King Salman chairs Cabinet session today

**Headline**: Saudi Cabinet Celebrates Founding Day, Global Agreements

**Intro**: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired by King Salman, commemorated the Kingdom’s Founding Day, highlighting its historic legacy and modern strides in diplomacy, sustainability, and technology. Key discussions included Gaza crisis solutions, hosting the 2027 World Water Forum, and Riyadh’s smart city achievements. Eleven international agreements were approved, spanning crime prevention, AI, education, and tax cooperation.

**Factbox**:
– Approved 11 deals: crime pact with Vietnam, Saudi-Brazil council, AI partnerships, tax treaty with Iceland, air transport accord with Portugal.
– Hosting 2027 World Water Forum; 3 cities join UNESCO learning network.
– Reaffirmed Gaza ceasefire call, humanitarian aid push.
– Riyadh’s smart cities forum boosts global sustainability rankings.

**Saudi Cabinet Commemorates Founding Day, Strengthens Global Ties, and Advances Strategic Initiatives**
*Riyadh, February 20, 2024*

Under the leadership of **Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud**, the Saudi Cabinet convened today, reflecting on the Kingdom’s profound three-century legacy ahead of **Founding Day** on February 22. The session highlighted Saudi Arabia’s enduring unity, security, and developmental strides, while underscoring its vision for a prosperous future rooted in cultural heritage.

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### **Celebrating Founding Day and National Legacy**
The Cabinet honored the historical significance of Founding Day, recognizing the resilience and unity that have propelled the nation’s progress. Ministers praised the unwavering dedication of past and present leaders in fostering stability and growth, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s commitment to building a future anchored in tradition and innovation.

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### **Strengthening International Partnerships**
The session spotlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance global collaboration. Key highlights included:
– **Dutch Prime Minister’s Visit**: The Cabinet commended the successful visit of the Netherlands’ Prime Minister and his discussions with **HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman**, focusing on bilateral partnerships in technology, sustainability, and trade.
– **Global Diplomatic Engagement**: Ministers reviewed ongoing initiatives to expand Saudi Arabia’s role in multilateral forums, including recent participation in the **2024 Munich Security Conference**.

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### **Advocating for Humanitarian Solutions in Gaza**
Reiterating its stance on the Gaza crisis, the Kingdom emphasized the urgent need for a **ceasefire**, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and accelerated humanitarian aid delivery. Saudi Arabia continues to lead regional and international efforts to address the humanitarian catastrophe, aligning with its broader commitment to global peace.

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### **Hosting the 2027 World Water Forum**
In a landmark achievement, Saudi Arabia secured the bid to host the **11th World Water Forum** in 2027. This milestone underscores the Kingdom’s leadership in addressing water scarcity and advancing sustainable development goals through innovation and international cooperation.

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### **Smart Cities and Urban Excellence**
The outcomes of the **World Smart Cities Forum (WSCF)** in Riyadh were celebrated, including the signing of multiple agreements to enhance urban sustainability. These initiatives align with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to rank **10 cities among the world’s top 50** by improving livability, digital infrastructure, and environmental resilience.

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### **National Achievements Across Sectors**
The Cabinet applauded recent milestones:
– **UNESCO Recognition**: Three Saudi cities—**Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al-Ahsa**—joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.
– **Tourism Growth**: Saudi destinations ranked among the fastest-growing globally, boosting Vision 2030’s economic diversification goals.
– **E-Government Leadership**: The Kingdom leads the MENA region in the **Electronic Government Services Index**, reflecting its digital transformation success.

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### **Key Agreements and Strategic Decisions**
The Cabinet ratified several international collaborations to bolster economic, cultural, and technological ties:
1. **Crime Prevention**: A Saudi-Vietnam agreement to combat transnational crime.
2. **Saudi-Brazil Coordination Council**: A framework for joint initiatives in trade and investment.
3. **AI Innovation**: MOUs between SDAIA and global entities to advance AI research.
4. **Cultural Partnerships**: Collaboration with the UK’s Royal College of Art and Uzbekistan’s Tashkent State University for Oriental Studies.
5. **Tax and Aviation Agreements**: Deals with Iceland (avoiding double taxation) and Portugal (air transport services).
6. **Education and Energy**: Partnerships with South Africa in vocational training and with the IAEA on nuclear energy workforce development.

