Saudi Cabinet Approves Four Intellectual Property Laws, Extends Rural Development Programme to 2032
RIYADH, October 20 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet approved four intellectual property laws and extended the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Programme through the end of 2032 during a session chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Tuesday.
The laws cover patents and utility models, new plant varieties, integrated circuit layout designs and designs.
The Cabinet also approved a headquarters agreement with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research to open an office in Saudi Arabia, alongside a cybersecurity memorandum between the National Cybersecurity Authority and the UNITAR office.
Regional security and its economic consequences were also on the agenda. The Cabinet reviewed Saudi diplomatic efforts to limit the effects of conflict on global energy security, international trade, supply chains and navigation, describing their protection as a shared responsibility requiring international cooperation.
It welcomed the UN Security Council members’ statement condemning Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian facilities, airports and energy infrastructure, as well as continuing threats to shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.
The Cabinet highlighted the statement’s call for full implementation of Resolution 2216 and subsequent resolutions, and cooperation to prevent the Houthis from obtaining weapons and other support.
It also welcomed the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s decision to establish a council of cybersecurity ministers, with its general secretariat and executive office based in Riyadh.
On the domestic economy, the Cabinet praised recommendations from the Riyadh Economic Forum and highlighted the 33.5% rise in foreign direct investment in 2025.
Other approvals included a memorandum between Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Financial Intelligence and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and another between the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and Russia’s State Institute of Drugs and Good Practices.
The Cabinet separately authorized negotiations and signing of proposed memoranda with Australian bodies covering nuclear safety, radiation protection, nuclear security and non-proliferation. It also authorized the tourism minister or a delegate to negotiate and sign a proposed tourism cooperation memorandum with Syria.
Source: SPA.
