RIYADH — The Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Tuesday afternoon at Al-Yamamah Palace here, approved a bylaw for energy supplies among a slew of key decisions, including welcoming the adoption of Makkah Convention by OIC member states.

At the outset of the session, the Cabinet was briefed on the discussions that took place between the Crown Prince and Prime Minister with Georgia Prime Minister during his official visit to Saudi Arabia, where they reviewed the close friendly relations between the two countries and ways to develop them in various fields. Views were also exchanged on the current regional and international conditions.

The Cabinet then addressed the overall work of Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy during the past days, in light of Saudi Arabia’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with brotherly and friendly countries and continue to support international action in a way that contributes to the development and prosperity and building a better future for the region and its peoples.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi said that the Cabinet reiterated what the Kingdom affirmed during its participation in the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership in Jordan. Saudi Arabia stressed its support for Iraq in maintaining its stability, preserving its sovereignty, supporting its development efforts, restoring its historical status, and advancing it to a new stage, while making sure that the national interest tops all other considerations.

The Cabinet welcomed the adoption of the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Convention by the First Ministerial Meeting of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Agencies in the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), presided over by Saudi Arabia, as the convention aims to enhance cooperation and contribute to preventing corruption crimes and denying safe havens for the corrupt.

The Cabinet considered Saudi Arabia’s ranking first among donor countries in offering official development assistance (humanitarian and development) in 2021, according to data published by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a reflection of the approach of this state, as Saudi Arabia, throughout its history, has been a giving country and a supporter for the needy wherever they are.

The Cabinet also approved a memorandum of understanding in the field of renewable energy, energy efficiency and rationalization of its use between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.

It approved a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Saudi Arabia and the Hellenic Republic in the energy field. It also approved a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Sport in Saudi Arabia and the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport for cooperation in the sports field, and it approved a memorandum of understanding to establish the Saudi-Thai Coordination Council.

The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Health to hold talks with the Cuban side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in health fields between the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Public Health in Cuba.

It approved a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of news between the Saudi Press Agency and the Ministry of Information of Oman, represented by the Oman News Agency, and it approved a cooperation agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Djibouti in the field of maritime transport.

It approved an agreement between Saudi Arabia and the Czech Republic in the air services field, and it approved a cooperation agreement between the Presidency of State Security of Saudi Arabia and the National Directorate for Documentation and State Protection of the Comoros in the field of combating terrorism and its financing.

It amended the organization of the General Authority for Competition, issued by Cabinet Decision No. 55 on 20/1/1439 A.H., by depositing all the revenues of the authority in the current account of the Ministry of Finance in the Saudi Central Bank.

The Cabinet amended Article (61) of the Unified Customs Act of the Gulf Cooperation Council, approved by Royal Decree No. (M/41) and dated 3/11/1423 A.H. pertaining to the establishment of a committee to determine the value of imported goods, as set out in the decision. It also reviewed several issues on its agenda and took necessary procedures regarding them. — SPA