The Supreme Judicial Council in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia held its second meeting at the Council’s headquarters, chaired by His Excellency the Acting President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Dr. Walid bin Mohammed Al-Samaani, and attended by Their Excellencies and Eminences, members of the Council, to discuss a number of strategic and functional files of interest to the judiciary.

At the beginning of the meeting, His Excellency the Chairman of the Council expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister - may God protect them - for the unlimited support that the judicial system enjoys and the continuous follow-up on its work, stressing that this support is the basic pillar for continuing to develop judicial work and enhancing the efficiency and quality of the issued rulings.

Decisions to strengthen the judicial structure

During its session, the Council discussed a range of judicial matters and reviewed the recommendations prepared on them. The agenda was dominated by issues related to the professional development of judges, with the Council examining promotion procedures and new appointments, as well as the appointment of several court presidents and their assistants in various regions of the Kingdom. These administrative decisions aim to fill leadership vacancies in the courts, thereby directly contributing to expediting litigation procedures and ensuring the smooth operation of administrative and judicial processes.

The context of judicial development and Vision 2030

These steps come within the framework of the comprehensive development underway in the Kingdom's judicial system, aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The judicial system seeks to achieve swift justice and reduce litigation time, not only through digital and technological transformation, but also by empowering judicial talent and providing a stimulating work environment for judges. The appointment of court presidents is a crucial step in regulating the internal performance of the courts and directly overseeing the progress of cases.

The importance and impact of the meeting's outcomes

The outcomes of this meeting are of paramount importance due to their direct impact on the experience of those benefiting from judicial services. By raising the level of administrative and judicial performance and appointing qualified leaders, the quality of case resolution is enhanced, which positively impacts beneficiary satisfaction and strengthens confidence in the judicial system. Furthermore, the emphasis on the "quality of judgments," as highlighted by the Council Chairman, reflects a strategic direction towards establishing the principles of institutional justice, which not only ensures speed of execution but also guarantees the accuracy and integrity of judicial rulings.

The Supreme Judicial Council continues to exercise its powers, as mandated by law, in supervising the courts, judges and their work, and monitoring performance indicators, in order to support the sustainability of development in the judicial system and to achieve the aspirations of the wise leadership in establishing the foundations of justice.

In a move reflecting the great attention the wise leadership pays to the health sector, and under the patronage of the Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the Deputy Governor of the region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, inaugurated a package of high-quality health projects in the Holy City and its governorates, with a total value exceeding one billion riyals. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Minister of Health, Fahd Al-Jalajel, and the Mayor of Makkah, Musaed Al-Dawood, reflecting the integrated efforts between various government sectors.

Leading these projects is the inauguration of the Makkah General Hospital, a significant addition to the region's healthcare system with a 500-bed capacity. The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology and offers vital specialties including cardiac surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology, in addition to advanced endoscopy and same-day surgery departments. This medical facility aims to accommodate the growing population of Makkah and provide world-class medical services.

The projects also included the inauguration of the 100-bed Al-Layth General Hospital, which comes in response to the needs of the residents of the governorate and its affiliated centers. This project will contribute to reducing the burden of travel for citizens to obtain advanced medical care, and will improve the efficiency of health services in remote areas, thus ensuring the equitable distribution of health services and facilitating access to them.

These projects are of paramount strategic importance given Mecca's status as the Qibla for Muslims. The services provided by these facilities extend beyond citizens and residents to include the millions of pilgrims and Umrah performers who flock to the Holy City annually. Strengthening the healthcare infrastructure is a fundamental part of the Kingdom's preparations to increase the capacity for pilgrims and ensure their health and safety during their rituals, a cornerstone of the region's strategic planning.

These accelerated steps align with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the programs under the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to restructure the health sector into a comprehensive, efficient, and integrated healthcare system. The Vision focuses on promoting public health and disease prevention, and improving access to healthcare services through infrastructure expansion and digital transformation, thereby contributing to a higher quality of life and building a vibrant society where all members enjoy good health.

In conclusion, these projects are expected to bring about a qualitative shift in health performance indicators in the Makkah region, by reducing waiting times for surgeries and outpatient clinics, and providing precise specialized care that previously required transferring patients to other regions, which confirms the state’s commitment to harnessing all capabilities to serve and develop humanity.