Crown Prince Chairs Cabinet Session, Reviews Global and Domestic Affairs

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held in Jeddah on March 18, 2025, addressing a wide range of domestic, regional, and international issues. The session reviewed the latest developments in the Arab, regional, and international arenas, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s steadfast positions, and issued several decisions aimed at enhancing cooperation and advancing the goals of Vision 2030.

Context and Background

The weekly Cabinet session, held under the leadership of HRH the Crown Prince, serves as a key platform for shaping Saudi Arabia’s policies and strategic directions. During the session, HRH the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on his recent telephone conversations with President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of the Italian Republic, underscoring the Kingdom’s active diplomatic engagement on the global stage.

The Cabinet reiterated Saudi Arabia’s unwavering support for efforts that promote regional and global security and stability, in line with its longstanding commitment to peace and dialogue.

Key Details

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said the Cabinet denounced the resumption of Israeli occupation forces’ attacks on the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the international community’s responsibility to intervene urgently to stop these crimes and end the humanitarian crisis faced by the brotherly Palestinian people.

The Cabinet welcomed the conclusion of peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the signing of a border demarcation agreement between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, extending wishes for their continued progress and prosperity. Domestically, the Cabinet commended the launch of the Saudi Architecture Characters Map, which highlights 19 architectural styles representing the Kingdom’s geographical, natural, and cultural traits, contributing to the preservation of urban heritage and the enhancement of quality of life.

The Cabinet also discussed strategies to boost development and service projects, reinforce the social welfare and protection system, and reviewed indicators of the national economy’s performance, including credit rating upgrades by international agencies. These reflect the continued implementation of structural reforms and the creation of an environment conducive to unprecedented economic transformation and diversification, in line with Vision 2030.

Al-Dossary reported that the Cabinet expressed appreciation for the proactive security monitoring and response to drug smuggling networks, carried out in partnership with brotherly and friendly countries. The Cabinet specifically praised the Iraqi Ministry of Interior for intercepting an attempt to smuggle 7 million amphetamine pills, acting on information provided by the Saudi Ministry of Interior.

The Cabinet addressed other items on its agenda and issued several decisions, including authorizing the minister of interior to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Interior of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Interior of Egypt in the field of scientific, training, and research activities; approving a cultural cooperation memorandum between the Ministry of Culture and Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; and approving an MoU for economic cooperation between the Ministry of Economy and Planning and the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Investment of the Union of the Comoros.

Other decisions included authorizing the minister of municipalities and housing to sign a draft MoU with Qatar’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority; approving an agreement with Iceland to avoid double taxation; approving an agreement with Pakistan on customs cooperation; approving air transport services agreements with Suriname and Lithuania; approving an MoU between the General Authority for Statistics and UNICEF Gulf Area Office; approving an MoU between the Education and Training Evaluation Commission and Mauritania’s Ministry of Education; approving an MoU on technical and vocational training between the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation and Pakistan’s National Vocational and Technical Training Commission; and authorizing the Saudi Institute of Internal Auditors to negotiate an MoU with the Malaysian Institute of Internal Auditors.

Implications and Impact

These decisions reflect Saudi Arabia’s proactive approach to international cooperation, economic diversification, and security. The agreements and MoUs signed and approved during the session are expected to enhance bilateral relations, foster knowledge exchange, and contribute to the Kingdom’s sustainable development. The Cabinet’s stance on regional issues reinforces Saudi Arabia’s role as a stabilizing force and a champion of peace and humanitarian causes.

Internationally, the session’s outcomes signal Saudi Arabia’s continued engagement with global partners, from Europe to Asia, Africa, and Latin America, in areas ranging from taxation and customs to education and air transport. This network of cooperation aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goal of becoming a global hub for trade, investment, and diplomacy.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The decisions and discussions of the Cabinet session are fully aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy, enhance quality of life, and strengthen the Kingdom’s global standing. By approving agreements that boost economic ties, cultural exchange, and statistical cooperation, the Cabinet is advancing the Vision’s objectives of a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. Under the leadership of HRH the Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia continues to implement structural reforms and forge partnerships that drive unprecedented transformation and prosperity.

20 Questions

Q1. Who chaired the Cabinet session held in Jeddah on March 18, 2025?

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

Q2. What did HRH the Crown Prince brief the Cabinet about?

A2. He briefed the Cabinet on his telephone conversations with President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy.

Q3. What did the Cabinet denounce regarding Gaza?

A3. The Cabinet denounced the resumption of Israeli occupation forces’ attacks on the Gaza Strip and called for urgent international intervention.

Q4. Which peace negotiations did the Cabinet welcome?

A4. The Cabinet welcomed the conclusion of peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Q5. What agreement between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan was welcomed?

A5. The Cabinet welcomed the signing of a border demarcation agreement between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Q6. What is the Saudi Architecture Characters Map?

A6. It highlights 19 architectural styles representing the Kingdom’s geographical, natural, and cultural traits, preserving urban heritage.

Q7. What did the Cabinet commend regarding drug smuggling?

A7. The Cabinet praised the Iraqi Ministry of Interior for intercepting an attempt to smuggle 7 million amphetamine pills based on Saudi information.

Q8. What MoU was authorized with Egypt?

A8. An MoU between the Saudi Ministry of Interior and Egypt’s Ministry of Interior for scientific, training, and research activities.

Q9. What cultural cooperation memorandum was approved with Japan?

A9. A cultural cooperation memorandum between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Q10. What economic cooperation MoU was approved with the Comoros?

A10. An MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Economy and Planning and the Comoros’ Ministry of Economy, Industry and Investment.

Q11. What real estate cooperation was authorized with Qatar?

A11. An MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate General Authority and Qatar’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

Q12. What tax agreement was approved with Iceland?

A12. An agreement to avoid double taxation on income taxes and prevent tax evasion, along with its protocol.

Q13. What customs agreement was approved with Pakistan?

A13. An agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Q14. Which countries signed air transport services agreements with Saudi Arabia?

A14. Suriname and Lithuania signed air transport services agreements with Saudi Arabia.

Q15. What MoU was approved with UNICEF?

A15. An MoU between the General Authority for Statistics and UNICEF Gulf Area Office to collaborate on Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys.

Q16. What MoU was approved with Mauritania?

A16. An MoU between the Education and Training Evaluation Commission and Mauritania’s Ministry of Education to enhance assessment, measurement, and accreditation tools.

Q17. What training MoU was approved with Pakistan?

A17. An MoU on technical and vocational training between the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation and Pakistan’s National Vocational and Technical Training Commission.

Q18. What MoU was authorized with Malaysia?

A18. An MoU between the Saudi Institute of Internal Auditors and the Malaysian Institute of Internal Auditors on internal auditing, governance, and compliance.

Q19. How does the Cabinet session align with Vision 2030?

A19. The session’s decisions advance economic diversification, international cooperation, and quality of life, supporting Vision 2030’s goals.

Q20. What did the Cabinet review regarding the national economy?

A20. The Cabinet reviewed indicators of the national economy’s performance and credit rating upgrades by international agencies, emphasizing structural reforms.

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