JEDDAH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Tuesday hailed the outcomes of the Makkah Joint Defense Summit, saying they established a framework for a long-term defense partnership between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan aimed at strengthening joint cooperation, coordination and integration and contributing to regional and international security and stability.Chairing the weekly Cabinet session in Jeddah, King Salman expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for their successful efforts in convening the summit.The King said the summit reaffirmed the deep-rooted historical ties among the three countries and their shared commitment to strengthening Islamic solidarity and advancing their common strategic interests.The King praised the outcomes of the tripartite summit in establishing a framework for a long-term defense partnership that will contribute to strengthening joint cooperation, coordination, and integration between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan, as well as continuing efforts to address regional challenges and preserve international security and stability, in a manner that supports the aspirations of the peoples of the region and the wider international community for a more prosperous and flourishing future.The Council of Ministers highlighted Saudi Arabia’s vigorous diplomatic push to contain regional tensions and advance de-escalation, citing intensive communication and coordination with friendly countries.The Cabinet was briefed on the contents of the message received by the King from President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa, as well as the contents of the phone calls between the Crown Prince and President of France Emmanuel Macron and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Education and Acting Minister of Media Yousef Al-Benyan said that the Cabinet discussed the developments in the regional and international arenas. The Council reviewed Saudi Arabia’s efforts, through communication and coordination with friendly countries, to support de-escalation in the region, advance diplomatic solutions, and strengthen all initiatives that respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and ensure the security of waterways in the straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, as they constitute a fundamental pillar of global economic stability. The Cabinet welcomed the United Nations Security Council statement condemning the attacks and criminal acts committed by the terrorist Houthi militia that threaten regional security and freedom of maritime navigation. It reiterated Saudi Arabia’s right to defend its security and resources and its unwavering support for the legitimate Yemeni government and UN-led efforts to achieve peace and stability in Yemen. The Cabinet commended the steps taken at the Ministerial Meeting in Support of Jerusalem and its Holy Sites in Amman, reaffirming its categorical rejection of all attempts to alter the legal and historical status of Jerusalem or undermine its identity. It called on the international community to halt Israeli violations in Gaza and the West Bank, protect holy sites, and support the Palestinian people. The Cabinet noted that Riyadh’s hosting of the fourth UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in September reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to multi-party global dialogue on emerging technologies and responsible AI use, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable digital future. The Cabinet also viewed the Kingdom’s successful hosting of the International Nuclear Science Olympiad and Saudi students’ top results in the competition as confirmation of its global leadership in scientific events and its commitment to empowering talented individuals in line with Saudi Vision 2030. The Cabinet ratified the United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts. The Cabinet approved the regulations of the Roads General Authority. It authorized the Saudi Center for Healthcare Accreditation to provide accreditation services to healthcare facilities located outside the Kingdom, in accordance with regulations approved by the Saudi Health Council.The Cabinet decided to dissolve the Jazan Mountainous Areas Development and Reconstruction Authority and transfer its responsibilities to the Strategic Office for the Development of the Jazan Region and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. The Council authorized the minister of healthor his deputy, to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the health sector with the Ministry of Health of Mozambique, and authorized president of the General Court of Auditor his deputy to discuss and sign a draft MoU on cooperation in accounting, auditing, and professional fields with the Accounts Chamber of Uzbekistan. The Cabinet approved a MoU for cooperation in the logistics sector between the Saudi Ministry of Transport and Logistics and the Ministry of Transport and Logistics of Morocco, and another MoU for cooperation on the peaceful uses of outer space between the Saudi Space Agency and the Japanese Cabinet Office, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. It approved a MoU on cooperation in halal affairs between the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Central Islamic Council of Thailand.
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