RIYADH — The Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Tuesday, applauded the new discoveries of natural gas in the Eastern Region and the Empty Quarter by the Saudi Arabian Oil Group (Aramco), which will contribute to boosting the reserves of resources and bolster Saudi Arabia's leading status in the international energy sector

The Cabinet deemed the re-election of Saudi Arabia as a member of UNESCO's Executive Council for the 2023-2027 term a recognition of its efforts in international cooperation and of its endeavors to attain its strategic goals and play a vital role in joint action.

It also reviewed the most significant developments in the national economy and the inflation slowdown, for the fifth consecutive month, which reflects the robustness of the economy and the effectiveness of actions and measures taken by the Kingdom to cope with global increase of inflation.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Bin Yousef Al-Dosari said that the Cabinet tackled regional and international developments, particularly the situation in Gaza Strip.

It reiterated the Kingdom's call for an immediate cessation of fire and the activation of international mechanisms to hold accountable those responsible for the violations and brutal, inhumane acts committed by the occupying forces against unarmed civilians, healthcare facilities, and relief teams.

The Cabinet was briefed on the content of the recent talks that Saudi officials held with representatives of a number of countries, as well as the message the Crown Prince and Prime Minister received from the president of the Republic of Kenya.

The Cabinet commended the positive outcome of the SAUDI-CARICOM Summit, acknowledging its significance to bolstering relations between these countries, at both multilateral and bilateral levels, boosting cooperation in various fields and strengthening efforts to combat climate change, preserve the environment, and support sustainable clean energy initiatives.

The Cabinet highlighted that the summits hosted by the Kingdom so far this year are testimony to its esteemed status and global recognition. They reflect Saudi commitment to enhancing relationships with other nations and international blocs, as well as its crucial role in promoting security, stability and prosperity in the region, and the world as a whole.

The Cabinet authorized the minister of energy to hold talks with the Vietnamese side regarding a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of energy.

It authorized the minister of energy to reach a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic to cooperate in the field of energy.

It approved a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Energy and OPEC Fund for International Development.

The Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement with the government of Pakistan with regard to the arrival of pilgrims.

It approved a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the Saudi-Georgian Coordination Council, to be signed by the minister of foreign affairs.

The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the Qatari Ministry of Culture.

It approved a memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and the Bahraini Ministry of Tourism.

The Cabinet authorized the minister of education to hold talks and sign with the Ministry of National Education in Türkiye a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of public education.

It authorized the minister of commerce and chairman of the board of directors of the General Authority of Foreign Trade to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Maldivian Ministry of Economic Development in the field of trade.

The Cabinet approved the extension of the agreement concluded by Saudi Arabia and the French Republic to avoid double taxation with respect to taxes on income, inheritance and legacies, and of the protocol concerning this matter.

It authorized the minister of communications and information technology and chairman of the board of directors of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission to reach a memorandum of understanding with the Digital Cooperation Organization in the field of communications and information technology.

The Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at) and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). — SPA