Saudi Cabinet Welcomes the Start of Institutional and Operational Activation of the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance

His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, chaired the Council of Ministers meeting held in Jeddah yesterday. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the Council, at the outset of the session, reviewed the overall consultations and discussions held over the past few days between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and fraternal and friendly countries, aimed at enhancing the prospects for bilateral and multilateral cooperation and coordination across various fields, in order to serve common interests and mutual benefits, and to contribute to efforts aimed at consolidating security and stability at both the regional and international levels.

In this context, the Council of Ministers welcomed the beginning of the institutional and operational activation of the multinational maritime defense alliance launched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, following the completion of arrangements for its bodies and organizational and planning frameworks. This marks a new phase of joint work aimed at achieving full operational readiness and carrying out assigned tasks to enhance collective maritime security, protect freedom of navigation and maritime routes and straits, and support the continuity of international trade and global supply chains.

Saudi Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari clarified in his statement to SPA following the session that the Council reiterated its firm rejection of repeated Iranian attacks on commercial ships and tankers, describing them as a serious escalation and a direct threat to the security and safety of maritime navigation. He noted that these attacks constitute a grave violation of international laws and norms and a blatant challenge to the UN Security Council resolution mandating respect for the rights and freedom of navigation of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, and condemned any threats or actions that could obstruct that.

Regarding the enhancement of the Kingdom’s bilateral relations, the Council of Ministers considered the establishment of the Saudi-Sudanese Coordination Council as an extension of the two fraternal countries’ commitment to supporting joint coordination, within an institutional framework that contributes to developing areas of cooperation and integration through tangible outcomes, initiatives, projects, and targets that fulfill desired aspirations.

The Council highlighted the Kingdom’s success in presiding over the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, which saw the launch of a series of partnerships and initiatives supporting international cooperation in facing challenges related to land degradation, desertification, and drought, while enhancing water and food security, climate change adaptation, and developing innovative solutions to protect the environment and achieve sustainable development.

On the occasion of World Humanitarian Day, which falls on Wednesday, the Saudi Council of Ministers expressed pride in the Kingdom’s pioneering journey in this field and the prominent status it has established among the largest donor countries on the international stage, with a record rich in generosity, initiative, and building bridges of aid and assistance to needy countries and peoples, and providing relief to disaster victims around the world.

On the domestic front, the Council of Ministers reviewed the achievements and national successes of the education sector as the new academic year approaches, particularly in strengthening the adequacy of its organizational and operational systems, continuing the construction of educational institutions, expanding scientific experiences and expertise for students, developing the capabilities of teachers, and providing exemplary environments, pioneering curricula, and specialized programs that stimulate innovation and creativity, contributing to human capacity development and achieving the targets of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Saudi Council of Ministers also approved during its meeting a memorandum of understanding between the Kingdom and the State of Kuwait for cooperation in the field of public-private partnerships.

On another note, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the brazen attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which targeted the office of the Region’s Prime Minister, Masrour Barzani. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement cited by SPA that these attacks represent a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the fraternal Republic of Iraq and the integrity of its territory, reiterating the Kingdom’s complete rejection of all hostile operations targeting prominent and political figures, and anything that could undermine the security of Iraqi state institutions or destabilize their security and stability.

The statement reaffirmed the Kingdom’s firm position rejecting all forms of interference in the internal affairs of countries, violation of their sovereignty, and breach of the principles of good neighborliness and international law.