Riyadh: His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session held today via video conference. HRH the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the content of recent phone calls with leaders of several brotherly and friendly countries, discussing the latest developments in the region and their impacts on regional and international security and stability.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the Cabinet strongly condemned the Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and several Arab, Islamic, and friendly nations. These attacks were criticized for threatening security and stability and for violating international conventions and laws by targeting civilian locations, airports, and oil facilities. The Cabinet affirmed Saudi Arabia's right to take necessary measures to protect its security and sovereignty, praising the Saudi air defenses for intercepting and destroying hostile missiles and drones.
Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary stated that the Cabinet reviewed Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment to supporting solidarity, cooperation, and coordination with its Gulf and Arab neighbors in addressing regional challenges. The Cabinet expressed appreciation for statements from the GCC-European Union ministerial meeting and the League of Arab States ministerial meeting, both condemning the Iranian attacks.
The Cabinet discussed reports on domestic affairs, emphasizing recommendations from the 33rd annual meeting of the governors of the regions. The focus was on supporting development opportunities, enhancing sector capabilities, and improving development services. Additionally, the Cabinet highlighted the importance of strengthening the charitable sector and acknowledged the success of the sixth edition of the National Campaign for Charitable Work (Ehsan).
The celebration of Flag Day was noted as a reaffirmation of national pride and identity. The Cabinet addressed other agenda items and issued several decisions, including authorizing the minister of foreign affairs to negotiate a memorandum with Malaysia, approving training and judicial publication agreements with various organizations, and establishing new cooperation in tourism, sustainable development, and real estate.
Further decisions included the establishment of a royal institute for anthropology and cultural studies and designating 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence.