Saudi Arabia Asserts Importance of Globally Bolstering Economic, Investment Ties

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired the cabinet session at the Peace Palace in Jeddah (SPA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired the cabinet session at the Peace Palace in Jeddah (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Asserts Importance of Globally Bolstering Economic, Investment Ties

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired the cabinet session at the Peace Palace in Jeddah (SPA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired the cabinet session at the Peace Palace in Jeddah (SPA)

The Saudi cabinet affirmed the importance of bolstering economic and investment connections with diverse nations globally in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which brings unparalleled prospects in fields of mutual benefit.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session at al-Salam Palace in Jeddah. He briefed the meeting on the discussions of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, with the King of Eswatini, Rwanda's President, and Ethiopia's Prime Minister. The discussions mainly focused on the various aspects of bilateral relations across multiple fields.

The cabinet praised the achievements of the Kingdom's joint public and private sector delegation during their visits to various Latin American countries, where multiple memoranda of understanding (MoU) were signed to boost cooperation.

The cabinet highlighted the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening partnerships with the global community across the fields.

The commitment was reinforced during India's 2nd Anti-Corruption Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Twenty (G20).

The meeting also addressed the Riyadh Initiative for Enhancing International Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Cooperation, which achieved substantial milestones within its respective jurisdictions.

Over 161 anti-corruption agencies from 90 countries have become part of the resultant Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network).

The cabinet also lauded the outcomes of the international conference hosted by Saudi Arabia and titled "Communication with the Departments of Religious Affairs, Ifta, and Sheikhdoms in the World."

The conference aligns with the Kingdom's dedication to serving Islam and the Muslim community and its proactive involvement in strengthening unity and collaboration among Islamic countries.

It aims to combat radical ideologies and enhance the values of tolerance and harmonious coexistence among diverse populations. The Kingdom reaffirmed its esteemed mission to propagate the principles of moderation and tolerance.

The cabinet followed up on the latest regional developments and global political changes.

The meeting lauded the endeavors of the UN and the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, which have successfully managed to unload crude oil from the floating "Safer" tanker positioned off Hodeidah port in the Red Sea.

The cabinet addressed local issues as the new academic year drew near. The Kingdom's dedication and consistent attention to the education sector has played a pivotal role in boosting intellectual growth and skill development while fostering research and innovation to equip individuals to excel globally.

It also asserted that caring for education is consistent with caring for all other sectors in the Kingdom, which yielded achievements across every aspect of the economic and social landscape.

The meeting authorized the Minister of Culture, or a deputy, to hold talks with the Panamanian side on a draft MoU for cooperation in the cultural field between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Culture of Panama.

It also allowed the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call, and Guidance, or a deputy, to hold talks with the Belarusian side on a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in Islamic affairs between the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance and the Commission for Religious and Ethnic Affairs of Belarus.

The cabinet approved the Justice Minister, or a deputy, to discuss with counterpart agencies from other countries a draft cooperation agreement on judicial cooperation between Saudi Arabia and other countries. It authorized the Minister to consult counterpart bodies from different countries on a draft MoU with counterpart agencies from other countries.

The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, or a deputy, was authorized to discuss a draft memorandum of understanding with the Japanese side on cooperation in information technology, communications, and digital economy.

The Minister of Economy and Planning, or a deputy, was also approved to discuss a draft memorandum of understanding in economy and planning with the Bahraini Ministry of Finance and National Economy.

Among his decisions, the cabinet approved the establishment of the Insurance Authority and the National Institute for Health Research and amended Article 5 of the bylaw of the King Salman Park Foundation.

The session also appointed Tareef bin Yousef al-Aama, Shabab bin Saad al-Ghamdi, Abdulrahman bin Saad al-Qahtani, Yasser bin Abdulrahman al-Dheem, Abdulrahman bin Abdullah Eiban, and Riyad bin Ali al-Ghamdi as members board of directors of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority and renewing the membership of Badr bin Saqr al-Otaibi in the board of directors.

The cabinet was also briefed on several issues on its agenda and took the necessary measures.



Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

 An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

 An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Saturday the Rapid Support Forces’ attack against a humanitarian aid convoy in Sudan’s Kordofan.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom expressed its strong condemnation of the attack against Al-Kuweik Military Hospital, a humanitarian aid convoy affiliated with the World Food Program, and a vehicle transporting displaced civilians.

“These acts are unjustifiable under any circumstances and are flagrant violations of all humanitarian norms and relevant international agreements,” it stressed.

“The Kingdom called on the RSF to immediately cease these violations and to fulfill their moral and humanitarian obligations by ensuring the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need, in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023,” it added.

The Kingdom reiterated its firm position in support of Sudan’s unity, security, and stability, the need to preserve its legitimate institutions.

It voiced its rejection of “foreign interference and the continued actions of certain parties in supplying illicit weapons, mercenaries, and foreign fighters, despite their stated support for a political solution,” saying such “conduct is a primary factor in prolonging the conflict and exacerbating the suffering of the Sudanese people.”

A drone attack by the RSF hit a vehicle carrying displaced families in central Sudan Saturday, killing at least 24 people, including eight children, a doctors’ group said, a day after a World Food Program aid convoy was targeted.

The attack occurred close to the city of Rahad in North Kordofan province, said the Sudan Doctors Network, which tracks the country’s ongoing war. The vehicle was transporting displaced people who fled fighting in the Dubeiker area, the group said in a statement. Among the dead children were two infants.


OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
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OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) General Secretariat strongly condemned on Saturday the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in Islamabad.

The secretariat stressed its categorical rejection of terrorism in all its forms, especially those targeting places of worship.

It underlined its firm stance in condemning these criminal acts, which are contrary to human values and religious principles.

The OIC offered its sincere condolences to the government and people of Pakistan and to the families of the victims.

It also reiterated its full solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to combat terrorism and boost its security and stability.

At least 30 people killed in a suicide bombing at a Muslim mosque during Friday prayers.


Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
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Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)

Bahrain and France signed on Friday a joint defense cooperation agreement during talks between King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The French presidency said the agreement consolidates cooperation in the field of defense, training and exchange of strategic information.

“This agreement will ⁠also open ‌up ‍new ‍opportunities for industrial ‍cooperation in defense, and strengthen solidarity between our two countries in a ⁠global and regional geopolitical context marked by increasing tensions,” it added.

The agreement was signed by Bahrain’s National Security Adviser and Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and France’s Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Alice Rufo.

Macron highlighted the depth of the historical relations between Bahrain and France, as well as the progress achieved across various domains in support of common interests, reported Bahrain’s state news agency (BNA).

For his part, King Hamad commended the French president’s keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The talks also addressed means to bolster bilateral relations across all sectors to achieve shared interests.

Both sides commended the efforts of the Joint Bahraini-French High Committee. They highlighted the positive outcomes achieved in advancing cooperation and underlined the importance of continuing the committee’s work to expand cooperation across various domains.

The talks addressed regional and international developments, and efforts aimed at resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic solutions and reducing tensions.