Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Council of Ministers reaffirmed its support for facilitating the safe return of displaced Palestinians to their homes in the Gaza Strip. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh on Tuesday.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said that the Cabinet backed the content of the statement issued by the six-party Arab ministerial meeting on Palestine, held recently in Cairo, which categorically rejected any move for forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza while emphasizing the need for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement. The Cabinet stressed the need to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and ensure the safe and unimpeded delivery of more humanitarian aid and relief in the Gaza Strip.

At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on his meetings with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as well as on his phone conversation with European Council President António Costa.

Al-Dossary said that the Cabinet discussed the latest developments with regard to Saudi Arabia's cooperation with other countries and international organizations. The Cabinet also reviewed progress on collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening communication and coordination, contributing to global security and stability, and fostering an environment conducive to regional development and prosperity for all its people.

The Cabinet commended the outcomes of the second meeting of the Saudi-Japanese strategic dialogue, which demonstrated the strength of bilateral relations and the shared commitment to advancing it to new heights across various sectors to serve the interests of both friendly nations and their peoples.

The Cabinet deemed the Kingdom's hosting of the INTERPOL Regional Bureau as a significant step that will enhance the organization's operational effectiveness in the MENA region, underscoring the international recognition of the Kingdom's pivotal role in combating extremism, terrorism, and crime in all its forms.

Al-Dossary said the Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the economic gatherings held in Riyadh recently, commending the successful conclusion of the Global Labor Market Conference, during which 70 agreements and memoranda of understanding between government agencies and private companies were signed to benefit over 300,000 individuals. These initiatives aimed to empower national cadres and increase their participation in development, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Cabinet acknowledged the significant international participation at the fourth Real Estate Future Forum, which saw the signing of numerous agreements and deals that are expected to contribute to the sector's development and facilitate the realization of its future potential, ultimately enhancing the Kingdom's position as a globally attractive destination for real estate investment.

The Cabinet approved transferring the authority to issue licenses for the professions of accounting and auditing, financial consulting for non-securities, providing zakat and tax services, and providing accounting services, from the Ministry of Commerce to the Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA), and amending a number of articles of the Accounting and Auditing Profession System, and organizing the SOCPA.

It approved the inclusion of the Insurance Authority in the membership of the Anti-Money Laundering Permanent Committee.

Other decisions of the Cabinet included endorsing a cooperation agreement for the exchange and protection of personal data and information for security purposes between the Saudi and Qatari governments.

The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on political consultations between the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and another MoU between the Saudi government and the governments of Tajikistan and Azerbaijan on mutual exemption from short-stay visas for holders of diplomatic, special, and service passports.

The Cabinet authorized Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call, and Guidance or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Tanzanian side a draft MoU in the field of Islamic affairs between the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call, and Guidance and the Tanzanian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

The Council approved two MoUs for cooperation in the field of social development between the Saudi government and governments of Qatar and Kuwait, and a cooperation agreement between the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the World Economic Forum to implement the project of securing minerals for global development and prosperity, and authorizing Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources or his deputy to sign it.

It approved a MoU for cooperation in the health field between the Saudi Ministry of Health and Cuban Ministry of Public Health, and another MoU between the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation and the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority in the field of airports and seaplanes.

The Cabinet authorized Minister of Media and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Turkmen side a draft MoU for cooperation in the field of radio and television between the Saudi Broadcasting Authority and the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Television, Radio Broadcasting, and Cinematography.

The Council approved a MoU between the General Department of Financial Investigation at the Saudi Presidency of State Security and Pakistan's Financial Monitoring Unit regarding cooperation in exchanging investigations related to money laundering, terrorist financing, and related crimes.