During the Cabinet meeting held at Irqah Palace on Tuesday, King Salman, custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, extended his best wishes to all citizens and Muslims everywhere on the occasion of Ramadan, and hoped that this year's holy month of Ramadan would bring hope and peace to all of humanity.
Visitors to the Two Holy Mosques should continue to be served in the most efficient and effective way possible to ensure they perform their rituals in peace and tranquility.
Domestically, the Cabinet stressed that the positive ratings credit rating agencies have of the Kingdom's economy reflect the effectiveness of the reforms undertaken by the state, including improving public finance management, improving financial planning, and increasing efficiency in resource use under the financial sustainability program.
The Minister of Media Salman Bin Yousef Al-Dosari, in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, said that the Kingdom's climbing 15 places in the Global Innovation Index 2022, as shown by the World Intellectual Property Organization, is a reflection of the continued interest and support the state attaches to upgrading the quality of research, development and innovation sector, which enhances the Kingdom's global competitiveness and leadership, in line with the Kingdom Vision 2030.
Al-Dosari said that the Cabinet also reviewed the issues discussed at meetings and talks held by the Kingdom's senior officials and their counterparts with a view to strengthening relations in a way that will strengthen Saudi Arabia's role and status on the international and regional stages.
According to the Cabinet, the Kingdom participated in the 49th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where it reaffirmed its support for joint action in the humanitarian and development fields, as well as its unwavering commitment to coexistence and mutual respect among the world's peoples.
In addition, the Cabinet referred to the Kingdom's pledge during the International Donors' Conference, held in Brussels, to support the people affected by earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and to help them mitigate the impact of the earthquakes and restore normality. Such efforts reflect the Kingdom's constant commitment to show solidarity with affected communities around the world and help them meet their basic needs.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture and the United Mexican States' Ministry of Culture have signed a memorandum of understanding for cultural cooperation.
A draft memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and the Federal Republic of Somalia Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs was authorized to be discussed and signed with the Somali side in the field of Islamic affairs.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology have signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of digital economy.
In addition, it approved a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Saudi Arabia and South Africa to promote direct investment.
In the field of maritime transport, the Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement between Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
A draft agreement for air services between the government of Saudi Arabia and the government of Poland was authorized to be signed by the Minister of Transport and Logistics and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Civil Aviation.
A draft cooperation memorandum of understanding between the ETEC of Saudi Arabia and the ALECSO for evaluating and accrediting Arab language curricula and programs has been authorized by the Cabinet for discussion and signing with the Chairman of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission.
Public Prosecution Offices of Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan have signed a memorandum of understanding on combating terrorism, its financing, money laundering, and related offenses (predicate offenses).
Human Rights Commission has been added to the secondment and employment committee of regional and international organizations.
The Cabinet renewed the membership of Dr. Mohammed Bin Said Al-Ghamdi and Dr. Fouad Bin Amin Bouqari on the board of directors of the National Centre for Social Studies and Research and appointed Dr. Hamdi Bin Hamid Al-Maramhi, Dr. Noura Bint Faraj Al-Musaed, Dr. Nouf Bint Abdulaziz Al-Ghamdi, and Dr. Fahd Bin Ali Al-Ilayyan as members of the center's board.
