern Region

The Council of Ministers praised the outcomes of the second edition of the Global Infrastructure Forum held in Riyadh, which witnessed wide participation from various countries around the world, and the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding to build a sustainable future in this vital sector, enhancing the quality of life and improving the urban landscape.

The Council reviewed the development of water sector services in all regions of the Kingdom, including the inauguration and laying of the foundation stone for 122 projects in the environment, water, and agriculture sectors in the Eastern Region at a cost exceeding 28.8 billion riyals; to achieve environmental and water sustainability, and to enhance production, storage, distribution, and treatment systems, and improve water quality.

Decisions:

The Council of Ministers reviewed the topics listed on its agenda, including topics that the Shura Council participated in studying, and it also reviewed the conclusions reached by both the Political and Security Affairs Council, and the Economic and Development Affairs Council, the General Committee of the Council of Ministers, and the Experts Authority of the Council of Ministers regarding them. The Council concluded with the following:

- Authorizing the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture - or his representative - to negotiate with the Somali side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in the Federal Republic of Somalia in the field of environmental protection, and to sign it.

- Authorizing the Minister of Investment - or his representative - to sign a draft agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Morocco regarding the encouragement and mutual protection of investments, in light of the accompanying draft, and then to submit the final signed version to complete the regulatory procedures.

- Authorizing the Minister of Education - or his representative - to negotiate with the Korean side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in health education, training, and research between the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Health and Welfare in the Republic of Korea, and to sign it.

- Authorizing the Chairman of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority - or his representative - to negotiate with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) regarding a draft cooperation agreement between the Authority and the Organization, and to sign it.

- The Tourism Development Fund joining as an associate member of the World Tourism Organization.

- The Minister of Finance issuing the necessary license for (Easy Bank).

Appointments and Promotions:

Approval of promotions and appointments at the ranks of (fifteenth) and (fourteenth), as follows:

- Promoting Saad bin Salem bin Saad Al-Omairi Al-Muhairi to the position of (Senior Business Consultant) at the rank of (fifteenth) at the General Directorate of Civil Defense.

- Appointing Tarjim bin Salama bin Saidan to the position of (Commander of the Fifteenth Brigade) at the rank of (fifteenth) at the Ministry of National Guard.

- Appointing Saeed bin Masoud bin Mohammed Al-Harithi to the position of (Deputy Emir of Najran Region) at the rank of (fourteenth) in the Emirate of Najran Region.

- Promoting Rida bin Hayel bin Faiz Al-Aleemi Al-Ruwaili to the position of (Office Manager) at the rank of (fourteenth) in the Emirate of Al-Jawf Region.

- Promoting Fahd bin Mohammed bin Nasser bin Dawi to the position of (Branch Manager) at the rank of (fourteenth) at the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.

- Promoting Omar bin Hassan bin Omar Sabagh to the position of (Office Manager) at the rank of (fourteenth) at the Ministry of Media.

- Appointing Malhi bin Hassan bin Mohammed Oqda to the position of (Director General) at the rank of (fourteenth) at the Ministry of Education.

The Council of Ministers also reviewed a number of general topics listed on its agenda, including annual reports from the Saudi Electricity Regulatory Authority, the Efficiency and Government Projects Authority, the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities, the Saudi Center for Energy Efficiency, the Saudi Accreditation Center, the King Abdulaziz Center for Purebred Arabian Horses, and the National Center for Research and Development of Sustainable Agriculture, and the Council took the necessary actions regarding those topics.

"From the Council's Decisions":

1- The Council praised the results of the visit by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, to the Kingdom, and the signing of the "Joint Strategic Defense" agreement aimed at developing aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries.

2- Saudi Arabia welcomes the announcement by the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump's comprehensive plan to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip, to rebuild the sector, and to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid without restrictions.

3- The success of the Kingdom's intensive efforts in increasing the number of countries recognizing the State of Palestine, and the growing international will to entrench the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

4- The election of Saudi Arabia as a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a high appreciation from member states for the Kingdom's pioneering role and its contributions and initiatives in this sector.

5- The membership of the Tourism Development Fund as an associate member of the World Tourism Organization, and the issuance of the necessary license for "Easy Bank" by the Minister of Finance, an agreement to encourage and protect investments with Morocco, and memoranda of understanding with Korea and Somalia in health education and training, and environmental protection.