Politics
Cabinet approves product safety and "specifications and quality" regulations
Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet meeting held today
Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet meeting held today in Jeddah.
At the beginning of the session, the Cabinet reviewed a set of periodic performance reports for the programs to achieve (the Kingdom’s Vision 2030), many of whose achievements have appeared on the ground, thanks be to God. In this context, it praised what the housing program and the transformation of the health sector have achieved in rapid steps, especially in raising the rate of homeownership for Saudi families, providing thousands of housing units for beneficiaries of developmental housing, facilitating access to health services and improving their efficiency and quality, as well as increasing the average life expectancy of the Kingdom’s population, as a result of the efforts and contributions aimed at preserving human health and building a vibrant society.
Minister of Information Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossari explained in his statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session that the Council addressed the advanced positions recorded by the Kingdom in the labor market indicators issued by the World Economic Forum, in addition to the record numbers achieved in the number of Saudis working in the private sector, which jumped from (1.7) million workers in 2019 to more than (2.3) million workers in 2024, in addition to the decline in the unemployment rate to (7.6%) in the first quarter of this year.
The Cabinet approved the submission of the Kingdom’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup to the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA), affirming the Kingdom’s determination to present an exceptional edition of this major sporting event, which will bring together (48) national teams for the first time in the history of the tournament in one country, embodying its leadership at various levels and in all fields.
The Council appreciated the decision of the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to register the “Cultural Landscape of the Archaeological Site of Al-Faw” located in the Riyadh region on the World Heritage List, making it the (eighth) site in the Kingdom listed on it, thus achieving the goal of (Vision 2030).
On the international front, the Cabinet reviewed all the talks that took place during the past days between the Kingdom and various countries of the world, to develop relations and push areas of cooperation to more prosperous and advanced horizons, in a way that supports common interests and serves bilateral and multilateral coordination towards international challenges.
In this context, the Council discussed the results of the Kingdom’s participation in the meetings held under the umbrella of the G20, which included highlighting its efforts and initiatives to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, continue progress on the economic front, and enhance areas of global response to humanitarian issues.
He noted that the Cabinet welcomed the outcomes of the (second) consultative meeting on enhancing coordination of peace initiatives and efforts in Sudan, reaffirming the Kingdom’s continued efforts to resolve the crisis in this brotherly country and restore security and stability to it.
The Council affirmed the Kingdom’s continued support for Yemen and its brotherly people, and its encouragement of efforts to reduce escalation and maintain calm, and everything that contributes to reaching a comprehensive political solution within the framework of the roadmap sponsored by the United Nations to support the peace process.
The Cabinet, while reviewing the contents of the “Second Baghdad International Conference on Combating Drugs”, noted the Kingdom’s interest in consolidating international cooperation in this field, and the ongoing successes achieved by its security campaign in confronting the danger of drugs and related crimes.
The Cabinet reviewed the topics on its agenda, including topics that the Shura Council had participated in studying. It also reviewed the conclusions reached by the Council of Political and Security Affairs, the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, the General Committee of the Cabinet, and the Council of Experts regarding these topics. The Cabinet concluded the following:
Firstly:
Approval of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
secondly:
Approval of a headquarters agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Office.
Third:
His Highness the Minister of Culture, or his representative, is authorized to discuss with the Portuguese side the draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the cultural field between the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Culture in the Republic of Portugal, and to sign it.
Fourth:
Authorizing the Minister of Tourism - or his representative - to discuss with the Cuban side the draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of tourism between the Ministry of Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Tourism in the Republic of Cuba, and to sign it.
Fifth:
Approval of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of tourism between the Ministry of Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Tourism in the Republic of Tunisia.
Sixth:
Approval of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Foreign Trade in the Republic of Costa Rica, for cooperation in the field of promoting direct investment.
Seventh:
Approval of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Economy and Planning in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Finance and National Economy in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in the field of economy and planning.
Eighth:
Approval of a memorandum of cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, represented by the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation, in the field of supporting and developing medium, small and micro enterprises and entrepreneurship.
Ninth:
Approval of two agreements between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and both the Government of the Republic of Uganda and the Government of the Republic of Guatemala, in the field of air transport services.
