Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Thursday, Jan 15, 2026

Cabinet commends Kingdom's launch of scientific mission with two Saudi astronauts on board to ISS

The Cabinet session, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at Al-Salam Palace on Tuesday, commended the Kingdom's launch of the scientific mission at the International Space Station (ISS), where two Saudi astronauts are on board.
The move is bound to contribute to attaining scientific results that serve humanity and help achieve the aspirations of this country and the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 in this area, the Cabinet said, while wishing the astronauts success in their mission and a safe return.

The Cabinet applauded the Kingdom's talented students who received awards at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2023), which is the result of continuous government efforts to improve the quality of education and bring it in line with the best global practices.

The Cabinet also tackled several reports on developments and events in the regional and international arenas, including updates on the situation in Sudan, and welcomed the Kingdom’s contribution to the signing of a short-term ceasefire agreement and the humanitarian arrangements made by the parties to the conflict, expressing hope that talks will bring about a permanent halt of hostilities and activate the political process.

Earlier, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the content of the message he received from the King of Bahrain regarding relations between the two countries.

The Cabinet also reviewed the results of the 32nd Arab Summit presided over by the Kingdom, which were positive and went over the Jeddah Declaration, which is bound to promote joint action and solidarity to face the challenges and difficulties that the Arab world is going through, and thus contribute to achieving the goals and aspirations for a promising future.

The Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom's constant keenness to unite the Arab world and interest in everything that would provide conditions for stability and prosperity in the region, particularly issues related to sustainable development in its various dimensions, including working on a number of initiatives aimed at advancing joint cooperation in the cultural, economic, social and environmental fields during the presidency of the current summit.

After the session, Minister of Media Salman Bin Yousef Al-Dosari said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the Cabinet was briefed on the meetings of the Crown Prince with the leaders of several Arab countries and with the president of Ukraine.

The Cabinet also reviewed the outcome of the fourth session of the Saudi-Algerian Political Consultation Committee and the fourth meeting of the Political, Security and Military Committee of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council, commending the steps taken to boost relations and saying that it was looking forward to continuing efforts to boost prospects of cooperation in various areas.

The Cabinet also said that the Kingdom’s improved indicators concerning the number of international tourists and revenues for 2022, as per the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is a reflection of the country's interest in promoting and developing this sector and raising its contribution to the GDP, in accordance with the Saudi Vision 2030.

The Cabinet authorized the minister of energy to sign a draft general agreement for the establishment of the Arab common market for electricity.

It approved a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Energy of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia regarding cooperation in the energy field.

It also approved a cooperation agreement between the government of Saudi Arabia and the government of Egypt in the field of combating crime.

The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the cultural field between the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).

It authorized the minister of culture to hold talks with the Indian side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the cultural field between the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Culture of India.

It approved a memorandum of understanding in the field of tourism between the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of Oman.

It authorized the minister of investment to hold talks with the Chilean side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Economy of Chile for cooperation in encouraging the direct investment.

The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding in the field of academic, medical, training and research services between Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University of Saudi Arabia and the General Command of the Bahrain Defense Force of Bahrain.

It authorized the minister of transport and logistics services to discuss with the Kuwaiti side a draft agreement between the government of Saudi Arabia and the government of Kuwait regarding the railway link project between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

It authorized the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Competition to discuss with the Omani side a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of promoting competition and combating monopolistic practices between the General Authority for Competition of Saudi Arabia and the Competition Protection and Monopoly Prevention Centre in Oman.

The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between the General Authority for Competition of Saudi Arabia and the Competition Authority of the Arab Republic of Egypt regarding cooperation in the field of promoting competition and combating monopolistic practice.

It authorized the minister of media, chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Commission for Audiovisual Media to discuss with the Azerbaijani side a draft memorandum of understanding between the General Commission for Audiovisual Media of Saudi Arabia and the Audiovisual Council of Azerbaijan in the field of audiovisual media.

It authorized the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to discuss with the GCC General Secretariat (Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States) regarding a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of training and educational work between the Education and Training Evaluation Commission of Saudi Arabia And the GCC General Secretariat (Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States).

The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding for cooperation and exchange of news between the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) of Saudi Arabia and the South African Government News Agency of the Republic of South Africa.

It approved the document of mechanisms and requirements for issuing visit and transit visas. It okayed the amendment of the Cabinet Resolution No. (94) dated 5/2/1442 AH issued regarding the controls for transferring students on scholarships outside the Kingdom to study inside the Kingdom.

The Cabinet approved the appointment of Dr. Saad Bin Mohammad Al Hamlan as a member representing the private sector on the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information.

It okayed the membership of Dr. Awad Bin Metrik Al-Juhani, Dr. Mohammad Bin Yaslam Shubraq, and Dr. Mohammad Bin Khalid Al-Saadoun in the Board of Directors of the National Center of Wildlife, among the specialists and experts in the field of work of the center.

