Saudi Govt Briefed on Biden’s Visit to Kingdom

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Briefed on Biden’s Visit to Kingdom

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi cabinet was briefed on Tuesday on the visit paid to the Kingdom by US President Joe Biden in mid-July.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the meeting that was held at the al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.

Biden’s official two-day visit to the Kingdom included talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and his attendance of the Gulf-Arab summit.

Biden and Saudi officials tackled the strategic partnership that binds Riyadh and Washington. American and Saudi officials signed 18 agreements during Biden’s visit.

The cabinet was also briefed on the messages received by King Salman from the leaders of Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and Tajikistan and the telephone call Crown Prince Mohammed received from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The ministers hailed the achievements reached during the Kazak president’s visit to Saudi Arabia where he held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed.

Delegations from both countries signed agreements to expand their bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields.

The cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the meetings of the foreign and finance ministers and central bank governors of the G20, held in Bali, Indonesia.

It reiterated Saudi Arabia’s keenness to boost collective efforts aimed at building bridges with regional and international organizations, in order to increase the effectiveness of joint work towards inclusive and sustainable growth and recovery.

The cabinet highlighted Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Donor Support Group between July 2022 and June 2023. The presidency consolidates the Kingdom’s position among the world’s leading countries in providing development and humanitarian aid.

The cabinet hailed the outcomes of the Five-Year Committee meeting on Yemen. The committee includes Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and US. The meeting stressed the importance of the continuation of the truce between the Yemeni parties, full support for the efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy and continued support for the UN humanitarian response plan.

Locally, the ministers stressed the state’s keenness on taking into consideration the neediest citizens as they face the impact of the global rise in prices.

They noted the state’s allocation of SR20 billion in financial support and measures to control the availability of products and price levels, protect and encourage fair competition, and combat and prevent monopolistic practices.

The cabinet applauded Crown Prince Mohammed’s announcement regarding the National Aspirations and Priorities for Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) for the next two decades.

The aspirations and priorities are: Health and Wellness; Sustainable Environment and Supply of Essential Needs; Energy and Industrial Leadership; and Economies of the Future. They will boost the Kingdom’s global competitiveness and leadership in line with Saudi Vision 2030, and strengthen the Kingdom's position as the largest economy in the region.

The cabinet highlighted the efforts of workers and volunteers in all governmental and private sectors, who contributed to the success of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.



21 Countries Sign Makkah Agreement on Cooperation in Combating Corruption

Saudi Arabia looks forward to activating the outputs of the second meeting of the anti-corruption law enforcement agencies to achieve common interests (SPA)
Saudi Arabia looks forward to activating the outputs of the second meeting of the anti-corruption law enforcement agencies to achieve common interests (SPA)
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21 Countries Sign Makkah Agreement on Cooperation in Combating Corruption

Saudi Arabia looks forward to activating the outputs of the second meeting of the anti-corruption law enforcement agencies to achieve common interests (SPA)
Saudi Arabia looks forward to activating the outputs of the second meeting of the anti-corruption law enforcement agencies to achieve common interests (SPA)

The second ministerial meeting of the Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Agencies in the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), hosted in Doha over two days, witnessed the signing of the Makkah Agreement on cooperation among OIC member states in combating corruption by 21 member states.

The large number of signatories on the same day represents a historic milestone, expected to expedite the ratification process and bring the agreement into force. This development underscores the member states’ awareness of the dangers posed by corruption and related crimes, as well as their commitment to strengthening cooperation in addressing these challenges.

In this context, the OIC General Secretariat called on the remaining member states to promptly sign and ratify the Makkah Agreement on anti-corruption cooperation, emphasizing its importance in establishing a framework for collective action against this serious threat.

The agreement aims to enhance collaboration between anti-corruption authorities, ensuring efficient and timely operations. It also advocates for joining the Riyadh Global Initiative (GlobE Network), which provides a legal framework for the direct and swift exchange of information and investigations. This initiative is expected to prevent corruption and limit safe havens for corrupt individuals.

Mazin Al-Kahmous, President of Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to making anti-corruption a core pillar of its Vision 2030.

Speaking at the second ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement authorities from the OIC member states, Al-Kahmous highlighted the far-reaching consequences of cross-border corruption on Islamic societies and their development. He underscored that united efforts at the local and international levels are crucial for fostering prosperity and supporting the sustainable development goals of Islamic nations.

Al-Kahmous further recalled Saudi Arabia’s leadership in hosting and presiding over the first ministerial meeting, which led to the adoption of the Makkah Agreement that he described as an ideal framework for enhancing anti-corruption efforts and strengthening international collaboration in this area.

He also welcomed the adoption of a Saudi-proposed resolution encouraging cooperation between OIC member states, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other relevant organizations to develop methodologies and indicators for measuring corruption.

The first ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement authorities in OIC member states was convened by Saudi Arabia during its chairmanship of the 14th Islamic Summit. Organized in collaboration with the OIC, the event brought together leaders of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies, international organizations, and a distinguished group of local and global experts.