The Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman in Riyadh on Wednesday, lauded the selection of the Saudi minister of finance to chair the IMF International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC). It also praised the Kingdom’s election as a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council confirm the Kingdom’s standing in the international arena, its prominent role in driving international action. The Cabinet also expressed profound sorrow and sadness upon the passing of Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the late emir of the State of Kuwait, acknowledging his remarkable legacy of generosity and accomplishments. The Cabinet extended congratulations to Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on assuming the leadership of Kuwait, praying for his success, divine guidance, and prosperity as he serves his nation and its brotherly citizens. The Cabinet expressed great appreciation for Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s efforts spearheading the Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030, which was met with success and which reflects the Kingdom’s pivotal influential role and its international standing. The Cabinet reiterated its gratitude to the voting countries and expressed hope that people from all over the world will take part in this event and witness the progress in the Kingdom and Riyadh in various fields, under the Saudi Vision 2030. The Cabinet also reviewed the Crown Prince’s official visit to the State of Qatar; his discussions with the Qatari Emir reaffirmed the solid fraternal relations, mutual commitment to boosting cooperation, and ongoing coordination and consultation on matters of shared concern. The Cabinet commended the outcome of the seventh Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council, as well as the various agreements and memoranda of understanding signed by the two countries. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency after the session, Minister of Media Salman Bin Yousef Al-Dosari said that the Cabinet, upon reviewing the outcome of the 44th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Supreme Council, reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to boosting collective efforts, promoting integration and connectivity, and fostering coordination among member states in all sectors. The Cabinet also emphasized the importance of developing further partnerships with the international community. The Cabinet praised the outcome of the visits to the Kingdom of the presidents of the Federative Republic of Brazil and of the Russian Federation, which reflect the distinguished relations with these two friendly countries, and the determination to strengthen cooperation in various fields, continue coordination to deal with international challenges, and support all efforts to bring about peace and stability in the region and the world. The Cabinet also reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts, at political and humanitarian levels, to stop the Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip, protect civilians and provide assistance to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people in the current crisis. Al-Dosari added that the Cabinet also discussed the international meetings and conferences hosted by the Kingdom over the past days, and commended the about 80 agreements and memoranda of understanding reached at the International Labor Market Conference, which will contribute to keeping pace with the transformations in this sector and invest in opportunities it opens up. The Cabinet authorized the minister of energy to discuss and sign with the Austrian and Philippine sides regarding two draft memoranda of understanding between the governments of Saudi Arabia, Austria, and the Philippines for cooperation in the energy field. It approved a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Saudi Arabia and India for cooperation in the energy field. The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding regarding political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka. It authorized the minister of foreign affairs to sign with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Customs Union a draft headquarters agreement between the government of Saudi Arabia and the GCC Customs Union The Cabinet approved a declaration of intent between the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia and the UK Department for Business and Trade. It authorized the minister of industry and mineral resources to discuss and sign with the Japanese side a draft memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan in the field of mining and mineral resources. The Cabinet approved two memoranda of understanding for cooperation in tourism between the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, with the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism of Montenegro, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan. It approved a memorandum of understanding in the investment field between the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia and the Public Private Partnership Authority of Bangladesh. The Cabinet authorized the minister of economy and planning to hold talks and sign with the Vietnamese side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Economy and Planning of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam for cooperation in the economic field. It authorized the minister of Communications and Information Technology and chairman of the Digital Government Authority to hold talks and sign with the Estonian side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between the Digital Government Authority of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology of Estonia to enhance cooperation in the digital government field. The Cabinet called for establishing a commission to be called (the Saudi Commission for Electronic Games and Sports) according to its organizational structure. It approved 2024 as the Year of Camels. It approved a decision by the Higher Committee for Transport and Logistics, which stipulates: “Approving raising the target of local content in the Road Sector Strategy from 60% to 70% by 2030, in conjunction with the target of the local content of government procurement, as per the Saudi Nationalization Scheme.” — SPA