JEDDAH — The Cabinet session, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at Al-Salam Palace on Tuesday, commended the Kingdom's launch of the scientific mission at the International Space Station (ISS), where two Saudi astronauts are on board.

The move is bound to contribute to attaining scientific results that serve humanity and help achieve the aspirations of this country and the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 in this area, the Cabinet said, while wishing the astronauts success in their mission and a safe return.

The Cabinet applauded the Kingdom's talented students who received awards at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2023), which is the result of continuous government efforts to improve the quality of education and bring it in line with the best global practices.

The Cabinet also tackled several reports on developments and events in the regional and international arenas, including updates on the situation in Sudan, and welcomed the Kingdom’s contribution to the signing of a short-term ceasefire agreement and the humanitarian arrangements made by the parties to the conflict, expressing hope that talks will bring about a permanent halt of hostilities and activate the political process.

Earlier, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the content of the message he received from the King of Bahrain regarding relations between the two countries.

The Cabinet also reviewed the results of the 32nd Arab Summit presided over by the Kingdom, which were positive and went over the Jeddah Declaration, which is bound to promote joint action and solidarity to face the challenges and difficulties that the Arab world is going through, and thus contribute to achieving the goals and aspirations for a promising future.

The Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom's constant keenness to unite the Arab world and interest in everything that would provide conditions for stability and prosperity in the region, particularly issues related to sustainable development in its various dimensions, including working on a number of initiatives aimed at advancing joint cooperation in the cultural, economic, social and environmental fields during the presidency of the current summit.

After the session, Minister of Media Salman Bin Yousef Al-Dosari said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the Cabinet was briefed on the meetings of the Crown Prince with the leaders of several Arab countries and with the president of Ukraine.

The Cabinet also reviewed the outcome of the fourth session of the Saudi-Algerian Political Consultation Committee and the fourth meeting of the Political, Security and Military Committee of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council, commending the steps taken to boost relations and saying that it was looking forward to continuing efforts to boost prospects of cooperation in various areas.

The Cabinet also said that the Kingdom’s improved indicators concerning the number of international tourists and revenues for 2022, as per the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is a reflection of the country's interest in promoting and developing this sector and raising its contribution to the GDP, in accordance with the Saudi Vision 2030.

The Cabinet authorized the minister of energy to sign a draft general agreement for the establishment of the Arab common market for electricity.

It approved a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Energy of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia regarding cooperation in the energy field.

It also approved a cooperation agreement between the government of Saudi Arabia and the government of Egypt in the field of combating crime.

The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the cultural field between the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).

It authorized the minister of culture to hold talks with the Indian side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the cultural field between the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Culture of India.

It approved a memorandum of understanding in the field of tourism between the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of Oman.

It authorized the minister of investment to hold talks with the Chilean side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Economy of Chile for cooperation in encouraging the direct investment.

The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding in the field of academic, medical, training and research services between Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University of Saudi Arabia and the General Command of the Bahrain Defense Force of Bahrain.

It authorized the minister of transport and logistics services to discuss with the Kuwaiti side a draft agreement between the government of Saudi Arabia and the government of Kuwait regarding the railway link project between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

It authorized the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Competition to discuss with the Omani side a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of promoting competition and combating monopolistic practices between the General Authority for Competition of Saudi Arabia and the Competition Protection and Monopoly Prevention Centre in Oman.

The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between the General Authority for Competition of Saudi Arabia and the Competition Authority of the Arab Republic of Egypt regarding cooperation in the field of promoting competition and combating monopolistic practice.

It authorized the minister of media, chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Commission for Audiovisual Media to discuss with the Azerbaijani side a draft memorandum of understanding between the General Commission for Audiovisual Media of Saudi Arabia and the Audiovisual Council of Azerbaijan in the field of audiovisual media.

It authorized the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to discuss with the GCC General Secretariat (Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States) regarding a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of training and educational work between the Education and Training Evaluation Commission of Saudi Arabia And the GCC General Secretariat (Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States).

The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding for cooperation and exchange of news between the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) of Saudi Arabia and the South African Government News Agency of the Republic of South Africa.

It approved the document of mechanisms and requirements for issuing visit and transit visas. It okayed the amendment of the Cabinet Resolution No. (94) dated 5/2/1442 AH issued regarding the controls for transferring students on scholarships outside the Kingdom to study inside the Kingdom.

The Cabinet approved the appointment of Dr. Saad Bin Mohammad Al Hamlan as a member representing the private sector on the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information.

It okayed the membership of Dr. Awad Bin Metrik Al-Juhani, Dr. Mohammad Bin Yaslam Shubraq, and Dr. Mohammad Bin Khalid Al-Saadoun in the Board of Directors of the National Center of Wildlife, among the specialists and experts in the field of work of the center.

The Cabinet approved the final accounts of the Human Resources Development Fund and Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, for the previous year. — SPA