Deputy Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mohammad bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session which was held at Al-Yamamah Palace today.

The Deputy Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques congratulated the Kingdom's Grand Mufti; members of the Senior Scholars Commission; full-time sheikhs, members of the Standing Committee for Fatwa (affiliated to the Senior Scholars Commission); and Speaker and members of Majlis Al-Shura on the royal trust bestowed on them through renewing their memberships to their agencies, wishing them all success.

Crown Prince Mohammad welcomed Minister of Labour and Social Development Dr. Ali bin Nasser Al-Ghafis in his new portfolio, wishing him success. He also thanked the outgoing officials and members for their efforts.

The Cabinet reviewed a number of reports on regional, Arab and international developments, and looked forward to the outcome of meetings the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques will hold with leaders of the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait during his tour that emanates from his keenness to communicate with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders to serve the interests of their peoples and to enhance ties of brotherhood among GCC countries.

The Cabinet commended the outcome of the 35th Meeting of GCC Interior Ministers, expressing hope that the outcome of the meeting will contribute to enhancing the efforts of GCC countries in the field of security.

The Cabinet was briefed on the outcome of OPEC ministerial meeting which was held last week in Vienna. The Cabinet praised the outcome of the meeting, the decisions that were taken as well as the clear cooperation among all OPEC countries to restore stability in the international oil market by reducing excess supply.

The Cabinet also praised the cooperation and contribution of the main oil producing countries outside OPEC to the restoration of stability and balance of international petroleum market.

The Cabinet praised the 7th Bosphorus Summit.  The Cabinet hailed the cooperation agreements in the fields of investment signed by Saudi Arabia and Turkey during the Summit.

To mark the occasion of the International Day for Solidarity with the Palestinian people, the Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's call for the world community to remain committed towards the rights of Palestinians and retard Israel from its procrastinating policies against them.

The Cabinet lauded the holding of a number of cultural activities, citing the opening by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of Trade Roads in the Arab peninsula exhibition, the masterpieces and antiquities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across history, held at King Abdulaziz international cultural center in Dhahran, and the king's okay of the exhibition's tour of east Asia following its successful nine tours of Europe and America.

Also praised was the Kingdom's participation in the international conference on the preservation of endangered cultural heritage, held in Abu-Dhabi in the attendance of Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque and Governor of Makkah Region, who led the Kingdom's delegation on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque.

The Cabinet concluded by approving a memorandum of understanding the Peoples Republic of China on enhancing joint cooperation on the silk road economic belt and the initiative of naval silk road for the 21st century and cooperation on productive energy which was signed in Riyadh on 9/4/1437 H;  authorized the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, or his deputy, to negotiate a memorandum of understanding in the field of Islamic Affairs with Mauritania, sign it, and forward the final version for taking further procedures; approved a general cooperation agreement Mauritius which was signed in New York on 12/12/1436H; authorized the Minister of Foreign Affairs, or his deputy, to negotiate with Norway and New Zealand draft memoranda of understanding on political consultations, sign them, and submit the final versions for taking further authentication;  authorized the Acting Secretary General of King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, or his deputy, to discuss with the United Arab Emirate a draft memorandum of cooperation between King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives Saudi Arabia and the National Archive of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, sign it, and submit the signed final version.

The Cabinet approved an amendment to Table (2) regarding the joint committees list attached to the Cabinet's decision No. 2 dated 03/01/1428H, so that the Saudi side at the Saudi-Indonesian Joint Committee is chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and that the Committee shall meet every six months.

The cabinet also approved the appointment of Jamal bin Ali Al-Kishi and Eng. Omar bin Nabil Al-Khudairi as two members of the private sector in the Board of Directors of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation for a period of three years.

The Cabinet has also reviewed a number of issues on its agenda, including the annual report of the general organization for social insurance on a previous fiscal year. The Cabinet issued relevant instructions towards them.