Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Chairs Cabinet's Virtual Session

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister, chaired today the Cabinet's virtual session.

At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the contents of the telephone call he received from Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, during which they reviewed the outcomes of the recently-concluded 41st Session of GCC Supreme Council held in Al-Ula governorate, citing its enhancement of GCC and Arab unity and cohesion.

The Cabinet expressed thanks and appreciation for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince for their support for the health sector and their continuing care of the health and interest of citizens and expatriates since the outbreak of novel coronavirus.

The Cabinet paid tribute to the Kingdom’s leadership for its firm instructions on taking all necessary precautionary and preventive measures to guarantee the safety of citizens and expatriates through treating patients, and providing them with free vaccines.

The Cabinet confirmed that the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince to take the vaccine themselves comes within their keenness on prevention from the disease and to enhance the principle of public health in the Kingdom.

The Cabinet welcomed the announcement issued by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Chairman of the NEOM Company Board of Directors, regarding the launch of THE LINE city project in its capacity as an unprecedented example of developing a world-class future city living in harmony with nature in an innovative civilizational environment with its societies being run through artificial intelligence, empowering humans, preserving the environment and providing a balanced life between innovative-based business environment and an exceptional life quality that enhances economic diversity through creating 380,000 job opportunities and adding SR180 billion to the gross domestic product by 2030.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the meeting, Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, Acting Minister of Media, pointed out that the Cabinet reviewed a number of reports on the developments of coronavirus domestically and internationally as well as the latest statistics of the pandemic in the Kingdom in view of an outstanding decrease of confirmed cases, surge of recoveries and decrease of active and critical cases. The reports also included the efforts being exerted to open additional vaccine centers throughout the country and equip them with the basic services and medical and technical staff.

The Cabinet emphasized that the implementation of allowing citizens to travel abroad and return to the Kingdom, lifting ban on international flights and fully opening of land, sea and air outlets, starting from March 31, 2021, in accordance with the essential precautions and measures to combat the spread of the Coronavirus, in coordination with pertinent authorities.

The Cabinet reviewed a number of issues, latest developments and events on the international as well as regional stages, reiterating the Kingdom welcoming of the US administration designation of the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization, adding its leaders to the terrorist list and looking forward that such a step would contribute to put an end to theirs and their backers' acts, as well, and to thwart their dangers off the Yemeni people, in addition to the international security, peace and economy and that such a designation may lead to back up and make the political endeavor in place a success, in order to put an end to the crisis in Yemen and reaching a comprehensively political solution, in accordance with the three terms of reference.

The Cabinet expressed the Kingdom strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attack that took place, in West Niger, and standing along the side of the Republic of Niger in solidarity against terrorism, in all of its forms and manifestations.

The Cabinet reviewed topics on its agenda, including some being co-studied by the Shura Council. The Cabinet was also briefed on the outcomes reached by the Economic and Development Affairs Council, the Political and Security Affairs Council, the General Committee of the Council of Ministers, and the Cabinet's Experts Commission with regard to the agenda.

The Cabinet issued the following decisions:

First: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Energy - or his representative - to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany to cooperate in the field of Hydrogen.

The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Interior - or his representative - to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of cooperation between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the United States of America in the field of combating smuggling and drug trafficking.

Third: The Cabinet approved to add a Paragraph (3) to Article (6) of Anti-harassment Crime Law, issued by Royal Decree No. (M / 96) dated 9/16/1439 AH, as follows: It is permissible to include the sentence issued determining the penalties referred to in this article and to publish its summary at the expense of the convicted person in one or more local newspapers, or in any other appropriate means, according to the gravity of the crime and its impact on society.

Fourth: The Cabinet approved to amend paragraphs (1) and (2) of Article (3) of the National Committee for Following up Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Initiative for Dialogue among Followers of Religions and Cultures - issued by Cabinet Resolution No. (12) dated 1/13/1437 AH, regarding the formation of the Committee.

Fifth: The Cabinet approved to transfer the Madinah Hospitals Complex (the General Hospital with a capacity of 500 beds, the Obstetrics, Gynecology and Children's Hospital with a capacity of 500 beds, and Al-Amal Complex for Mental Health with a capacity of 246 beds) into a medical city.

Sixth: The Cabinet approved to amend the organization of the Saudi Contractors Authority, issued by Cabinet Resolution No. (510) on 11/23/1436 AH.

Seventh: The Cabinet approved the amendment of the Law on Trademarks of the GCC states, approved by Royal Decree No. (M / 51) dated 7/26/1435 AH and was also approved by the GCC Supreme Council in its 40th session.

Eighth: The Cabinet approved a number of promotions at the 14th and 15th ranks and a post of Minister Plenipotentiary.

The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda and took relevant recommendations.

SPA