Saudi Crown Prince Urges Maximum Efficiency and Excellence in Serving Hajj Pilgrims
Jeddah, The Gulf Observer: Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the weekly Cabinet session in Jeddah on Tuesday, directing all relevant authorities to implement security, preventive, and organizational measures with the highest level of efficiency to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims arriving for the 2025 Hajj season.
The Crown Prince, speaking on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, warmly welcomed pilgrims from across the globe. He emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and ensuring a seamless pilgrimage experience, particularly highlighting the Makkah Route Initiative which facilitates the entry of pilgrims at international departure points.
Following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the Cabinet reviewed significant improvements in national economic indicators, increased investment flows, private sector engagement, and coordinated efforts among government sectors to optimize resource utilization in line with Vision 2030.
The Cabinet noted the record performance of non-oil exports in 2024 and the ongoing momentum in economic diversification. It also praised advancements in digital transformation, as reflected by the Kingdom’s top ranking among MENA countries for the third consecutive year in the 2024 Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index, issued by ESCWA.
Additionally, the Kingdom’s leap of 92 positions in the 2024 Open Data Inventory, issued by Open Data Watch, was recognized as a testament to its commitment to transparency, access to information, and the continuous improvement of statistical indicators.
Regionally, the Cabinet discussed the latest developments and reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to de-escalation, collaboration with friendly nations, and respect for international law to foster global stability and prosperity.
The Cabinet reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s dedication to mobilizing international support to end violence in Palestine, protect civilians, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance. It reiterated the Kingdom’s firm support for the two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace.
Condemning Israeli violations of Syria’s sovereignty, the Cabinet warned of the risks of further regional instability caused by continued aggression and extremist policies. It also called for an immediate cessation of the war in Sudan and urged all parties to work toward a Sudanese-led political solution that safeguards national unity and institutions.
On the domestic front, the Cabinet approved the National Strategy Governance Model and granted the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing authority to sell housing units to non-beneficiaries of state housing support, under regulatory frameworks.
Several international agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were also approved, including:
- A declaration of intent between the Saudi and French ministries on critical mineral cooperation.
- Authorizations for draft MoUs in mining with the U.S. Department of Energy and tourism cooperation with Belize.
- Agreements with Djibouti on investment protection, and with Estonia on SME development.
- A cooperation MoU with Bulgaria on tax administration.
- An MoU between Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan on vegetation development and combating desertification.
- A guiding model for international road cooperation MoUs and human trafficking prevention agreements.
These approvals reflect the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to enhance international collaboration, economic development, environmental sustainability, and human rights advocacy.
