His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, where ministers reviewed regional developments, affirmed support for Yemen’s legitimate government, and approved agreements with Türkiye, Syria, Ghana, Albania, and Armenia. The session, reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), covered a wide agenda that included the Crown Prince’s recent meeting with President Ahmad Al-Sharaa of the Syrian Arab Republic, the outcomes of the Makkah Alliance for Defense emergency meeting, and preliminary state budget estimates for the coming fiscal year.
Context and Background
The Cabinet session convened as Saudi Arabia continues to advance its diplomatic and economic priorities under Saudi Vision 2030, the national transformation plan aimed at diversifying the economy, strengthening regional partnerships, and enhancing the Kingdom’s global standing. The meeting followed a series of high-level engagements, including HRH the Crown Prince’s discussions with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa on bilateral relations and regional stability.
At the outset, HRH the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the content of his meeting with the Syrian president, covering prospects for cooperation and the latest regional developments. The Cabinet then addressed a range of issues, from Yemen and the Makkah Alliance to the royal address delivered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the opening of the Shura Council’s third year of the ninth session.
Key Details and Cabinet Decisions
Following its review of regional developments, the Cabinet affirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s full support for the Presidential Leadership Council, the legitimate government, and the brotherly Yemeni people, with the aim of ending the coup and restoring state institutions from the terrorist Houthi militia, which has chosen military escalation as an alternative approach to peace, further deepening the humanitarian and economic suffering of Yemen and threatens maritime navigation in the southern Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The Cabinet commended the outcomes of the emergency meeting of the Strategic-Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Alliance for Defense, which affirmed solidarity among the three countries and their unified stance in confronting the criminal attacks against the Kingdom that targeted Makkah, Madinah, civilian objects, and civil and economic facilities. The meeting resulted in an agreement to activate collective deterrence and immediately move toward the practical implementation of mutual defense commitments, enhancing military readiness, integration, and the capability to confront such threats.
The Cabinet highly praised the contents of the annual royal address of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the opening of the third year of the ninth session of the Shura Council. The address highlighted the state’s enduring principles, the key achievements of Saudi Vision 2030, the gains of developmental reforms and economic momentum, as well as the foundations of foreign policy and its steadfast positions, which have had a tangible impact on strengthening the Kingdom’s standing and its active role regionally and internationally.
The Cabinet expressed its appreciation for the role of the Shura Council in supporting the Kingdom’s comprehensive development journey, enhancing integration and coordination with government entities, contributing to the development of the legislative and regulatory framework, and raising the level of performance efficiency. Within this framework, it affirmed that the aspirations of citizens and the interests of the nation will always remain at the forefront of the work of state institutions, guiding and informing their decisions and strategic directions.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said that the Cabinet viewed the preliminary state budget estimates for the coming fiscal year as confirmation of the strength of the Kingdom’s economy and its resilience in responding to global changes and developments through proactive policies. These policies help meet national targets and sustain spending on services and on development and social priorities while maintaining fiscal sustainability.
The Cabinet reviewed several reports on international conferences hosted by the Kingdom, commending the work of the Global CSR Forum, held under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. It also commended the launch of initiatives during the forum’s second edition. These initiatives will help put partnerships with social and developmental impact into action and expand sustainable institutional support in this field, supporting national objectives and advancing comprehensive development.
The Cabinet praised the Kingdom’s participation alongside countries around the world in celebrating World Teachers’ Day, observed annually on October 5. The celebration honors teachers’ efforts to fulfill their mission of teaching and nurturing students, as well as their role in preparing generations who remain committed to their noble values and national identity and excel academically and intellectually, enabling them to compete for advancement and leadership on the global stage.
The Cabinet addressed other items on its agenda and issued several decisions, including the approval of an agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye concerning renewable energy power plant projects. It also authorized the Minister of Energy, or a deputy, to discuss and sign with the International Energy Forum a draft memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Ministry of Energy and the forum for cooperation in the field of energy.
Additional authorizations included: the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, or a deputy, to discuss and sign with the Ghanaian side a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of Islamic affairs between the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and the Ghanaian Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs; the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, or a deputy, to discuss and sign with the Syrian side a draft memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Syrian Ministry of Local Administration and Environment in the field of environmental protection; the Attorney General, or a deputy, to discuss and sign with the Albanian side a draft memorandum of cooperation between the Saudi Public Prosecution and the Albanian General Prosecution Office concerning crimes within their respective areas of jurisdiction; and the approval of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the television field between the Saudi Broadcasting Authority and the Public Television Company of the Republic of Armenia.