Tenth:
Authorizing the President of the General Auditing Bureau - or his representative - to discuss with the Pakistani side the draft memorandum of understanding between the General Auditing Bureau in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Auditor General’s Office in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, for cooperation in the field of accounting, auditing and professional work, and to sign it.
Eleventh:
The Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Privatization - or his representative - is authorized to discuss with the Kuwaiti side the draft memorandum of understanding between the National Center for Privatization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Public-Private Partnership Projects Authority in the State of Kuwait, for cooperation in the field of public-private partnership, and to sign it.
twelfth:
The Minister of Health, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Institute for Health Research - or his representative - is authorized to discuss with the American side the draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the National Institute for Health Research in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the United States of America, in the field of medical research related to infectious diseases, and to sign it.
Thirteenth:
Approval of a memorandum of understanding between the Institute of Public Administration in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Institute of Public Administration in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Fourteenth:
Approval of the guidelines for the governance of public entities.
Fifteenth:
Approval of the product safety system, and the specifications and quality system.
sixteenth:
Granting the General Authority for Endowments the authority to invest the funds of the endowed real estate deposited with it, which was expropriated for the public interest.
Seventeenth:
Approval to promote Fahd bin Nasser bin Abdullah bin Jrid to the position of (Senior Business Advisor) at the (fifteenth) rank in the General Directorate of Passports.
The Cabinet also reviewed a number of general topics on its agenda, including annual reports from the Saudi Export Development Authority, the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority, King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, and the National Development Fund. The Cabinet took the necessary action regarding these topics.
Politics
Oman: Duqm port targeted by drones for the second time in days
The Sultanate of Oman announced that the port of Duqm was attacked by drones targeting fuel tanks, in the second such incident in three days. Authorities confirmed that the situation was under control and that there were no casualties.
The Sultanate of Oman announced on Tuesday morning that the Special Economic Zone in Duqm had been subjected to a new security incident, which was the targeting of fuel tanks in the commercial port of Duqm by a number of drones. This is the second incident of its kind to occur in the vital area in less than 72 hours.
The official Oman News Agency quoted a responsible security source confirming that the airstrike damaged one of the port's fuel tanks. Authorities explained that emergency teams and relevant agencies were able to fully contain the damage caused by the attack, confirming that no casualties were reported. This reflects the port's readiness to handle emergencies.
Details of the previous incident and escalating tensions
This attack comes just days after a similar incident last Sunday, when Omani authorities announced that the port of Duqm had been targeted by two drones. The first attack resulted in injuries to an expatriate worker when one of the drones struck a mobile workers' accommodation, while the debris from the other drone fell near fuel tanks without causing significant material damage or further casualties.
The Sultanate of Oman has expressed its strong condemnation of this repeated targeting of civilian and economic infrastructure, stressing that it is taking all necessary security and precautionary measures to deal with this event and ensure the safety of the facilities and workers in them.
The strategic importance of the port of Duqm
This event is of particular importance given the strategic location of the Port of Duqm. Situated on the southeastern coast of the Sultanate of Oman, the port directly overlooks the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The Duqm Special Economic Zone is one of the largest economic projects in the Middle East and North Africa, designed to be a global logistics and industrial hub.
The importance of Duqm lies in its location outside the Strait of Hormuz, making it a vital artery for oil and gas exports and container trade, far removed from the tensions that might arise in the strait. The port includes a major oil refinery and petrochemical storage facilities, making it a cornerstone of the Sultanate of Oman's economic diversification strategy (Vision 2040).
Impacts of the event on energy security and navigation
The repeated targeting of vital facilities in a politically and security-wise stable region like the Sultanate of Oman raises questions about the growing security challenges facing energy and maritime shipping lanes in the region. Economic and political circles are viewing these events with great seriousness, given the role that Omani ports play in global supply chains.
Despite these events, initial indicators confirm the continuation of operations at the port and the ability of the Omani authorities to contain the situation, in light of regional and international support for the stability of the Sultanate and the security of its waterways.
Politics
Trump vows to retaliate against the attack on the US embassy in Riyadh
Trump confirms imminent response to drone attack on US embassy in Riyadh. Saudi defense ministry reveals details, raising expectations of escalating tensions in the region.
