Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Chairs Cabinet Session

Jeddah, August 08, 2023, SPA -- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session held today at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.
The Cabinet was briefed on the talks held by the Kingdom with several other countries over the past few days with the aim of fostering relations and strengthening cooperation.
It also addressed developments in the Kingdom's foreign policy and diplomatic efforts in support of dialogue and peaceful solutions to achieve security and stability in the world, and a bright, prosperous future and progress.
The Cabinet tackled the Kingdom's hosting of the meeting of national security advisors from various countries on the Ukrainian crisis, which was one of the initiatives of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. HRH the Crown Prince's endeavors in this respect include communication with the Russian and Ukrainian leaders; they are all proof of the Kingdom's readiness to exert its good offices to contribute to reaching a solution that will result in permanent peace and reduce the impact of the crisis.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the Cabinet session, Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari said that the Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of a number of regional and international meetings that the Kingdom participated in, and reiterated the Kingdom's keenness to cooperate with different entities to achieve and coordinate on issues of mutual interest and common challenges.
The Cabinet commended the Kingdom's decision, taken during the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Ministerial Council meeting, to support efforts to face environmental challenges in the region and the world. The Kingdom's support to these efforts resulted in the adoption of several initiatives, including the Middle East Green Initiative aimed at achieving global objectives in this area.
The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's keenness to continue to lend support to the efforts exerted by the OPEC+ countries to ensure the stability of oil markets, including extending the voluntary cut of one million barrels per day, which started being implemented in July and will continue till the end of September.
The minister said that the Cabinet welcomed the Kingdom's hosting of the UN's Global Geospatial Ecosystem Center of Excellence, which is an important platform for shaping the future in this field using innovative and advanced methods to achieve growth, innovation and sustainable development, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.
The Cabinet has reviewed the topic on its agenda, as directed by the King, to consider the establishment of an independent body named the Presidency of the Religious Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque. Additionally, there is a proposal to transform the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque into a general authority, to be known as the General Authority for Caring for the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque. This transformation aims to enhance the State's commitment to these holy sites and facilitate their institutional development in alignment with ongoing development plans.
After the Cabinet studied this topic, it issued the following decisions:
First: The establishment of the Presidency of the Religious Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque is proposed, with the organization's attachment to the King. This Presidency will oversee matters concerning imams and prayer callers in the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque. This oversight includes religious affairs and scholarly lessons held within the Two Holy Mosques under the supervision of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque.
Second: The plan involves transforming the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque into the General Authority for Caring for the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque. This new authority will possess juridical personality and financial and administrative independence. It will also be organizationally attached to the King and will manage various tasks related to services, operation, maintenance, and development of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet’s Holy Mosque.
Third: The General Authority for Caring for the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque will establish a Board of Directors, with members and a chairman appointed through a royal order.
Fourth: The Cabinet's Bureau of Experts, in collaboration with relevant authorities, will prepare organizational arrangements for both the Presidency for the Religious Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque, as well as the General Authority for Caring for the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque. The bureau will also review regulations, orders, royal orders, and decisions affected by the changes proposed in the First, Second, and Third articles of this decision. Proposed amendments will be submitted within 60 days of this decision.
Fifth: A technical committee is to be formed, comprising members from various relevant organizations such as the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the General Authority for Caring for the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque, the Presidency of the Religious Affairs at the Grand Holy Mosque and Prophet’s Holy Mosque, and the Committee of the Pilgrim Experience Program. The committee will be chaired by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque, tasked with developing mechanisms to address financial and functional aspects of the proposed changes.
Sixth: The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque will take over the responsibilities of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque during the transition period, pending full implementation of the decision and the start of the bodies' competences, functions, and actions as per their organizational arrangements outlined in Item (Fourth). Coordination between the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Head of Religious Affairs will enable the Presidency of the Religious Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque to fulfil its competencies, tasks, and actions as outlined in Item (First) during this period. This provision will remain in effect for a period not exceeding 60 days from the completion date of Item (Fifth) of the decision.
Seventh: The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque will temporarily carry out necessary board functions, excluding those related to financial and administrative policies and regulations, until the authority is fully established. Furthermore, the Chairman will also act as the CEO of the authority until the CEO's appointment in accordance with the organizational arrangements specified in Item (Fourth) of the decision.
The Cabinet was also briefed on a number of issues on its agenda and issued the following decisions:
First: Approving a draft memorandum of understanding in the energy field between the Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom of Thailand.
Second: Authorizing the Minister of Justice, or a deputy, to sign a draft cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Law of the Republic of Singapore.
Third: Authorizing the Minister of Investment, or a deputy, to discuss with the Sri Lankan side a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of promoting direct investment between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Fourth: Authorizing the Minister of Investment, or a deputy, to discuss with the Costa Rican side a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of promoting direct investment between the Ministry of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Foreign Trade of the Republic of Costa Rica.
Fifth: Authorizing the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, or a deputy, to hold discussions with the Uzbek side on a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation 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 Communications and Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Sixth: Approving an agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Seventh: Approving the model memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of railways between the Transport General Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its counterparts in other countries, and authorizing the Minister of Transport and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Transport General Authority, or a deputy, to hold discussions with counterparts in other countries regarding a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of railways between the Transport General Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its counterparts in other countries.
Eighth: Approving a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of accounting, control and professional work between the General Court of Audit of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Accounts Chamber of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Ninth: Approving a memorandum of cooperation between the Public Prosecution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Presidency of the Public Prosecution Office of the Kingdom of Morocco in the field of investigation and public prosecution.
Tenth: Authorizing the Attorney General, or a deputy, to hold discussions with the Azerbaijani side on a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the Public Prosecution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Eleventh: Authorizing the Minister of Culture, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, or a deputy to hold discussions with the British side on a draft memorandum of understanding between the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Royal College of Art of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for cooperation in the field of traditional arts.
Twelfth: Amending Paragraph (One) of Article (11) of the Statute of Almqr Development Company, established by Royal Decree No. (M / 57) dated 20/9/1435AH (relating to the company's board of directors) to be as stated in the decision.
Thirteenth: Amending Article (5) of the organization of the Sports Boulevard Foundation, issued by Cabinet Decision No. (426) dated 24/6/1441AH (related to the Foundation’s Board of Directors), to be as stated in the decision.
Fourteenth: Appointing Abdulsalam bin Mohammad Al-Jabr, Yousef bin Ali Al-Majdouie, and Mohammad bin Abdullah Al-Marshed as members of the businessmen in the Board of Directors of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO).
Fifteenth: The abolition of the (Standing Committee for Saudi Arbitration Centers) formed by item (First) of the Cabinet Decision No. (257) dated 14/6/1435AH, amended by the Cabinet Decision No. (107) dated 8/4/1437AH, without prejudice to the continuity of the arbitration centers licensed by the committee, the tasks of the committee as mentioned above shall be undertaken by a committee formed under the umbrella of the Federation of Saudi Chambers (without including government representation) and its competence shall be limited to what is related to arbitration centers that have been established and will be established under the umbrella of the Chambers of Commerce.
Sixteenth: Approving promotions to the fifteenth and fourteenth ranks, and appointments to the position of Minister Plenipotentiary.
The Cabinet also reviewed several issues on its agenda and took necessary procedures regarding them.

--SPA