NEOM, December 28, 2021, SPA -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet‘s virtual session today. At the outset of the session, the Cabinet thanked Allah Almighty for the bestowed blessings of security and stability on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the programs and projects included in the State General Budget for the 2022 fiscal year (1443/1444 Hijri), whereas the programs and projects aim to increase human development, continue economic growth and diversification as well as financial sustainability and place further attention to the security and health of citizens and residents. They also demonstrate the determination to continue implementing economic initiatives and reforms to realize the targets of Saudi Vision 2030. The Cabinet within the same context stressed the keenness on preserving and enhancing the Kingdom’s gains as well as continuing working with all resources and capabilities to achieve the goals and aspirations of citizens regarding continuous improvement in the quality of life, development of facilities and services, the educational environment, support for housing plans, increased investment and employment opportunities, optimal utilization of available resources, in addition to raising the level of transparency and efficiency of government expenditure in order to promote growth and development rates. Then, the Cabinet addressed the outcomes of the official visits of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for the Arab States and the talks with the leaders of the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait. The Cabinet praised the outcomes of the visits namely the concluded agreements and initiatives. The Cabinet also commended the outcomes of 42nd Session of GCC Supreme Council, which was held in Riyadh, to enhance the Gulf action and push it towards wider horizons, in addition to support cooperation, interdependence, integration and coordination in all fields, in a manner that achieves the aspirations of the citizens of the GCC as well as the unity of ranks among its members, and consolidates security, stability and prosperity for the region and its peoples. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi said that the Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the meetings of the Follow-up and Political Consultation Committee between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Republic of Egypt. The outcomes included a consensus in visions between the two countries regarding a number of issues and crises facing the region and the world. The two countries agreed to continue their efforts to support the security and stability of the peoples of the region, stressing the importance of joint Arab action and rejecting any attempts by regional parties to interfere in the affairs of Arab countries. The Cabinet followed the development of events at the regional and international levels, reiterating the Kingdom‘s permanent position on supporting the Yemeni government, Saudi Arabia‘s keenness to realize security, stability and development for the Yemeni people, and pushing all efforts to reach a political solution based on the Gulf Initiative and its executive mechanism, outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216. The Cabinet applauded the efforts of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen in confronting and thwarting the attempts of the Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militia to target civilians and civilian objects, and neutralizing its hostile capabilities in accordance with international law and its customary rules. The Council touched on Saudi Arabia’s interest in humanitarian work and support for the needy people across the globe, in light of its operation of an airlift and land bridge to the Republic of Afghanistan carrying urgent relief, humanitarian and food aid. The Cabinet underlined the content of the Kingdom‘s speech delivered at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as it called on the countries of the world and international organizations to meet the humanitarian needs and sustainable aid for Afghanistan and its people. The Cabinet considered Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science’s (ALECSO) selection of Diriyah as the capital of Arab culture for 2030 as a culmination of its march, historical status, and cultural richness that made it one of the most prominent sites of great movement with a cultural impact. The Cabinet stated that Saudi Arabia’s election and winning a seat in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council is a representation of the unlimited support that the maritime transport sector enjoys from the government. It is also a recognition of the Kingdom’s position at the international level, great role in the maritime transport industry, as well as its contribution to initiatives relevant to the security of marine and the marine environment. The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda and issued the following decisions: First: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Energy - or his representative - to discuss and sign with the Ugandan side a draft memorandum of understanding between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the Republic of Uganda in the field of renewable energy. Second: The Cabinet approved the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia‘s accession to The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille). The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Foreign Affairs - or his representative - to complete the necessary legal procedures for the Kingdom’s accession to the aforementioned agreement. Third: The Cabinet approved an amendment of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the agricultural field between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the Republic of Iraq. Fourth: The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of education and a memorandum of cooperation in the field of higher education and scientific research between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the State of Kuwait. Fifth: The Cabinet approved an amendment of the Cabinet‘s Resolution No. (316) dated 08/07/1436H, to be as follows: The Second Provision of the Cabinet‘s Resolution No. (353) dated 25/12/1432H, which was amended by the Cabinet‘s Resolution No. (197) dated 23/03/1438H, is applied only, with regard to individual employment in the activities of agriculture, grazing, horse breeding and racing, in the cases where the number of workers in these activities exceeds six workers. Sixth: The Cabinet approved the Regulation of Evidence. The Cabinet also reviewed a number of general topics on its agenda and took the necessary measures regarding these topics. --SPA 17:34 LOCAL TIME 14:34 GMT 0019 www.spa.gov.sa/w1670997