The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has chaired the Cabinet session in NEOM, which discussed several issues, including efforts to enhance international multilateral cooperation to confront water challenges.
The King briefed the Cabinet on Tuesday on conversations that took place with leaders of several countries over the past days regarding means of enhancing relations with the Kingdom in various fields.
In statements to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari said the Cabinet discussed reports submitted by follow-up committees tasked with coordinating between the Kingdom and various countries. The reports detail the latest efforts of the committees to consolidate cooperation and integration bonds with these countries.
The minister said the Cabinet looks forward to further advancement of joint work considering the distinguished relations and historic bonds bringing together Saudi Arabia and the brotherly countries.
The Cabinet discussed the efforts made by the Kingdom in enhancing international multilateral cooperation to face water challenges around the world and taking the initiative to help tackle them.
Such efforts to deal with water challenges include the establishment of a Riyadh-based Global Water Organization that aims to develop and integrate joint work between states and organizations in the water field to achieve sustainable development goals.
The minister stated that the Cabinet reviewed regional and international developments, as well as the efforts being made in these areas, reiterating the significance of cooperation and the consolidation of joint endeavors to achieve stability, foster peace, and promote global development.
The Cabinet addressed items on its agenda and issued several decisions, such as authorizing the minister of energy, or a deputy, to hold discussions with Italy on a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Saudi and Italian governments for cooperation in the field of energy.
The Cabinet also approved a draft MoU on the establishment of the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC) between the Kingdom’s Ministry of Tourism and the following parties: the Ministry of Tourism in South Africa; the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture in Ghana; and the Costa Rican Tourism Institute.
The Cabinet authorized the president of the Islamic University of Madinah, or a deputy, to hold discussions with the Oxford Center for Islamic Studies regarding a draft MoU in the fields of science, research, academia, and knowledge exchange between the University and the Center in the United Kingdom.
It also authorized the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, who is also the chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Space Agency (SSA), or a deputy, to discuss with India a draft MoU between the SSA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in the field of space activities for peaceful purposes.
The Cabinet further authorized the President of the General Court of Audit (GCA), or a deputy, to discuss with India a draft MoU between the GCA and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India for cooperation in the field of accounting, auditing, and professional work.
The Cabinet also approved the policy of “Open Access to Government-Funded Research Infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