Implications and Impact
The Cabinet’s decisions underscore Saudi Arabia’s deepening engagement with international partners across energy, environment, Islamic affairs, and media. The renewable energy agreement with Türkiye aligns with the Kingdom’s goal of diversifying its energy mix and reducing carbon emissions, while the memoranda with Ghana, Syria, Albania, and Armenia reflect a broad diplomatic outreach that extends from West Africa to the Balkans and the Caucasus.
The reaffirmation of support for Yemen’s legitimate government and the activation of collective deterrence through the Makkah Alliance for Defense signal a continued focus on regional security and stability. These steps are expected to strengthen military coordination and enhance the protection of maritime navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, critical corridors for global trade and energy shipments.
The preliminary budget estimates, described by Minister Al-Dossary as evidence of economic resilience, point to sustained fiscal discipline and strategic spending on development and social priorities. This approach is designed to maintain investor confidence and support the Kingdom’s non-oil sectors as they expand under Vision 2030.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The outcomes of the Cabinet session reflect the core objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to transform the Kingdom into a diversified, globally connected economy while preserving its cultural and religious leadership. From renewable energy partnerships and environmental cooperation to the celebration of teachers and the Global CSR Forum, each decision contributes to building a sustainable, knowledge-based society and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a stabilizing force in the region and beyond. As the Kingdom continues to implement its reform agenda, such Cabinet sessions demonstrate the leadership’s commitment to translating vision into tangible action for the benefit of the nation and the world.
20 Questions
Q1. Who chaired the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on October 6, 2026?
A1. His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the session.
Q2. What did the Crown Prince brief the Cabinet about at the outset of the session?
A2. He briefed the Cabinet on his meeting with President Ahmad Al-Sharaa of the Syrian Arab Republic, covering bilateral relations, cooperation areas, and regional developments.
Q3. What did the Cabinet affirm regarding Yemen?
A3. The Cabinet affirmed full support for the Presidential Leadership Council, the legitimate government, and the Yemeni people, aiming to end the coup and restore state institutions.
Q4. What is the Makkah Alliance for Defense?
A4. It is a alliance whose Strategic-Political and Defense Committee held an emergency meeting to affirm solidarity and activate collective deterrence against attacks targeting the Kingdom.
Q5. What did the Makkah Alliance meeting agree to do?
A5. It agreed to activate collective deterrence and immediately move toward practical implementation of mutual defense commitments to enhance military readiness and integration.
Q6. What was the Cabinet’s view of the King’s annual royal address?
A6. The Cabinet highly praised the address, which highlighted the state’s principles, Vision 2030 achievements, developmental reforms, economic momentum, and foreign policy foundations.
Q7. What did the Cabinet say about the Shura Council?
A7. It expressed appreciation for the Shura Council’s role in supporting development, enhancing integration with government entities, developing legislation, and raising performance efficiency.
Q8. What did Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary say about the budget?
A8. He said the Cabinet viewed preliminary state budget estimates as confirmation of the economy’s strength and resilience in responding to global changes through proactive policies.
Q9. What forum did the Cabinet commend?
A9. The Cabinet commended the Global CSR Forum, held under the patronage of King Salman, and the launch of initiatives during its second edition.
Q10. What international day did the Cabinet praise participation in?
A10. The Cabinet praised the Kingdom’s participation in celebrating World Teachers’ Day, observed annually on October 5, honoring teachers’ efforts.
Q11. What agreement was approved with Türkiye?
A11. An agreement concerning renewable energy power plant projects between the Government of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye.
Q12. Who was authorized to sign an MoU with the International Energy Forum?
A12. The Minister of Energy, or a deputy, was authorized to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the energy field.
Q13. What MoU was authorized with Ghana?
A13. A draft MoU in Islamic affairs between the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and Ghana’s Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Q14. What environmental MoU was authorized with Syria?
A14. A draft MoU between the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Syria’s Ministry of Local Administration and Environment in environmental protection.
Q15. What cooperation was authorized with Albania?
A15
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