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### **Conclusion**
Today’s Cabinet session reinforced Saudi Arabia’s dual focus on honoring its heritage and accelerating progress under Vision 2030. By fostering global partnerships, advocating for humanitarian causes, and driving innovation in critical sectors, the Kingdom continues to solidify its role as a leader on the regional and international stage.

*For further updates, follow official Saudi media channels.*

**15 FAQs on Saudi Cabinet Session Announcements (Feb 20, 2024):**

1. **What historical significance does Founding Day hold for Saudi Arabia, celebrated annually on February 22?**
*Recognizes the Kingdom’s 300-year legacy, unity, and progress, honoring the resilience of its leadership and citizens in building a prosperous future rooted in heritage.*

2. **What agreements emerged from the Dutch Prime Minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia?**
*Collaborative ventures across sectors were discussed, though specifics weren’t detailed; the visit emphasized strengthening bilateral ties and economic cooperation.*

3. **How is Saudi Arabia advocating for Gaza amid the humanitarian crisis?**
*The Kingdom demands an immediate ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, and increased aid access, prioritizing diplomatic efforts at international forums like the Munich Security Conference.*

4. **Why is Saudi Arabia hosting the 2027 World Water Forum significant?**
*It underscores the Kingdom’s leadership in global water sustainability and aligns with its Vision 2030 goals to address scarcity and promote innovative resource management.*

5. **What smart city initiatives were launched at the Riyadh World Smart Cities Forum?**
*MOUs focused on urban sustainability, tech integration, and quality-of-life projects, aiming to rank ten Saudi cities among the world’s top 50 smart cities.*

6. **Which Saudi cities joined UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities, and what benefits does this bring?**
*Three unnamed cities were added, enhancing access to global educational resources, fostering lifelong learning, and promoting cultural exchange through UNESCO frameworks.*

7. **How does Saudi Arabia’s tourism growth compare globally?**
*The Cabinet cited “significant growth rates” in major destinations, though exact figures weren’t provided, reflecting post-Vision 2030 diversification efforts.*

8. **What explains Saudi Arabia’s top MENA ranking in e-government services?**
*Investments in AI, digital infrastructure, and user-centric platforms like Absher and Muqeem streamlined public services, boosting efficiency and regional leadership.*

9. **What crimes will the Saudi-Vietnam cooperation agreement target?**
*Likely cybercrime, trafficking, and terrorism, though details are pending; the pact aims to enhance legal collaboration and intelligence sharing between the nations.*

10. **What objectives will the Saudi-Brazilian Coordination Council pursue?**
*Expected to focus on trade, energy, agriculture, and technology, strengthening diplomatic and economic ties under a structured bilateral framework.*

11. **How will SDAIA’s AI partnerships with international organizations drive innovation?**
*Collaborations aim to advance research, talent development, and ethical AI frameworks, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global hub for data-driven solutions.*

12. **What cultural projects will Saudi Arabia develop with the UK’s Royal College of Art?**
*Potential initiatives include heritage preservation, design innovation, and joint exhibitions, fostering cross-cultural creativity and education.*

13. **How does the Saudi-Iceland tax agreement impact expatriates and businesses?**
*It prevents double taxation on income, encouraging investment and reducing financial barriers for companies and workers operating between the two countries.*

14. **What benefits will the Saudi-Portugal air transport agreement provide?**
*Expanded flight routes, increased tourism, and cargo capacity, boosting economic and cultural connectivity under Open Skies-style terms.*

15. **How will the Saudi-South Africa vocational training MOU address skills gaps?**
*Aims to align curricula with industry needs, share expertise in technical education, and enhance workforce readiness in both nations through joint programs.*

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*FAQs derived from Cabinet announcements on diplomacy, development, and strategic partnerships, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 priorities.*

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**Conclusión:**
La sesión del Gabinete no solo refleja el legado histórico de Arabia Saudita en su *Founding Day*, sino que también consolida su visión de futuro como líder global en innovación, sostenibilidad y cooperación internacional. Desde avances en inteligencia artificial hasta la promoción de la paz en Gaza y el impulso a ciudades inteligentes, el Reino demuestra un compromiso integral con el desarrollo humano, tecnológico y diplomático. Estos esfuerzos, alineados con los objetivos de *Visión 2030*, posicionan al país como un actor clave en la construcción de un mundo más conectado, equitativo y próspero.

**Agradecimiento:**
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