Chaired by the Crown Prince, the Cabinet approves naming 2026 the “Year of Artificial Intelligence”
The Cabinet held its session today – via video conference – chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister . At
the beginning of the session, His Royal Highness briefed the Cabinet on the content of the telephone calls that took place in recent days with the leaders of several brotherly and friendly countries, within the framework of ongoing consultations regarding the latest developments in the region and their repercussions on regional and international security and stability. The Cabinet
strongly condemned the heinous Iranian attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and a number of Arab, Islamic, and friendly countries, and the insistence on threatening security and stability and the blatant violation of international conventions and international law by attacking civilian targets, airports, and oil installations.
Protecting the security and sovereignty of the Kingdom
The Council affirmed the Kingdom's full right to take all necessary measures to protect its security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and to deter aggression. In this context, it commended the capabilities of the Saudi air defenses in intercepting and destroying hostile missiles and drones that attempted to target sites and facilities within the Kingdom. Following the session, His Excellency the Minister of Media, Mr. Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossari, stated to the Saudi Press Agency that the Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing role, stemming from its approach of supporting solidarity, cooperation, and coordination with its Gulf and Arab neighbors in addressing current regional challenges. The Cabinet expressed its appreciation for the statements issued by the joint ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union, and the ministerial meeting of the League of Arab States, which condemned the brutal Iranian attacks.
The Council then discussed several reports related to domestic affairs, noting the recommendations issued by the 33rd annual meeting of Their Royal Highnesses the Princes of the Regions. These recommendations focused primarily on supporting development opportunities, enhancing the capabilities of various sectors, and continuing to improve development services.
The Council addressed the state's keen interest in strengthening the charitable work system, consolidating the values of giving, and presenting a model to be emulated in the fields of philanthropy and solidarity. In this regard, it commended the success of the sixth edition of the National Campaign for Charitable Work, building upon the successes achieved in previous years.
The Cabinet also affirmed that celebrating Flag Day, which falls on Wednesday, March 11th, underscores the pride in its significance and symbolism in the history of the Saudi state—its founding, unification, and development—and in its embodiment of the Kingdom's established principles and national identity.
Key decisions
The Council reviewed the topics on its agenda, including those studied jointly with the Shura Council. It also reviewed the conclusions reached by the Council of Political and Security Affairs, the Council of Economic Affairs and Development, the General Committee of the Council of Ministers, and the Council of Ministers' Experts Committee on these matters. The Council resolved the following:
First: To authorize His Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs—or his designee—to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of understanding with the Malaysian side regarding political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.
Second: To approve a memorandum of understanding in the field of training between the Ministry of Sports of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Organization for Administrative Development.
Third: To approve a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the World Intellectual Property Organization concerning the publication of judicial rulings.
Fourth: To approve two memoranda of understanding for cooperation in the field of tourism between the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Hungarian Tourism Agency, and the Ministry of Tourism, Postal Services, Cooperation, Exhibitions, Information, and Tourism Investment Promotion of the Republic of San Marino.
Fifth: Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Economy and Planning of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Sustainable Development of the Kingdom of Bahrain for cooperation in the fields of sustainable development.
Sixth: Approval of two agreements between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and both the Syrian Arab Republic and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay concerning the promotion and protection of investments.
Seventh: Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the General Authority for Real Estate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the General Authority for Regulating the Real Estate Sector in the State of Qatar for cooperation in the real estate sector.
Eighth: Approval of the establishment of the Royal Institute for Anthropology and Cultural Studies.
Ninth: Approval of the regulations governing the King Fahd National Library.
Tenth: Approval of the “Muscat Document on Rules for the Protection of the Child During the Investigation Phase in the Gulf Cooperation Council States” as binding, which was adopted by the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council at its forty-fourth session held in Doha.
The year (2026) will be designated the Year of Artificial Intelligence
Eleventh: Approval to designate the year 2026 as the "Year of Artificial Intelligence."
Twelfth: Directives regarding several items on the Cabinet's agenda, including annual reports from the Asir Region Development Authority, the Human Resources Development Fund, the Social Development Bank, and the Saudi Export-Import Bank.
The most important promotions
Thirteenth: Approval of promotions to the positions of Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary, and to the fourteenth rank, as follows: Promotion of the following individuals at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: – Fahd bin Salem bin Faisal Abu Thnein to the position of Ambassador. – Khalil bin Ahmed bin Ali Falatah Admawi to the position of Ambassador. – Mutashar bin Ratiyan bin Zaal Al-Anzi to the position of Minister Plenipotentiary. – Ali bin Abdulrahman bin Ali Al-Othman to the position of Minister Plenipotentiary. – Ahlam bint Abdulrahman bin Abdulqader Yankasar to the position of Minister Plenipotentiary. – Meshal bin Mutaib bin Saad Al-Otaibi to the position of Minister Plenipotentiary. – Promotion of Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Nuwaisser to the position of Security Advisor at the fourteenth rank at the Ministry of Interior. – Promotion of Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Qaid to the position of Case Research Advisor at the fourteenth rank at the Public Security Directorate. - Bassam bin Manawer bin Jaaf Al-Anzi has been promoted to the position of Business Advisor at the 14th rank in the Ministry of the National Guard. - Dr. Fares bin Mohammed bin Hamoud Al-Aslami Al-Shammari has been promoted to the position of Business Advisor at the 14th rank in the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. - Ibrahim bin Saad bin Ibrahim Al-Arini Al-Subaie has been promoted to the position of Business Advisor at the 14th rank in the Ministry of Finance. - Ibrahim bin Nasser bin Mohammed Al-Thunayan has been promoted to the position of Financial Advisor at the 14th rank in the Ministry of Finance. - Hamad bin Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al-Ghutaimel has been promoted to the position of Economic Advisor at the 14th rank in the Ministry of Finance.
