Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Council of Ministers welcomed on Monday the official visit of US President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia, expressing optimism that the visit would strengthen and expand cooperation and the strategic partnership between the two friendly countries across various sectors, in a way serving their mutual interests and visions. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh.

At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the outcomes of recent talks with leaders of several friendly nations, focusing on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of State, Cabinet Member for Shoura Council’s Affairs and Acting Minister of Media Dr. Essam bin Saad bin Saeed said that the Cabinet reviewed regional and international developments and reiterated its firm condemnation of the Israeli occupation authorities' announcement regarding their incursion into and control of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian territories, as well as their ongoing violations of international humanitarian law. The Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people.

The Cabinet welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India, and affirmed the Kingdom’s continued commitment to working with international partners to achieve lasting peace between the two nations.

The Cabinet discussed progress in cooperation with international organizations and forums, emphasizing that the Kingdom's hosting of the Munich Security Conference Leaders' Meeting in the last quarter of 2025 reflects its commitment to supporting multilateral approaches that promote international peace and security and address global challenges.

The Cabinet regarded the Kingdom’s election as the Arab Group’s representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council as a testament to its leading role and ongoing efforts in advancing the aviation sector at the local, regional, and international levels, in accordance with the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

The Cabinet approved the guidelines for green investments. It approved the regulations to organize the General Authority of Civil Aviation. The Cabinet endorsed formation of a working group, headed by the General Directorate of Civil Defense and including members from several entities, to implement a program to raise awareness of meteorological phenomena, the mechanism for avoiding their risks, and the implications of alerts and warnings.

The Cabinet decided that the state would bear the taxes and customs duties on live livestock shipments from Dhul Qada 11, corresponding to May 9, until the end of this year's Hajj season.

The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Saudi Ministry of Energy and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security for cooperation in the field of energy, and a general cooperation agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Eswatini.

The Council authorized the minister of foreign affairs or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Vanuatuan side a draft general cooperation agreement between the two governments, in addition to authorizing the minister of education or his deputy to discuss and sign with the US side a draft MoU for cooperation in the field of education and training.

The Cabinet approved a MoU between the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Chinese National Medical Products Administration for cooperation in the field of regulating drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics, and another MoU between the Saudi Human Rights Commission and Tajikistan's Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Council approved a MoU between the Saudi Presidency of State Security and the Omani General Secretariat for Communications and Coordination in the field of combating terrorism crimes and their financing, and another MoU for cooperation and news exchange between the Saudi Press Agency and the Senegalese Press Agency.