JEDDAH — The Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at Al-Salam Palace here, on Tuesday approved the transfer of the headquarters of the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority from King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh Governorate to Riyadh City.

The Cabinet was informed of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman’s official visit to the French Republic, following the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and praised the distinguished relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen them in all fields.

The Cabinet discussed the latest developments following talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, including the progress made in the process of resuming diplomatic and consular relations between the two countries and coordination on a number of regional and international issues of common interest.

The Cabinet also thanked countries that supported Riyadh's bid to host Expo 2030, which constitutes an opportunity for the Kingdom to share with other countries and peoples of the world its story of unprecedented transformation, and to provide a platform that enables the international community to cooperate closely for a better future and to develop innovative solutions that contribute to addressing the pressing challenges facing the world.

At the outset of the session, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques welcomed guests from all around the world who arrived in the Kingdom to perform the Hajj rituals this year, 1444 Hijri, reaffirming the pride that this country takes in serving visitors to the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, and in ensuring their security, safety and comfort.

The Cabinet commended the efforts exerted by the authorities concerned with pilgrims' affairs to facilitate their arrival and provide them with high-quality services, in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030, as well as the Kingdom's historical projects at the two holy mosques and the holy sites in general.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the Cabinet session, State Minister, Cabinet Member for Shoura Council Affairs and Acting Minister of Media Dr. Issam Bin Saad Bin Saeed said that the Cabinet was briefed on the Kingdom's foreign policy activities, particularly those aiming to strengthen cooperation with other countries and advance joint work toward broader horizons in all fields.

Bin Saeed said that the Cabinet praised the continuous support given to the Kingdom's various sectors, which helps them continue to achieve substantial leaps in international indicators, a fact reflected in the Kingdom's securing advanced positions in the Cybersecurity Index published in the World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY), published by the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD), UNCTAD's Liner Shipping Connectivity Index and the IATA Air Connectivity Index.

The Cabinet also tackled several issues on its agenda, some co-studied by the Shoura Council, and reviewed the decisions taken by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, the Council of Political and Security Affairs, the Cabinet's General Committee and the Cabinet's Bureau of Experts.

The Cabinet authorized the minister of interior to hold talks with the Romanian side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the civil defense and civil protection field between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Romania.

It authorized the minister of environment, water and agriculture to hold talks with the Kuwaiti side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia and the Environment Public Authority of Kuwait in the field of preserving, rehabilitating and protecting the environment.

It approved a memorandum of scientific and educational cooperation between the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation of the Republic of Guinea.

The Cabinet approved Saudi Arabia's accession to the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.

It authorized the minister of environment, water and agriculture and chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center of Meteorology (NMC) to discuss with the British side a draft memorandum of understanding between the National Center of Meteorology of Saudi Arabia and the Met Office of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland in the field of meteorology.

It authorized the general supervisor of the National Center for Archives and Records to discuss with the Uzbek side a draft memorandum of understanding between the National Center for Archives and Records and the Uzbek Archives Agency of Uzbekistan.

The Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement between the Presidency of State Security of Saudi Arabia and the General Directorate of Studies and Documentation of Morocco in the field of counter-terrorism and its funding.

It approved a memorandum of understanding between the Institute of Public Administration of Saudi Arabia and the State Council of Egypt. It also approved the participation of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture's participation in the World Water Council membership.

The Cabinet approved the final accounts of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission, the Public Corporation for Irrigation, and the National Competitiveness Center for previous fiscal years. — SPA