RIYADH: King Salman said his recent visit and talks with Jordan’s King Abdallah and signing agreements with Jordan have embodied strong brotherly ties between the two countries.
Presiding over the Cabinet session at Yamamah Palace here Monday, King Salman also said these talks have proved a willingness of both countries to push ties to higher levels to enhance security and stability in the region and the world.
King Salman also expressed thanks to the Jordanian government and people for their efforts in making the 28th Arab Summit a success and, in this context, appreciated the positive results of the summit.
The Cabinet said in a statement that appreciated the positive results of the 28th Arab Summit and, affirmed that Amman Declaration has reflected keenness of all to achieving the joint Arab action toward problems and challenges facing the Arab world.
The Cabinet also touched on the statement issued at the end of the 142nd session of the GCC ministerial council in Riyadh, which focused on the long-standing stances of the GCC countries on topics related to GCC joint work and the latest regional and global developments.
In other matters, the Cabinet condemned the announcement of the Israeli occupational authorities on the establishment of new settlement in the West Bank, construction of new 2,000 settlement units and its seizure of 977 acres of lands in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Cabinet expressed the Kingdom’s continued stances toward the Palestinian cause and its repeated calls on the international community to compel Israel to cease all its arbitrary and racist actions against the Palestinians.
The Cabinet also expressed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of the terrorist act in the Pakistani city of Parachinar.
At the local level, the Cabinet expressed thanks and appreciation to King Salman for his sincere efforts over the teaching and memorization of the Holy Qur’an inside and outside the Kingdom and his care for orphans and other humanitarian works.
The Cabinet also appreciated efforts of security forces in tracking terror elements and those trying to tamper with Kingdom’s security. It also lauded the success of security forces in raiding a farm in Awamiyah, Qatif Province, and foiling their plans for terror acts.
Later, the Cabinet approved a series of decisions:
The Cabinet authorized the minister of education to discuss with Jordan’s minister of education a scientific and educational cooperation program between the ministries of education in the two countries.
The Cabinet approved a memo of understanding on labor between the Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development and the Moroccan Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs.
The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Transport and Board Chairman of General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to sign agreements between the Saudi government and governments of Spain, Ireland and Hungary in air transport services.
The Cabinet approved two agreements on air transport services between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Côte d’Ivoire and Azerbaijan separately.
The Cabinet amended laws pertaining to military officers, allowing air force pilots and weapons operators to receive a 35 percent rise on basic salary, said in a statement. The increase for officers flying fighter jets and operating their weapons systems will be 60 percent.
The Cabinet approved that the Saudi Arabian General Investments Authority (SAGIA) assumes the presidency of the joint Saudi-Canadian committee instead of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Amman talks embodied strong ties between Jordan and Saudi Arabia: King Salman
Amman talks embodied strong ties between Jordan and Saudi Arabia: King Salman
Saudi minister holds talks with Chinese, EU officials on climate, global issues
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir received China's Special Envoy for Climate Change Liu Zhenmin in Riyadh on Sunday.
During the meeting, they discussed strengthening cooperation in climate action and environmental conservation, along with other topics of mutual interest.
Both officials also reviewed the Kingdom’s ongoing initiatives and achievements in this field, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In a separate meeting, Al-Jubeir received the deputy secretary-general for political affairs at the European External Action Service, Olof Skoog, and his accompanying delegation.
The meeting reviewed international developments and the efforts being made to address them, in addition to discussing topics of mutual interest.
Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid to deliver Arafah sermon during Hajj 2025
- The day of Arafah (the 9th of Dhul Hijjah) is widely considered the pinnacle of Hajj, marking the most important day for pilgrims
- The sermon is delivered from Masjid Al-Nimra on Mount Arafat before Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed together on Dhul Hijjah 9
RIYADH: Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid will deliver the Arafah sermon during this year’s Hajj, the Presidency of Religious Affairs announced on Sunday.
The day of Arafah (the 9th of Dhul Hijjah) is widely considered the pinnacle of Hajj, marking the most important day for pilgrims. Muslims around the world who are not performing the pilgrimage mark the day by fasting and engaging in worship.
The sermon is delivered from Masjid Al-Nimra on Mount Arafat before Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed together on Dhul Hijjah 9.
Head of Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the appointment.
The appointment underscores the Kingdom’s global religious leadership, reflects its continued support for religious institutions, and exemplifies the leadership’s care for the two holy mosques, the presidency said.
Saudi deputy FM receives EU official in Riyadh
- A meeting was also held as part of the third round of political consultations between Saudi Arabia and the EEAS
RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received Olof Skoog, deputy secretary-general for political affairs at the European External Action Service, and his accompanying delegation, in Riyadh on Sunday.
During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the Kingdom and the EU and other topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.
A meeting was also held as part of the third round of political consultations between the Kingdom and the EEAS. Senior officials from both sides participated in the session, chaired by Raed bin Khalid Qarmli, director-general of the general directorate of policy planning at the Saudi Foreign Ministry, with Skoog representing the European side.
Pakistani ambassador to Saudi Arabia meets with CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority
- The meeting focused on strengthening Saudi-Pakistani ties in the field of heritage and culture
RIYADH: Ahmad Farooq, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, met with Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority in Riyadh.
The meeting focused on strengthening Saudi-Pakistani ties in the field of heritage and culture, the Pakistani Embassy wrote in a post on X on Sunday.
The ambassador presented Inzerillo with a painting from his own Diriyah-themed series, created to celebrate the Kingdom’s history and heritage.
He also presented him with a made-in-Pakistan FIFA-standard football “symbolizing Pakistan’s craftsmanship and the mutual spirit of friendship.”
Saudi reserve engages pilgrims on biodiversity
- Pilgrims were welcomed at Al-Shuqaiq in the Jouf region, where more than 4,000 gifts reflecting the reserve’s history and conservation efforts were distributed
RIYADH: Hajj pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom by land were introduced to projects and initiatives of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority.
The initiative aims to enhance biodiversity, restore vegetation and breed endangered species to create a more sustainable natural environment.
The authority also distributed educational brochures to raise awareness about environmental preservation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Pilgrims were welcomed at Al-Shuqaiq in the Jouf region, where more than 4,000 gifts reflecting the reserve’s history and conservation efforts were distributed.
Visitors were informed about the reserve’s environmental heritage, biodiversity, and commitment to sustainable ecological stewardship, the SPA added.
The authority works to preserve biodiversity by protecting habitats and creating safe environments for wildlife and plants to thrive.
Its achievements include planting more than 2.4 million trees, scattering four tonnes of native seeds and rehabilitating 250,000 hectares of degraded land.
The reserve hosts more than 290 documented bird species — about 58 percent of those recorded in the Kingdom — and includes five internationally recognized important bird areas.
Covering 130,700 sq. kilometers, the King Salman Reserve is the largest natural terrestrial reserve in the Middle East, spanning four administrative regions: Jouf, Hail, Northern Borders, and Tabuk.
