HRH the Crown Prince Chairs Cabinet Session

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 the leaders of several brotherly and friendly countries, within the framework of ongoing consultations on the latest developments in the region and their repercussions on regional and international security and stability.
 The Cabinet strongly condemned the heinous Iranian attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and a number of Arab, Islamic, and friendly countries, the insistence on threatening security and stability, and the blatant violation of international conventions and international law by attacking civilian targets, airports, and oil facilities.
 The Cabinet affirmed the Kingdom's full right to take all necessary measures to protect its security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and to deter aggression. It commended the capabilities of the Saudi air defenses in intercepting and destroying hostile missiles and drones that attempted to target sites and facilities within the Kingdom.
 Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary stated to the Saudi Press Agency following the session that the Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing role, stemming from its approach of supporting solidarity, cooperation, and coordination with its Gulf and Arab neighbors in addressing current regional challenges. The Cabinet expressed its appreciation for the statements issued by the GCC-European Union ministerial meeting and the League of Arab States ministerial meeting, which both condemned the blatant Iranian attacks.
 The Cabinet then discussed several reports on domestic affairs, noting the recommendations from the 33rd annual meeting of the governors of the regions, which focused on supporting development opportunities, enhancing the capabilities of various sectors, and continuing to improve development services.
 The Cabinet also addressed the state's keen interest in strengthening the charitable sector, consolidating the values of giving, and presenting a model to be emulated in philanthropy and solidarity. It commended the success of the sixth edition of the National Campaign for Charitable Work (Ehsan), building upon the successes achieved in previous years.
 The Cabinet considered the celebration of Flag Day, which falls on March 11, as a reaffirmation of pride in its significance and symbolism in the history of the Saudi state, its founding, unification, and development, and in its embodiment of the Kingdom's established principles and national identity.
 The Cabinet addressed other items on its agenda and issued several decisions, including the following:
 First:
 Authorizing the minister of foreign affairs, or a deputy, to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of understanding on political consultations with the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 Second:
 Approving a memorandum of understanding in the field of training between the Saudi Ministry of Sport and the Arab Administrative Development Organization.
 Third:
 Approving a memorandum of understanding on publication of judicial rulings between the Saudi Ministry of Justice and the World Intellectual Property Organization.
 Fourth:
 Approving two memoranda of understanding for tourism cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Tourism and both the Hungarian Tourism Agency and San Marino's Ministry of Tourism, Post, Cooperation, Expo, Information, and Attraction of Tourism Investments.
 Fifth:
 Approving a memorandum of understanding for sustainable development cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning and the Bahraini Ministry of Sustainable Development.
 Sixth:
 Approving two agreements on the promotion and protection of investments between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and both the Syrian Arab Republic and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.
 Seventh:
 Approving a memorandum of understanding for real estate sector cooperation between the Saudi Real Estate General Authority and the Qatari Real Estate Regulatory Authority.
 Eighth:
 Approving the establishment of a royal institute for anthropology and cultural studies.
 Ninth:
 Approving the designation of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence.