A high-level Cabinet meeting took place in Riyadh under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. In his opening remarks, the Crown Prince conveyed profound gratitude to the leaders of brotherly and friendly nations for their heartfelt messages on the occasion of Saudi Arabia’s 95th National Day. He thanked Almighty Allah for the nation’s enduring stability, prosperity, and the remarkable strides it has made in its development journey, highlighting the Kingdom’s commitment to progress and transformation.
During the session, the Cabinet turned its attention to current affairs and matters of national interest, especially emphasizing the Kingdom’s growing diplomatic ties and strategic cooperation with countries worldwide.
Among the key topics was the outcome of the visit by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement. That pact is intended to deepen defense collaboration and strengthen regional security. (The Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement was signed in Riyadh on September 17, 2025.
Following the meeting, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary addressed reporters on behalf of the Cabinet. He underscored the government’s appreciation for the delegation’s robust participation in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, along with the affiliated international forums. This representation, he said, reinforces Saudi Arabia’s global standing and its role as a voice for peace, justice, diplomacy, and multilateral engagement.
Another significant focus of discussion was Palestine. The Cabinet observed the rising number of countries formally recognizing the State of Palestine, interpreting this as a sign of expanding international support for the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Additionally, the government welcomed the United States’ unveiling of a “comprehensive plan” aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict, rebuilding the Gaza Strip, and ensuring the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance. The Cabinet lauded the U.S. decision to oppose the annexation of the West Bank and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s willingness to work with Washington toward a durable peace agreement. In so doing, the Saudi leadership reiterated its position in support of a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of a sovereign Palestinian state.
On the multilateral front, the Cabinet celebrated a significant diplomatic milestone: Saudi Arabia’s election to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This achievement illustrates increased international trust in the Kingdom’s capacity and commitment to collaborate on nuclear and energy oversight at a global level.
The Crown Prince also took note of Saudi Arabia’s election to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), securing 175 out of 184 possible votes. The Cabinet viewed this as an affirmation of the Kingdom’s growing influence and leadership within global aviation governance.
Environmental stewardship and conservation also occupied the Cabinet’s agenda. The inclusion of the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve in UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme was highlighted as evidence of Saudi Arabia’s increasing commitment to biodiversity preservation and sustainable development. The Cabinet saw this as aligning with broader national objectives to integrate ecological balance into its growth trajectory.
Beyond deliberation, the Cabinet gave its backing to a number of new initiatives and agreements. Among them: authorizing the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture (or a deputy) to negotiate and sign a memorandum of understanding with Somali officials on environmental protection.
The Cabinet also empowered the Minister of Investment to negotiate an accord with Morocco focused on encouraging and mutually protecting investments, subject to regulatory formalities. Further, the Minister of Education was authorized to pursue a cooperation agreement with South Korea in health education, training, and research. Likewise, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) was permitted to engage in talks toward a collaboration with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).
In the realm of tourism, the meeting approved the inclusion of the Saudi Tourism Development Fund as an associate member of the World Tourism Organization, a move seen as broadening the Kingdom’s participation in global travel and cultural exchange. The Minister of Finance was also instructed to issue a licensing framework for Easy Bank, signaling continued initiatives to dive deeper into financial sector development.
Turning to domestic infrastructure, the Cabinet reviewed comprehensive plans across the water, agriculture, and environment sectors in all regions of the Kingdom.
In the Eastern Region alone, it approved the inauguration and groundbreaking of 122 projects related to water, environment, and agriculture, totaling investments that exceed SAR 28.8 billion. These projects are designed to bolster water resources, treatment, storage, distribution, and long-term sustainability.
Throughout the session, officials made clear that these decisions are integrally aligned with Saudi Vision 2030—a sweeping national roadmap aiming to diversify the economy, enhance social welfare, and build a knowledge-based society.
In this broader context, the Cabinet’s actions reflect a concerted effort to link diplomatic gains, sustainable development, infrastructure growth, and institutional frameworks under a coherent national agenda.
Today’s Cabinet meeting was not merely a routine gathering; it was a potent declaration of Saudi Arabia’s evolving posture on multiple fronts. From strengthening defense cooperation with Pakistan and advancing the Palestinian cause, to gaining seats in international governance bodies, to investing heavily in environmental, agricultural, and water infrastructure—the session mapped a strategic vision anchored in global engagement, national advancement, and careful stewardship of resources.