JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet reviewed the nation’s security and foreign policies at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Tuesday aimed at enhancing peace and stability in the region and across the globe.
At the start of the session chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Cabinet was briefed on two messages received by King Salman and the crown prince from the presidents of the UAE and Djibouti.
The ministers were also briefed about the meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed and the president of Egypt, which saw discussions take place on developing closer ties in various sectors.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari said that the foreign policy discussions focused on ensuring peace and stability, in partnership with various friendly nations, in the region and globally.
The Cabinet also highlighted the security agreements signed between Saudi Arabia and the UK.
On domestic affairs, Al-Dosari stated that the Kingdom’s unemployment rate fell from 9.9 percent in the third quarter of 2022, to 8 percent in the fourth quarter.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman heading the session. (SPA)
This was a result of the legislative and other reforms under Saudi Vision 2030, which ensured the country’s remarkable economic growth compared to the rest of the world.
The Cabinet issued various decisions including approving a cooperation agreement between the Kingdom and Greece on crime; and authorizing the Foreign Ministry to draft a political memorandum of understanding with Sri Lanka.
The minister of foreign affairs was also authorized to discuss a headquarters agreement with the UN Human Settlements Programme.
Cabinet further approved a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Culture and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization.
A memorandum of understanding was authorized between the Kingdom’s Finance Ministry and the treasuries of Britain and Northern Ireland to enhance cooperation in the financial services and the public finance sector.
There were other memorandums of cooperation approved, on social development with South Africa, direct investment with China, and money laundering and terrorism with Oman.
Approval was further given for Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University to draft an education agreement with German company Merck.
The Cabinet approved the appointment of Eng. Abdurrahman bin Saleh Al-Faqih, a representative of the private sector, who is not an investor in the ports sector, as a member of the board of directors of the Saudi Ports Authority.
Other approvals included organizational structure and manual of the Ministry of Tourism; the two final accounts of the General Authority for Competition; and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority accounts for the previous fiscal year.
The Cabinet also reviewed the annual reports of the Saudi Export Development Authority, the National Industrial Development Center, Prince Sultan Defense Studies & Research Center, and King Salman Park Foundation.