In a new escalation of events in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump affirmed that the military and political response to the attack targeting the US embassy in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, would be "soon and decisive." The US president indicated that the administration is currently studying the available options and that details of the anticipated US action would be announced shortly, reflecting Washington's seriousness in dealing with threats against its diplomatic missions.
Details of the attack and the Saudi position
Trump’s fiery remarks came during an exclusive interview with News Nation, which was relayed by the network’s correspondent via the X platform, where the president stressed that the United States would not tolerate this blatant attack, especially as it comes amid escalating regional tensions and the deaths of American soldiers in indirect confrontations during the ongoing conflict with Iran and its proxies in the region.
For its part, the Saudi Ministry of Defense quickly clarified the circumstances of the incident, issuing an official statement in the early hours of Tuesday morning via the "X" platform. The ministry explained that the initial assessment of the incident indicates that the embassy was subjected to a hostile attack by two drones, confirming that the attack resulted in a small fire within the embassy perimeter, which was brought under control without any major damage.
Context of regional and international tension
This incident comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension in the region, where targeting diplomatic missions is a serious violation of international norms and laws, specifically the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which mandates special protection for embassies. Observers believe this attack not only targets the diplomatic building itself but also represents a direct challenge to American influence in the region and to the deep strategic partnership between Washington and Riyadh.
Historically, US-Saudi relations have been a cornerstone of security in the Middle East, and the United States typically responds firmly to any threats to its interests or those of its strategic allies in the Gulf. Military experts note that the use of drones in such attacks has become a common tactic for armed groups in the region to destabilize it, prompting Washington to bolster its defense systems and vow to deter the perpetrators.
Expected repercussions
This incident is expected to cast a shadow over the political and security landscape in the region, as the anticipated US response could lead to changes in the current rules of engagement. Furthermore, targeting a major and pivotal capital like Riyadh carries serious implications that may necessitate high-level security and military coordination between the United States and Saudi Arabia to ensure regional security and the safety of vital waterways and global energy supplies, which could be affected by any large-scale military escalation.
Politics
The Yemeni government's priorities: Services in Aden and justice for the southern cause
The Yemeni Prime Minister outlines the government's priorities: currency stability, improving Aden's electricity, and paying salaries, while emphasizing the justice of the southern cause and partnership with the press.
In a move aimed at enhancing transparency and clarifying the government's course of action during the current critical phase, Yemeni Prime Minister Dr. Shaya'a al-Zindani explained that his government's priorities are primarily focused on addressing the escalating service and economic challenges, foremost among them stabilizing the national currency, improving electricity and water services, and ensuring the regular payment of salaries. This statement comes at a time when the country is experiencing immense economic pressure resulting from the ongoing war and the halt in oil exports, which has severely impacted the living conditions of citizens.
Aden: The true test of the state
The Prime Minister emphasized the special place that the interim capital, Aden, holds in the government's program, considering it a symbol of the state and a true test of its ability to succeed and endure. He noted that the government is deeply committed to transforming Aden into a model of security, public service provision, and institutional discipline. He affirmed that the success of this experiment in Aden would send a powerful message of hope to the other liberated governorates, confirming the success of the state project and its capacity for recovery. At the same time, he warned that any chaos or security lapses in Aden would not only affect the city but would also tarnish the image of the nation and the national project as a whole in the eyes of the international community and donors.
Economic and political dimensions
The Yemeni government faces complex challenges, with the electricity sector in Aden and neighboring governorates being among the most intricate due to dilapidated infrastructure and fuel shortages, requiring urgent strategic solutions. Currency stability is also directly linked to citizens' purchasing power, which has eroded significantly in recent years. Through these priorities, the government aims to create a stable environment that will encourage capital inflows and revitalize the economy.
The justice of the southern cause and partnership with the media
On the political front, during a meeting with journalists and media figures in the interim capital, Aden, the Yemeni Prime Minister reiterated that the Southern issue is a just cause , noting that it constitutes a fundamental pillar of any future political settlement and that addressing it in a manner acceptable to the people of the South is a genuine path to stability. In closing, al-Zindani pledged to build strong bridges of partnership with the press and media, emphasizing that restoring trust between citizens and the government begins with honesty and transparency, and that the media is a key partner in uncovering the truth and monitoring government performance.
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