Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman lauded the significant efforts that ensured the success of this year's Hajj season. During the Cabinet session in Jeddah on Tuesday, the Crown Prince praised the exceptional work done to facilitate the pilgrimage, allowing pilgrims to perform their rituals with ease and peace. He expressed gratitude to God for the Kingdom’s honor of serving the sacred sites and for the successful organization of the Hajj and Umrah seasons.
The Cabinet session highlighted the recent diplomatic engagements between Saudi Arabia and friendly nations, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and fostering cooperation across various fields. The Council reviewed the Kingdom's participation in regional and international forums, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to multilateralism, crisis resolution, and global stability.
The Cabinet also addressed the Kingdom’s efforts in collaboration with other nations to halt the Israeli aggression against Palestinians, support international recognition of the State of Palestine, and provide humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Among the significant topics discussed was the launch of the Geographic Survey Project for Renewable Energy Sites, marking a global first in renewable energy initiatives. This project aligns with Saudi Arabia's ambitious goals for renewable energy production and contributes to its plans to export electrical energy and produce clean hydrogen.
The session covered the awarding of contracts for the second phase of the Jafurah field development program and the expansion of the Kingdom’s main gas network. These initiatives underscore Saudi Arabia’s ongoing economic diversification and its leadership in the global energy market.
The Cabinet celebrated Saudi Aramco's new oil and gas discoveries, acknowledging the country’s natural blessings. Additionally, the Council praised the progress in human capability development and the national industries and logistics services programs, which enhance Saudi citizens' global competitiveness and strengthen the Kingdom’s position as an industrial leader and logistics hub.
The Council recognized Saudi Arabia’s rise to the 16th rank among the world’s most competitive countries, as reported in the 2024 Competitiveness Yearbook. This achievement is attributed to improved business legislation, infrastructure, a robust economy, and a globally engaged society.
The Cabinet acknowledged the Education and Training Evaluation Commission's full membership in the Seoul Accord, marking the first Arab accrediting body in the Middle East to receive this recognition. This membership highlights the excellence of Saudi university education on an international scale.
Several approvals were granted during the session, including the Saudi Tourism Authority's associate membership in the World Tourism Organization and a cooperation agreement with the African Organization for Standardization on clean fuel solutions for food provision. The Cabinet also approved a new Social Insurance Law for new employees and extended the National Program for Community Development to seven years. Additionally, the privatization of 14 sports clubs was endorsed, with the Supervisory Committee for Privatization in the Sports Sector authorized to approve further privatizations.
