Crown Prince Chairs Cabinet Session in Jeddah

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, chaired the Cabinet session held in Jeddah on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The session began with HRH the Crown Prince expressing gratitude to Allah Almighty for granting the Kingdom the honor of serving the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, and for the success in organizing the Hajj and Umrah seasons, ensuring the comfort and safety of pilgrims.

Context and Background

The Cabinet session, held in Jeddah, reviewed recent diplomatic communications between Saudi Arabia and various brotherly and friendly countries, aimed at strengthening relationships and developing cooperation across multiple fields to serve mutual interests. Minister of Education and acting Minister of Media Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan stated that the Cabinet also reviewed the outcomes of the Kingdom’s participation in regional and international gatherings, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting multilateral approaches to resolve crises and achieve international security and stability.

Key Details

The Cabinet highlighted several significant domestic and international efforts. On the Palestinian issue, the Cabinet emphasized Saudi Arabia’s vigorous efforts, in cooperation with its brothers, on both political and humanitarian fronts to halt Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. It also noted the Kingdom’s international efforts to gain further global recognition of the State of Palestine and its ongoing relief aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip.

Domestically, the Cabinet underscored the launch of the Geographic Survey Project for Renewable Energy sites, the first of its kind globally, which supports the Kingdom’s ambitious renewable energy targets and its goal to export electric power and produce clean hydrogen. The Cabinet also commended the awarding of contracts for the second phase of the Jafurah natural-gas field development and the third phase of the main gas network expansion, as well as new oil and gas discoveries by Saudi Aramco in the Eastern Region and the Empty Quarter. These initiatives are part of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification efforts and its leadership in global energy markets.

Furthermore, the Cabinet praised the progress of the Human Capability Development Program and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, enhancing the Kingdom’s global competitiveness. It noted Saudi Arabia’s advancement to 16th rank in the 2024 World Competitiveness Yearbook and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission’s full membership in the Seoul Accord, the first in the Arab world and the Middle East.

The Cabinet issued several decisions, including authorizing the Minister of Energy to sign an MoU on energy cooperation with Kyrgyzstan, the Minister of Interior to negotiate a driving license agreement with Uzbekistan, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to negotiate a general cooperation agreement with Montenegro. It also approved MoUs with Jordan on environment, with Senegal and Egypt on mineral resources, and with Egypt on health cooperation. Additionally, the Saudi Tourism Authority was approved to join the World Tourism Organization as an affiliated member.

Other approvals included a cooperation agreement with the African Organization for Standardization on clean fuel solutions, a new social-insurance system for new workers, the renewal of the National Program for Community Development in Regions (Tanmiah) for seven years, and the privatization of 14 sports clubs. The Cabinet also approved the final accounts of the General Food Security Authority, the Agricultural Development Fund, and the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.

Implications and Impact

These decisions reflect Saudi Arabia’s proactive approach to international diplomacy and domestic development. The agreements with various countries enhance cooperation in energy, transportation, environment, and health, contributing to global stability and mutual prosperity. The renewable energy and gas projects signal Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable energy and economic diversification, while the social insurance and sports privatization initiatives aim to improve quality of life and stimulate economic activity. The Kingdom’s recognition in competitiveness and education underscores its progress in creating a knowledge-based economy.

Vision 2030 Alignment

These developments are fully aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy, enhance international partnerships, and improve the quality of life for citizens. The focus on renewable energy, industrial development, and social welfare directly supports the Vision’s objectives of a thriving economy and a vibrant society. By strengthening global ties and investing in human capital, the Kingdom continues to solidify its role as a leader in the region and beyond.

20 Questions

Q1. Who chaired the Cabinet session in Jeddah?

A1. His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, chaired the session.

Q2. When was the Cabinet session held?

A2. The Cabinet session was held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Jeddah.

Q3. What did HRH the Crown Prince express gratitude for at the outset?

A3. He expressed gratitude to Allah Almighty for granting the Kingdom the honor of serving the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, and for the success in organizing Hajj and Umrah seasons.

Q4. What did the Cabinet review regarding international communications?

A4. The Cabinet reviewed recent discussions and communications between Saudi Arabia and various brotherly and friendly countries aimed at strengthening relationships and developing cooperation.

Q5. Who is the Minister of Education and acting Minister of Media?

A5. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan is the Minister of Education and acting Minister of Media.

Q6. What international efforts did the Cabinet highlight regarding Palestine?

A6. The Cabinet highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to halt Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, gain global recognition of the State of Palestine, and provide relief aid to Gaza.

Q7. What is the Geographic Survey Project for Renewable Energy sites?

A7. It is the first-of-its-kind project globally, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to renewable energy production and supporting its goal to export electric power and produce clean hydrogen.

Q8. What contracts were awarded for the Jafurah natural-gas field?

A8. Contracts for the second phase of the Jafurah natural-gas field project development program were awarded, along with the third phase of the main gas network expansion project.

Q9. What new discoveries did Saudi Aramco make?

A9. Saudi Aramco made new discoveries of oil and natural gas in the Eastern Region and the Empty Quarter.

Q10. Which programs did the Cabinet commend for enhancing competitiveness?

A10. The Human Capability Development Program and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program were commended for enhancing the Kingdom’s global competitiveness.

Q11. What rank did Saudi Arabia achieve in the World Competitiveness Yearbook Report for 2024?

A11. Saudi Arabia advanced to the 16th rank among the most competitive countries in the world, achieving first positions in several sub-indexes.

Q12. What did the Education and Training Evaluation Commission achieve?

A12. It achieved full membership in the Seoul Accord, becoming the first organization in the Arab world and the Middle East to obtain such membership.

Q13. What MoU was authorized with Kyrgyzstan?

A13. The Minister of Energy was authorized to discuss and sign a draft MoU on cooperation in energy with the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

Q14. What agreement was authorized with Uzbekistan?

A14. The Minister of the Interior was authorized to negotiate a draft cooperation agreement on using and replacement of driving licenses with the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Q15. What agreement was authorized with Montenegro?

A15. The Minister of Foreign Affairs was authorized to negotiate a draft general cooperation agreement with Montenegro.

Q16. What MoU was approved with Senegal?

A16. An MoU between the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and Senegal’s Ministry of Mines and Geology for cooperation in mineral resources was approved.

Q17. What MoU was approved with Egypt in the health field?

A17. The Minister of Health was authorized to negotiate a draft MoU with Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population for cooperation in health fields.

Q18. What status was granted to the Saudi Tourism Authority?

A18. The Saudi Tourism Authority was approved to join the World Tourism Organization as an affiliated member.

Q19. What social-insurance system was approved?

A19. A new social-insurance system for new workers was approved, while continuing the application of current systems to existing subscribers with some exceptions.

Q20. What was approved regarding sports clubs?

A20. The Cabinet approved the draft document for the privatization of 14 sports clubs and granted the Supervisory Committee for Privatization in the Sports Sector authority to issue approvals.

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