The Cabinet approved the final accounts of the Human Resources Development Fund and Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, for the previous year.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Donald Trump Organization Unveils Championship Golf Course and Luxury Resort Project in Saudi Arabia
Inside Diriyah: Saudi Arabia’s $63.2 Billion Vision to Transform Its Historic Heart into a Global Tourism Powerhouse
Trump Designates Saudi Arabia a Major Non-NATO Ally, Elevating US–Riyadh Defense Partnership
Trump Organization Deepens Saudi Property Focus with $10 Billion Luxury Developments
There is no sovereign immunity for poisoning millions with drugs.
Mohammed bin Salman’s Global Standing: Strategic Partner in Transition Amid Debate Over His Role
Saudi Arabia Opens Property Market to Foreign Buyers in Landmark Reform
The U.S. State Department’s account in Persian: “President Trump is a man of action. If you didn’t know it until now, now you do—do not play games with President Trump.”
CNN’s Ranking of Israel’s Women’s Rights Sparks Debate After Misleading Global Index Comparison
Saudi Arabia’s Shifting Regional Alignment Raises Strategic Concerns in Jerusalem
OPEC+ Holds Oil Output Steady Amid Member Tensions and Market Oversupply
Iranian Protests Intensify as Another Revolutionary Guard Member Is Killed and Khamenei Blames the West
President Trump Says United States Will Administer Venezuela Until a Secure Leadership Transition
Delta Force Identified as Unit Behind U.S. Operation That Captured Venezuela’s President
Trump Announces U.S. Large-Scale Strike on Venezuela, Declares President Maduro and Wife Captured
Saudi-UAE Rift Adds Complexity to Middle East Diplomacy as Trump Signals Firm Leadership
OPEC+ to Keep Oil Output Policy Unchanged Despite Saudi-UAE Tensions Over Yemen
Saudi Arabia and UAE at Odds in Yemen Conflict as Southern Offensive Deepens Gulf Rift
Abu Dhabi ‘Capital of Capital’: How Abu Dhabi Rose as a Sovereign Wealth Power
Diamonds Are Powering a New Quantum Revolution
Trump Threatens Strikes Against Iran if Nuclear Programme Is Restarted
Why Saudi Arabia May Recalibrate Its US Spending Commitments Amid Rising China–America Rivalry
Riyadh Air’s First Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Completes Initial Test Flight, Advancing Saudi Carrier’s Launch
Saudi Arabia’s 2025: A Pivotal Year of Global Engagement and Domestic Transformation
Saudi Arabia to Introduce Sugar-Content Based Tax on Sweetened Drinks from January 2026
Saudi Hotels Prepare for New Hospitality Roles as Alcohol Curbs Ease
Global Airports Forum Highlights Saudi Arabia’s Emergence as a Leading Aviation Powerhouse
Saudi Arabia Weighs Strategic Choice on Iran Amid Regional Turbulence
Not Only F-35s: Saudi Arabia to Gain Access to the World’s Most Sensitive Technology
Saudi Arabia Condemns Sydney Bondi Beach Shooting and Expresses Solidarity with Australia
Washington Watches Beijing–Riyadh Rapprochement as Strategic Balance Shifts
Saudi Arabia Urges Stronger Partnerships and Efficient Aid Delivery at OCHA Donor Support Meeting in Geneva
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Drives Measurable Lift in Global Reputation and Influence
Alcohol Policies Vary Widely Across Muslim-Majority Countries, With Many Permitting Consumption Under Specific Rules
Saudi Arabia Clarifies No Formal Ban on Photography at Holy Mosques for Hajj 2026
Libya and Saudi Arabia Sign Strategic MoU to Boost Telecommunications Cooperation
Elon Musk’s xAI Announces Landmark 500-Megawatt AI Data Center in Saudi Arabia
Israel Moves to Safeguard Regional Stability as F-35 Sales Debate Intensifies
Cardi B to Make Historic Saudi Arabia Debut at Soundstorm 2025 Festival
U.S. Democratic Lawmakers Raise National Security and Influence Concerns Over Paramount’s Hostile Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Hackers Are Hiding Malware in Open-Source Tools and IDE Extensions
Traveling to USA? Homeland Security moving toward requiring foreign travelers to share social media history
Wall Street Analysts Clash With Riyadh Over Saudi Arabia’s Deficit Outlook
Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Cement $1 Trillion-Plus Deals in High-Profile White House Summit
Saudi Arabia Opens Alcohol Sales to Wealthy Non-Muslim Residents Under New Access Rules
U.S.–Saudi Rethink Deepens — Washington Moves Ahead Without Linking Riyadh to Israel Normalisation
Saudi Arabia and Israel Deprioritise Diplomacy: Normalisation No Longer a Middle-East Priority
Saudi Arabia Positions Itself as the Backbone of the Global AI Era
As Trump Deepens Ties with Saudi Arabia, Push for Israel Normalization Takes a Back Seat
Thai Food Village Debuts at Saudi Feast Food Festival 2025 Under Thai Commerce Minister Suphajee’s Lead
×