Saudi Arabia hails outcomes of Istanbul meet as key to collective deterrence and defense

JEDDAH — The Saudi Council of Ministers on Tuesday hailed the outcomes of the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan, describing it as an effective body for collective deterrence and defense. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session held in Jeddah.The Cabinet noted that the outcomes of the committee’s first meeting, held in Istanbul, Turkiye on Monday, included an agreement to take further institutional steps toward establishing a General Secretariat headquartered in Saudi Arabia and activating joint cooperation mechanisms. These measures are aimed at enhancing coordination and integration, ensuring effective deterrence and collective defense, and supporting international security and regional efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace. The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of recent consultations and discussions between Saudi Arabia and other nations, including the message received by the Crown Prince from Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tarique Rahman. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said that upon reviewing the outcomes of the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, the Cabinet reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s continued support for all efforts enhancing the organization’s role in serving Islamic causes and fulfilling the aspirations of Muslims for peace and stability.The Cabinet congratulated Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on his election as new OIC secretary general, expressing appreciation for the dedicated efforts of former Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha throughout his tenure.The Cabinet further highlighted Saudi Arabia’s active engagement in regional and international organizations, commending the national efforts that cemented its regional leadership with 21 healthy cities accredited by the World Health Organization. This milestone was achieved by embedding accreditation standards into institutional and developmental practices that place human well-being and quality of life at the core of sustainable development. The Cabinet also lauded the National Greening Program for receiving a United Nations award for World Restoration Flagships, a recognition that reflects the program’s environmental leadership and dedication to expanding vegetation cover, rehabilitating degraded lands, protecting ecosystems, and enhancing biodiversity.The Cabinet further noted Saudi Arabia’s re-election as Chair of the Executive Council of the Arab Administrative Development Organization, affirming its leading role in supporting joint Arab action and advancing human resource development and service quality across member states in line with shared aspirations. The Cabinet approved the Cooperative Law, and endorsed designation of May 12 of each year as Organ Donation Day. The Cabinet approved an agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and the Hellenic Republic on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, and service passports. It authorized the minister of finance and chairman of the board of directors of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority or his deputy to sign a draft agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Argentina for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and capital and the prevention of tax evasion and tax avoidance. The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the municipal and housing sectors between the Saudi Ministry of Municipalities and Housing and the Syrian Ministry of Local Administration and Environment; a MoU in the field of disability care between the Authority of People with Disability of Saudi Arabia and the National Agency for Persons with Disabilities of Djibouti; and another MoU between the King Fahd National Library and the National Library of Poland. The Council authorized the chairman of the board of directors of the Insurance Authority or his deputy to discuss and sign a draft MoU for cooperation on training and developing competencies between the authority and the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.