Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, chaired a cabinet's virtual session.
At the outset of the session, the Cabinet reviewed reports on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic locally and internationally, the continuous evaluation of the pandemic, the latest treatment protocols, and the latest statisctis about Coronavirus cases reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Cabinet was reassured about the medical and health care being provided for the infected cases.
The Cabinet expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's appreciation of the Islamic and international support for the Kingdom's decision to hold this year's Hajj with a very limited number of pilgrims from various nationalities residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The decision emanates from the Islamic Sharia which stresses avoiding damage before it occurs in addition to maintaining global health security. This decision also embodies the keenness of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince on holding this year's Hajj in a safe and healthy environment following the Coronavirus pandemic that ravaged the countries of the world.
Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi pointed out in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the Cabinet reviewed the preparations taken by all relevant bodies and sectors to provide best services for pilgrims. The Cabinet also reviewed the measures to be taken based on exceptional implementation plans as well as the controls to be implemented before and after this year's Hajj season.
The Cabinet reviewed the developments in the region and the world, highlighting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's participation in the UN Security Council session, during which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stressed maintaining the constants of the Palestinian cause, namely ending the occupation, establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and ensuring the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi stated that the Cabinet addressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's participation in the Donor Conference for Sudan, held in Berlin, in which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia appreciated the efforts and economic reforms made by the Sudanese transitional government, stressing that supporting Sudan by the donners in this time is an important investment to achieve its security and stability and to maintain the safety of the region and the international community.
The Cabinet addressed the resolutions issued by the Arab Foreign Ministers Council during its extraordinary session on Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
The Cabinet reviewed topics on its agenda, issuing the following decisions:
First: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Interior - or his deputy - to discuss and sign with the Burkinabe side a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of civil defense and civil protection between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Burkina Faso.
Second: The Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement in the field of sport between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Third: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance - or his deputy - to discuss and sign with the Islamic Sheikhdom of the Republic of Montenegro a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of Islamic affairs between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Sheikhdom of the Republic of Montenegro.
Forth: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Customs - or his deputy - to discuss and sign with the Pakistani side a draft agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Fifth: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Communications and Information Technology - or his deputy - to discuss and sign with the Palestinian side a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of communications and information technology between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Telecom and Information Technology of the State of Palestine.
Sixth: The Cabinet approved an air services agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
Seventh: The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of satellites and their applications between the Saudi Space Commission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Digital Governance of the Republic of Greece.
Eighth: The Cabinet authorized the Acting Secretary General of King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) - or his deputy - to sign with the Indian side a draft memorandum of cooperation between the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the National Archives of the Republic of India.
Ninth: The Cabinet approved a guiding model for a memorandum of understanding in the field of preventing and combating corruption between the Control and Anti-Corruption Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and similar authorities in other countries, authorizing the President of Control and Anti-Corruption Authority - or his deputy - to discuss and sign with the concerned authorities in other countries the said draft memorandum of understanding.
Tenth: The Cabinet appointed Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim Al-Ruwaite and Dr. Abdullah bin Khalid Al-Missfir as members of the Board of Directors of the General Commission for Audiovisual Media.
Eleventh: The Cabinet approved the National Strategy for Agriculture and its executive summary (2030).
Twelfth: The Cabinet approved transferring a number of capacities from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.