The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Tuesday afternoon.
At the outset of the session, the king briefed the cabinet on the results of his talks with the Secretary of State of the United States of America Mike Pompeo, during which they reviewed historical relations between the two friendly countries, latest developments in the Middle East and efforts being exerted toward them.
The cabinet commended the King's emphasis during his inauguration of the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Program 2025 that he is proud of the national competent in all fields.
The Cabinet praised the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program targeting a number of promising sectors, promoting revenues of small holdings and agricultural activities, and seeking to achieve a balanced economic and social development among various segments of the society through the optimal and sustainable utilization of renewable natural, agricultural and hydrological resources.
Minister of Media Turki bin Abdullah Al-Shabanah said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency following the session that the cabinet reviewed the announcement of Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources on the Kingdom's fixed oil and gas reserves, which were confirmed by the independent certification conducted by leading consultants DeGolyer and MacNaughton (D&M) which reaffirms the importance of the Kingdom and its global role as a safe source of long-term oil supply, transparency in the dissemination of information and balanced governance of the oil sector.
The cabinet reviewed the kingdom's emphasis during its participation in the ninth session of the General Assembly of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi that it is working within the framework of its vision 2030 and National Transformation Program 2020 to establish a sustainable renewable energy sector, including industries, services, technology localization and qualification of human cadres to achieve growth, prosperity and diversification of energy sources. The Kingdom aims to be a leading center in renewable energy over the next ten years, based on local capabilities to develop projects, manufacture and export the entire value chain of more than 200 giga watts. The Cabinet welcomed granting Domat Al-Jandal wind power project as the first wind power plant in the Kingdom, and the second tender to be submitted under King Salman Renewable Energy Initiative.
Minister of Media Turki bin Abdullah Al-Shabana further said that the cabinet appreciated the strenuous efforts being exerted by the State Security and its staff, in pursuing and tracking down the criminal elements, that pose a threat to the country's security, capabilities and social welfare as well as in neutralizing their risk.
He pointed out, in this regard, to the detection of a terrorist cell of seven wanted persons, in Qatif governorate, which was preparing to carry out an imminent criminal act, yet, the security forces dealt with them, in a proactive operation, as the situation required and succeeded in neutralizing their risk and eliminating them.
Then, the cabinet reviewed a number of reports on the latest developments in the region and the world, according to the minister.
He indicated how the Palestinian citizens are subjected to escalated campaigns by the Israeli occupation authorities, settlers incursions and land control, stressing the need for the Security Council to assume its responsibilities and immediately intervene to stop settlement projects.
Minister of Media added that the Cabinet issued, at the end of the session, the following decisions:
First: the cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Korea, concerning the organization of procedures for granting visiting visas to the citizens of both countries.
A royal decree has been prepared for this purpose.
Second: the cabinet approved the amendment of the air agreement on regular air transport between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic Indonesia. The agreement was approved by the Royal Decree No. (M/58) dated 8/11/1409H, as set out in the decision.
A royal decree has been prepared for this purpose.
Third: the cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the United Arab Emirates, in the field of logistics' security.
A royal decree has been prepared for this purpose.
Fourth: the cabinet approved a framework for academic cooperation agreement between King Saud University and Janell Center, in the Republic of France.
Fifth: the cabinet approved to amend regulation related to the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS).
Sixth: the cabinet approved to renew the membership of Ali bin Hamad Al Mubarak, in the Board of Directors of the Saudi Geological Survey and appoint Dr. Abdulaziz bin Muhareb Al- Shaibani and Dr. Abdulaziz bin Obaid Al-Kaabi, as members of the Board of Directors.
Seventh: the cabinet appointed Houda bint Mohammed bin Ghosn, Patricia Hughes and Moustafa Pinsu as members of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Public Administration.
Eighth: the cabinet approved also the following:
1- The following penalties shall apply to violators of the regulations, rules and standards regulating licensing of facilities for the exercise of sports activities - established by the General Authority for Sport, based on arrangements and regulations adopted by the system:
A - Pause the activity.
B - Cancellation of the license.
A - Fine not exceeding SR50,000.
2 - The board of directors shall determine classification of violations, according to their severity or frequency and shall determine the penalty applicable to each of the sanctions mentioned, in paragraph (1) above.
Ninth: the cabinet approved a number of an appointment and promotions (15th and 14th ranks) as follows:
1. Abdullah bin Awwad bin Hamid Al-Zemie is promoted to the post of Director General of Jeddah Islamic Port (15th rank) at the Saudi Ports Authority.
2. Abdulaziz bin Ibrahim bin Hamad Al-Omaireni is appointed to the post of (Minister Plenipotentiary) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
3. Tawfiq bin Abdulkarim Al-Jadaan is promoted to the post of Chairman of the Sector (14th rank) at the Ministry of Finance.
4. Ibrahim bin Saad Al-Zaaqi is promoted to the post of Director General of Revenues (14th rank) at the Ministry of Finance.
5. Mohammed bin Ibrahm Al-Hatlani is promoted to the post of Chairman of the Sector (14th rank) at the Ministry of Finance.
6. Eng. Mutlaq bin Al-Asmar Al-Sharari is promoted to the post of Director General of the Ministry's Branch in Makkah Region (14th rank) at the Ministry of Transport.
7. Mbarak bin Mubarak Al-Shahrani is promoted to the post of Director General of the Ministry's Branch in Jeddah Province (14th rank) at the Ministry of Economy and Planning.
8. Saeed bin Abdullah Al-Qahtani is promoted to the post of Director General of a Brach (14th rank) at General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta.
9. Dr. Omar bin Ghazi Al-Attas is promoted to the post of Director General of the National Center for Meteorology and Environmental Protection (14th rank) in the General Authority for Meteorology and Environmental Protection.
Various general issues on the agenda of the cabinet, were also dealt with, including annual reports on previous fiscal years from Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance; Ministry of Hajj and Umrah; Human Resources Development Fund; Saudi Industrial Development Fund; General Organization of Railways and Human Rights Commission. Following taking notice of them, the cabinet made appropriate instructions, in their regard.